We can visit you at home or see you in the clinic
Equipment
We provide free-standing equipment, rails and ramps to help you save energy, stay steady and keep independent. Equipment isn’t going to take away your independence – it does exactly the opposite: it’s about keeping you safe at home for as long as possible.
We can also help you source specialist equipment from providers around Australia within our network and can guide you on accessing grants and funding.
Fatigue Management
Fatigue is the most commonly reported symptom of cancer and side effect of treatment. It’s also a symptom people just 'put up with' because they don’t think there is anything they can do about it. This is not the case!
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Occupational Therapy will help you understand and address your fatigue to limit the impact it has on your daily activities and get back to doing what’s important to you.
Seating & Positioning
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Sarcomas, anal-rectal tumours, gynaecological tumours: custom seating, cushions and positioning devices to improve comfort, minimise the effects of radiotherapy and provide support
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Wheelchairs and recliners: advice and prescription of specialist chairs to help manage cancer pain, fatigue and improve safety
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Hospital beds, pressure-relieving mattresses: advice and prescription of equipment for people who are less mobile
Return To Work
Personalised return to work programs considering your symptoms; liaison with employers; reports and recommendations in keeping with current workplace legislation.
Pre & Post Treatment Rehab
Provided in your own home or in the clinic:
Pre-hab
Programs to build up your functional endurance prior to starting treatment to help you better cope with the side-effects. An individualised Pre-hab program may also help you access treatments that require you to be more mobile and able than you currently are. This is called ‘improving your performance status’ and may make you eligible for different treatments or trial drugs. Programs focus on functional rehabilitation from a cognitive and physical point of view.
Rehab
Programs to re-condition and build your ability to manage more of your day-to-day activities after you’ve been through surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, an episode of illness or a hospital stay. Programs focus on a mix of physical or cognitive (thinking) symptoms i.e. managing 'chemo brain'.
NDIS Reports & Referrals
​WACOT can assess and provide reports and referrals to support you in accessing the NDIS, government funded care and equipment from 'My Aged Care', ACROD and other services.
Peripheral Neuropathy Rehab
​Some chemotherapy agents have a damaging effect on your peripheral nerves, that is the nerves in your hands and feet. In some cases, therapy can help facilitate the recovery of the nerves and reduces the pain, numbness, tingling and sensitivity that occurs. Other times the damage is permanent but therapy can still alleviate the disability caused and help limit the impact of the neuropathy.
WACOT uses a combination of approaches to help you overcome chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in keeping with the latest scientific evidence.​
Falls Prevention
​Cancer and it's treatments can place you at high risk of falls, however they are often preventable. Having a fall that causes an injury can be a major setback for cancer patients as cuts and broken bones can take a toll if you're immunocompromised, weak or in a poor healing stage.
Falls are one of the most common reasons patients with cancer get admitted to hospital and can cause a delay in treatment. Don't wait until you have had a fall to get a falls prevention review in order to minimise your risk. Whether it be strengthening exercises, rails, ramps, wheelchairs or practicing safer ways to do things, everyone can benefit from a falls prevention review.
