Support at Home occupational therapy focuses on practical activities an older person wants or needs to manage at home. An OT can assess the routine, environment and assistance involved, then discuss recommendations linked to the person's goals.
Ergo Therapy Group provides in-home OT across Melbourne and Western Sydney. If you have a Support at Home provider, we can discuss the assessment purpose and how the service would fit with your current arrangements. Eligibility, available funding, booking and service scope need to be confirmed for the individual enquiry.
How OT fits into Support at Home
My Aged Care identifies occupational therapy as a clinical support within the Support at Home program. Access depends on the person's assessment and approved services. Having a particular difficulty does not automatically mean a service or equipment item is already funded.
The useful first step is to discuss the concern with your provider or seek advice about the aged care assessment pathway. An OT referral should describe the activities that are difficult and what the person wants to retain or improve.
Practical goals for an assessment
A goal might involve using the bathroom, preparing food, managing household routines or accessing the home comfortably. The therapist can explore what happens during the task and whether the environment contributes to the difficulty.
Examples of information to share include:
- Tasks that have become tiring, uncomfortable or hard to organise.
- Assistance currently provided by family, carers or services.
- Equipment that is no longer working well for the person.
- Recent changes to the home, routines or living arrangements.
- Activities the person has stopped doing but would like to resume.
A recommendation should answer a specific need. The assessment should not result in a general shopping list simply because a person is older or receives aged care.
Working with your provider
Before arranging the appointment, clarify who is booking the service, who will receive the report and how the agreed work will be paid for. Tell the provider about any time-sensitive concern or planned change in support.
With the person's consent, the OT can share relevant findings with the provider and other supports. It is useful to identify who will follow up recommendations. Someone may need to obtain an equipment quote, organise a trial or discuss a change to the service plan.
The person receiving support should understand the next steps. A clear explanation is more useful than a report that lists recommendations without identifying how they will be considered.
Equipment and home modifications
Support at Home includes a separate Assistive Technology and Home Modifications pathway for eligible participants. Do not assume an ongoing services budget automatically covers every purchase or modification.
An OT can discuss the assessment and evidence needed for the particular equipment or change. Costs, prescriptions, permissions and funding decisions are separate parts of the process. Check the current program information with your provider before committing to a purchase or building work.
If the home is rented, explain that at referral. The therapist can consider the practical task, while consent and property requirements still need to be addressed through the appropriate parties.
What a visit may involve
The therapist may talk through the normal day, observe agreed activities and review relevant home spaces. Tell us about communication needs, access arrangements and whether a support person will attend.
You do not need to attempt a task that feels unsafe. The OT can discuss other ways of gathering information or identify when another assessment is required. We also consider the strategies and supports that already work well.
Common questions
Do I have to be a current Support at Home participant?
You can enquire about private OT or discuss the government-funded aged care pathway. An OT service enquiry does not itself establish eligibility for Support at Home.
Who decides whether a service is funded?
Your assessment, approved services and the relevant program requirements inform funding access. The provider can help explain the arrangements. An OT recommendation does not guarantee approval.
Can family members be involved?
Yes, with the person's agreement. Family observations can be useful, while the participant's own priorities and consent remain central.
Can you promise a certain appointment date?
We confirm therapist availability, travel coverage and assessment scope for each referral. Tell us your location and any deadline so we can discuss suitable options.
Make a referral to discuss occupational therapy at home and coordination with your Support at Home provider.