Is Your Client Ready for Their First Heatwave of the Season?
The first heatwave of the season has a habit of exposing small gaps that were easy to overlook during the cooler months. The air conditioner may not have been used since last summer. The client may no longer be able to read the buttons on the remote. Their medicines, mobility or support arrangements may have…
Why Daily Routines Matter More Than Product Features in Assistive Technology Assessments
Assistive technology assessments can easily become product comparisons. How long does the battery last? Is the device waterproof? Does it have automatic detection, voice control or location tracking? Can family members access it remotely? These questions matter, but they do not tell an occupational therapist whether the client will actually use the product. A device…
How Fear of Falling Changes Everyday Behaviour: What Occupational Therapists Should Know
After a fall or near fall, an older adult may become more careful. They might use the handrail, slow down on uneven ground or ask someone to accompany them on unfamiliar routes. A certain amount of caution can be helpful. It becomes a concern when fear begins deciding where the person goes, how much they…
How to Talk About Safety Without Taking Away an Older Parent’s Independence
You notice that your parent has become less steady on the stairs. They have missed a few doses of medication, left the stove on or stopped driving at night because their vision is not as clear as it once was. You want to help, but every attempt to discuss safety ends the same way: “I’m…
An Occupational Therapist’s Checklist for Choosing Assistive Technology That Gets Used
The most advanced assistive technology is not always the most useful. A device may look ideal during a demonstration yet remain untouched once it reaches the client’s home. It may require too many steps, feel uncomfortable, interrupt an established routine or solve a problem the client does not consider important. For occupational therapists, choosing assistive…
Returning to Outdoor Activities Safely After a Less Active Winter
The arrival of spring often brings a welcome change. The days become longer, the weather begins to warm and gardens, walking tracks and community spaces feel inviting again. For older Australians who have spent more time indoors during winter, spring can provide the motivation to return to walking, gardening, shopping, social outings and other outdoor…
Why Simplicity Matters More Than Features in Assistive Technology: A Guide for Occupational Therapists
Assistive technology is often compared by looking at features. Does the device have GPS? Automatic fall detection? Voice activation? Remote monitoring? A mobile app? Medication reminders? Multiple contact options? These features may all have value. However, a long list of capabilities does not necessarily make a product more suitable for the person who will use…
Preventing the Next Fall Starts Before the First One
Fall prevention often begins too late. An older adult falls in the bathroom, trips on a step or loses their balance outdoors. Only then does everyone start checking the home, reviewing medications and asking whether their strength or vision has changed. But the best time to reduce fall risk is before the first fall happens….
Why Confidence Often Declines Before Physical Ability
One of the most important observations Occupational Therapists make is that confidence and physical ability don’t always decline at the same pace. In many cases, confidence begins to fade long before a person’s actual physical capabilities change. An older adult may still have the strength to prepare meals, walk around the neighbourhood, or do the…
A Spring Home Safety Check for Older Adults and Their Families
Spring is a natural time to open the windows, clear out clutter and catch up on jobs that may have been put off during winter. It is also a good opportunity to look around the home for small safety problems that have gradually become part of the surroundings. A loose mat, dim hallway or uneven…