How an Occupational Therapy Home Assessment Can Help You Live at Home for Longer
Most people feel comfortable and safe in their homes, which are often filled with things we’ve gathered and precious memories. It’s no wonder we usually want to keep living in our own homes as we age – which health professionals call ‘ageing in place’.
But as we get older, our homes don’t always suit our changing physical needs. Narrow doorways can be difficult to navigate with a walking frame, for example, and steps can get hard to climb. But issues like these don’t have to mean a move. An occupational therapy home assessment can help you or someone you care about stay safe and independent at home for as long as possible.
Through the Support at Home program under My Aged Care, eligible Australians can access home modifications designed to make their living spaces safer and more accessible. Occupational therapists play a central role in this process by identifying potential risks, recommending solutions, and providing the clinical evidence needed to support funding applications.
Why home safety matters more as we age
Falls are the number one reason people need to be hospitalised for an injury in Australia, and the leading cause of injury-related death.ⁱ Often, it’s older adults who are affected. People who are 65 years of age or over are almost 12 times more likely to be hospitalised because of a fall than people aged 25 to 44 years.ⁱⁱ
Most falls happen because the person trips, slips or stumbles. These injuries can often occur in and around the home during activities like showering, hanging washing or moving around at night. Falls on and from stairs are common, too.
A safer home environment can make it easier to:
- shower and toilet independently
- prepare meals
- move safely between rooms
- access outdoor areas
- get in and out of the home
- keep taking part in family life and social activities.
What is an occupational therapist home assessment?
Occupational therapists (OTs) focus on enabling people to do what they need and want to do – from everyday tasks like dressing and cooking to work and hobbies. During a home assessment, they look at how you function within your home environment.
What happens during a home assessment?
The OT will visit your home and talk to you about your daily routines, goals, and any struggles you might be facing. They’ll look at how you perform everyday tasks and identify issues that might affect your safety or independence.
- mobility and balance – e.g. how you get in and out of bed and move around the house
- strength and physical function – such as your ability to shower and get meals
- vision and sensory needs – e.g. whether you wear glasses or hearing aids
- existing equipment and supports – such as walking aids or grab rails
- home layout – e.g. whether you have stairs, narrow hallways or other barriers
- safety risks – such as uneven surfaces, trip hazards or a steep yard
- personal goals and preferences.
Home modifications can help you stay safe and independent in your own space
What are home modifications?
A home modification is anything that changes your environment to make it easier and safer to live in. Some home modifications are simple and inexpensive, while others involve larger structural changes.
Common home modifications recommended by occupational therapists
While home modifications are tailored to each person’s needs and circumstances, there are some common occupational therapist recommendations.
Grab rails and handrails
Correct placement is critical. Occupational therapists assess exactly where they’re needed, ensuring rails are positioned for maximum safety and effectiveness.
Bathroom modifications
Bathrooms can be slippery, making them a risky place for falls among older adults. An occupational therapist may recommend modifications such as:
- a hobless or step-free shower
- grab rails
- hand-held shower head
- shower seating
- raised toilet seats
- non-slip surfaces.
These changes can help to reduce fall risk while supporting independence with personal care.
Ramps and access improvements
Ramps, pathway improvements, and threshold modifications can improve access to and from the home, making daily life easier and safer.
Kitchen modifications
Preparing meals is an important part of independent living. Occupational therapists may recommend adjustments that improve accessibility and reduce physical strain, such as:
- lowered benches
- pull-out shelving
- improved lighting
- safer appliance placement
- lever tap sets.
Larger structural changes
- widening doorways – to allow room for wheelchairs and walking aids
- reconfiguring bathrooms – to make them more accessible with mobility aids
- improving access between levels – with a lift or motorised stair-climber, for example.
Getting modifications through My Aged Care
The Support at Home program can provide funding specifically for home alterations. This is delivered through a pathway called the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) scheme.
This funding is completely separate to your quarterly care budget that pays for things like cleaning or personal care. This means you don’t need to draw on the funds you need for daily support to make your house safer.
How occupational therapists support My Aged Care funding applications
Under Australian Government requirements, any moderate or major home changes need to be clinically justified. In other words, they need evidence showing why the modification is needed and how it will improve your safety, independence, or function. Your occupational therapist will provide this evidence.
In this report, the therapist will outline:
- your current functional abilities
- identified risks and barriers
- recommended modifications
- clinical justification for each recommendation
- the expected outcomes and benefits.
Under the Support at Home program, the clinical assessment and prescription your OT provides are classed as clinical supports. This means they are fully government-funded with no out-of-pocket costs for you.
The Assistive Technology and Home Modifications scheme provides funding for home modifications
Future-proofing your home
Occupational therapists consider both your current function and how this might change in the future. This approach can help you avoid the need for repeated modifications and ensure investments provide long-term value.
For example, someone experiencing mild mobility difficulties now might benefit from modifications that allow them to use a mobility aid later, helping them remain safely at home for longer.
Or for someone with a progressive condition, it’s better to install a ramp or thoroughly redesign the bathroom now, rather than having to do a second renovation down the line.
Common misconceptions about home modifications
Several misconceptions sometimes discourage people from seeking support.
Home modifications are only for people who use wheelchairs
While wheelchair accessibility is important for some, many modifications are designed for people who just want to feel safer and more confident at home. Simple changes can make a big difference for people with any degree of mobility limitation.
I need to wait until things get worse
Many people delay seeking assistance because they feel like they’re managing ‘well enough.’ And some people are hesitant about installing modifications, seeing them as a sign of ageing or frailty.
But the truth is, early intervention usually leads to better outcomes. Dealing with risks before an injury occurs can help maintain independence and prevent more serious problems later.
It can help to think of assistive technology for seniors as tools that empower you to stay safe in your home – and give your children and caregivers greater peace of mind.
Modifications will make my home look clinical
Modern accessibility products and design solutions are often attractive, discreet, and seamlessly integrated into the home environment.
How Active Ability can help
At Active Ability, our occupational therapists work across Sydney to identify risks and recommend modifications that support ageing safely at home.
In our occupational therapy home assessments, we take the time to understand your goals, daily routines, and living environment. Then we provide clear recommendations and the supporting documentation you need for My Aged Care funding.
If you or a loved one is finding it harder to do everyday things or has concerns about safety at home, we’re here to help. Our caring OTs focus on supporting people to feel safe, confident, and comfortable in the place they call home.
Call us on (02) 8678 7874, email [email protected] or complete our contact form to find out more.
