Endorsements

Occupational Therapy in Older Persons Mental Health Course

“Appreciate the work that you have put into developing this.

I have forwarded onto the MH for older people clinicians and their respective line managers, and giving my endorsement to attend as this has been a hard-to-recruit area and we have also struggled to recruit clinicians with the right skill set historically on our inpatient MH for older persons unit.

Good luck with running the course.”

— Varsha Davendra
Clinical Director Allied Health Scientific & Technical | Medicine & Community Health Services

“Michael collaborated with me in the treatment team for almost three years on the older persons MH unit at North Shore Hospital (Kingsley Mortimer Unit). He is a well-respected and experienced clinician, educator and facilitator.

I highly recommend this course as participants will be exposed to up-to-date content and excellent discussion ”

— Dr Gavin Pilkington
Psychogeriatrician | Kingsley Mortimer Unit, North Shore Hospital

“I have had the privilege of presenting in an occupational therapy conference organised by Michael in 2016.

The conference focused on the needs of older adults with dementia and mental health issues; it was well organised and attended by occupational therapists from across the motu.

Michael is committed to improving the care of older people.

This course will be an opportunity for occupational therapists to connect and further define their role in caring for older adults with dementia and mental health issues. I highly recommend it.”

— Associate Professor Gary Cheung
Old Age Psychiatrist | The University of Auckland

“I am so glad you are taking your wonderful introduction course, Occupational Therapy Working with the Elderly, to a new level. The original was a powerhouse to set up and use a variety of tools that lend themselves to working both individually and in a group.”

Adelia Sadler was the first person to sign up in 2023. She was an experienced therapist who was new to older persons’ MH

“I completed the course in 2023. I remember the course being really helpful for my occupational therapy MHSOP role that I was employed in. I was working within the unit in South Auckland at that time. There was only 1x FTE for OT in the unit so this information and education really helped with understanding assessment tools for older peoples. I would also say the course is helpful for adult services in terms of transfer of knowledge and information for older people in adult services. Some of the information provided would have assisted my role as a case manager when I was working in an adult community mental health service. The value this course gives to older peoples is important and the focus is always on this population group.

In saying this, research shows that tangata whaiora are being diagnosed with dementia earlier. Plus for Maori and Pacific people, the research also shows that there is a higher prevalence in this population group. It is unclear if this is due to lifestyle choices (ie. alcohol etc) or health conditions (ie. heart problems, diabetes etc) that impact on a persons wellbeing. I am in full support of this course to continue as no other course is being delivered for this specific population group. In my conversations with our new grad group, one clinician who is currently working in older peoples health recognised that the research for older peoples mental health is limited in NZ. We should always treasure our older peoples and their wisdom and knowledge.

Thank you for offering this course to support clinicians in older peoples health. I wish you the best with the course moving forward.”

— Iris Feilo-Naepi (NZROT)

Clinical Director Allied Health | Project Manager for Peer Support Specialists in the Emergency Department, MMH |
Mental Health & Addiction Services | Counties Manukau Health

Functional & Cognitive Assessments & OT Report Writing

“I am very happy to note that you are planning to do a wonderful course on Occupational Therapy course and wishing you both for conducting the course.

I am sure the course content will be very useful to Occupational therapists and the participants are sure to benefit from both of you with 25+ years of experience in clinical practice, with leadership roles and having mentored so many OT's and OT students over the years who have also done so well.

You are very valued members of our Multi disciplinary team and I have learnt so much over the years from the two of you and value your expertise with our older adults, stroke patients and in the integrated stroke unit currently.

All the very best.”

— Dr Yogini Ratnasabapathy
Consultant Geriatrician

“I am delighted to note that you are embarking again on delivering a comprehensive One Day Occupational Therapy Course. This time aiming to develop skills in delivering robust occupational therapy assessments and reports for occupational therapists working with older adults in acute , rehab or community settings. Very impressive outline of practical topics to be covered and I am convinced that it will be an excellent learning experience for the participants.

I have had the pleasure of working closely with you over the last 20-25 years and have witnessed your dedication to teaching and expertise in comprehensive Occupational therapy assessment. I personally have learned a lot from your comprehensive assessments, using different tools to assess complex patient’s cognition, capacity and safety.

You have excellent experience in Occupational therapy practice as senior therapists and have shown strong knowledge and incredible teaching skills in this area. I am sure this course will turn out to be as successful as your last comprehensive course. I would be delighted to endorse this course. 

Best wishes.”

— Dr Geetha Mylvaganam
Consultant Geriatrician