Living with a disability can affect how easily someone moves around their home, accesses essential facilities and manages everyday activities. Sometimes, small changes to the home can make a meaningful difference. In other situations, more substantial modifications may be needed.
An Occupational Therapy (OT) Home Assessment can help identify what is making daily activities difficult and what changes may improve accessibility, safety and independence.
When is a Home Assessment worth considering?
An OT Home Assessment may be useful when someone:
- Struggles to enter or leave their home
- Has difficulty using the shower or toilet
- Uses a wheelchair or walking aid
- Finds stairs increasingly difficult
- Has trouble transferring between a bed, chair or toilet
- Needs more space to move around
- Has experienced a change in mobility or functional ability
- Requires modifications to support greater independence
A recent diagnosis isn’t the only reason to consider an assessment. Changes in everyday function can be just as important.
What does an OT assess?
An OT considers the person’s abilities, goals, support needs and home environment. Depending on the circumstances, the assessment may cover bathroom access, entrances, doorways, mobility, transfers, equipment and other barriers to daily activities.
The goal is to identify practical recommendations that address the person’s individual needs – not simply suggest products or modifications without understanding the problem.
What about NDIS funding?
For eligible NDIS participants, home modifications may be considered where they meet the relevant funding criteria. Minor and complex home modification assessments must be completed by a suitably qualified occupational therapist acting as a home modification assessor. Funding is not automatic and depends on individual circumstances and approval requirements. Read the NDIS assessment guidance.
Take the first step
If a disability is making everyday activities at home more difficult, an OT assessment may help identify available options. Home Access Group helps coordinate OT home assessment services so people can explore practical solutions for their homes.
Contact Home Access Group to discuss your assessment needs.
A safer home starts with understanding the person
Every home is different. Every person is different. That is why the right approach starts with the individual rather than a list of products. At Home Access Group, we help coordinate OT home assessments that consider the person’s needs, goals, functional abilities and home environment.
The mission is simple: Help people stay safe, independent and at home for longer. If you or someone you care for is finding everyday activities around the home more difficult, an OT home assessment may be a useful place to start.
Your home should work for you – not the other way around. Reach out and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
Information about Support at Home and the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications scheme can change. Providers should refer to current Australian Government guidance when making funding and service decisions.
