For people like Kath Gardiner being able to see an Occupational Therapist just a few minutes from her home in Te Teko has been a godsend .

Kath ( left ) relaxing at home in her modified armchair , organised by Occupational Therapist Julie Mallen ( right ).

Kath by her own admission isn ’ t as sprightly as she used to be . In recent years the little things that most of us take for granted like getting up out of an armchair and getting up off the toilet have gradually become quite tricky .

“ My knees aren ’ t what they used to be . I ’ ve got bruises on my arms where I ’ ve knocked myself trying to brace myself to stop myself from falling over .

“ Like most women , I ’ m not one to moan , I just accepted that ’ s the way it is . I didn ’ t realise there was support available and I could do something about it .”

But that all changed six months ago when Kath found out about a new health service being provided by the Bay of Plenty District Health Board working with her local health service He Tohunga Ora mō Rangitaiki .

Every week either Community Occupational Therapist Julie Mallen or Physiotherapist Lois Watson , from the BOPDHB ’ s Community Allied Health Service is at the Te Teko Health Clinic providing assessment , support and advice aimed at keeping people healthy in their homes .

“ Our aim is to support people to live safely in their homes . Falls prevention is a big issue . By making slight modifications to a person ’ s home , or supporting them with mobility equipment or an exercise programme we can make a huge difference to the quality of a person ’ s life . That can reduce the risk of them having a serious fall which can lead to a lengthy hospital stay ,” says Julie .

Julie has been working as an Occupational Therapist in people ’ s homes for nine years . Referrals are received by Te Koru Therapy & Rehab at Whakatāne Hospital direct from the public or other health professionals .

As you do , working in a small community , Julie got to know some locals quite well and realised many people were unaware that occupational therapy or physiotherapy home support existed .

“ For example I found out about a person who ’ d been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis twelve years ago and had not been referred to Allied Health . That was a turning point for me ; I thought there must be a better way .”

As a result Julie built relationships with staff at He Tohunga Ora mō Rangitaiki to establish an

Allied Health drop in clinic following patients up at home at a later date if needed .

Julie and Lois work closely with the other health professionals at the clinic who send patients their way .

It ’ s through the clinic that Te Teko woman Louise Te Maipi has been able to access the support she desperately needed to continue caring for her elderly uncle , Koata Rota who is living across the road from her with dementia and diabetes .

“ It got to the point where caring for uncle was taking a toll on my own health . It was almost becoming a daily occurrence , having to rally-up support from some young fit healthy relatives to help me move uncle because he ’ d fallen down or got stuck inside ,” says Louise .

Aside from carrying out occupational therapy , physiotherapy or women ’ s health issues assessments , as part of the BOPDHB ’ s Community Allied Health Service , Julie and Lois also refer their patients to other support they may need , such as a social worker , dietitian , podiatrist , speech-language therapist , Maori Health or Support Net ( Needs Assessment and Service Coordination Service ( NASC ).

“ It ’ s about working out what support each patient needs to keep them healthy in their home . We also refer to specialist health services , as well as other support agencies for things like budgetary advice ,” says Julie .

In Louise ’ s case this led to her getting regular home help , personal care and carer support days to back her in her role as caregiver and uncle being seen by a Geriatrician and other health professionals .

“ It ’ s been a weight off having that extra

Left to right : Occupational Therapist Julie Mallen , Koata Rota , Louise Te Maipi and Physiotherapist Lois Watson outside He Tohunga Ora mō Rangitaiki , Te Teko .

support . In my whānau we look after our own . I know there will come a time where we may have to face coming up with a different living arrangement for uncle . But right now with additional support , we ’ re coping .”

Although Julie and Lois have only been working from the Te Teko Health Clinic for six months , word has spread in the community and they are now seeing people from Edgecumbe and Kawerau .

Health Centres at Matata and Waimana are also keen for a similar service which locals can access on their doorstep .