Interview with Jane Galvin – Participate OT

Occupational Therapist Jane Galvin began her association with Guardian Living Australia when she worked with tenants of our first apartment project in Richmond. She works to assess participants and customise dwellings to their needs, and works alongside Chris who installs the automation.

“Guardian does a really amazing job at the automation of lifts. The lift recognises the wheelchair user through bluetooth technology and takes them to their apartment  floor. It means that people with limited hand function can live very independently because they can have bluetooth access to the building, the lifts and their apartment, so they don’t need additional support and can come and go as they please. This really sets Guardian’s dwellings apart from other properties.”

In the past, Jane was involved in working with architects in the layout of the apartment. More recently, her expertise has been in assisting people to find independent housing solutions or help support the transition into new housing.

“All of the Assistive Technology Solutions in the apartment can be used hands-free. For everyone I have worked with to move into a Guardian apartment, the availability of technology to suit their needs in every aspect of the dwelling, as well as the onsite support model has been life-changing.”

Jane is excited to continue working with Guardian because of a demonstrated commitment by the company to putting in infrastructure up-front which supports technology. The availability of technology shows that Guardian is committed to achieving individual outcomes for people to live independently.

Mark, a tenant at Moonee Ponds is one of the grateful beneficiaries of Jane’s hard work

“From all the struggles I’ve made it through. it’s like my apartment and the personal space I now have is the reward.”

Jane is the Principal OT at Participate OT in Melbourne.