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 … read more
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 … read more
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 … read more
Australia’s Support at Home program was introduced to help older people receive the services, equipment and home modifications they need to remain safe and independent at home. However, misunderstandings about how the funding works can lead to unnecessary delays. A client may be told to wait while money accumulates, an equipment request may be postponed … read more
For many older adults, home is much more than a place to live. It’s where memories have been made, routines have been established, neighbours have become friends, and a sense of independence has been built over decades. It’s no surprise that most older Australians want to remain in their own homes for as long as … read more
A fall can leave more than bruises or broken bones. For many older adults, the emotional impact lasts much longer than the physical injuries. Even after the body has healed, confidence often doesn’t return as quickly. Everyday activities that once felt routine—walking to the mailbox, shopping for groceries, or taking a stroll through the neighbourhood—can … read more
Choosing assistive technology is rarely as simple as matching a product to a diagnosis. Two people with similar health conditions may have completely different routines, priorities, home environments and attitudes towards technology. A device that works well for one person may feel impractical, uncomfortable or unnecessary to another. This is why a successful recommendation begins … read more
Independent living is often discussed in practical terms. Can someone prepare meals, manage medicines, move safely around the home or attend appointments without assistance? These abilities matter, but they are only part of the picture. A person may still be physically capable of doing many everyday activities yet gradually stop doing them because they no … read more
When discussing independent living, conversations often focus on physical ability. Can a client transfer safely? Can they prepare meals? Can they manage personal care or navigate their home independently? These are important questions, but they don’t tell the whole story. A client’s confidence can be just as influential as their physical ability. In fact, two … read more
One of the biggest barriers to adopting assistive technology isn’t cost, complexity, or even the technology itself. It’s perception. Many clients hear the words personal alarm, mobility aid, or assistive technology and immediately associate them with ageing, declining health, or losing independence. Even when a recommendation is clinically appropriate, these perceptions can create hesitation or … read more
For many Occupational Therapists, recommending a personal alarm is a straightforward clinical decision. The client may have an increased falls risk, live alone, or benefit from faster access to assistance during an emergency. Yet despite the clear benefits, some clients hesitate—or agree initially but never use the device consistently. The challenge is often not the … read more
When Occupational Therapists recommend assistive technology, the conversation often begins with function. Will the device improve safety? Will it reduce risk? Will it help the client remain independent for longer? These are essential considerations. Yet many recommendations succeed or fail for reasons that have little to do with the technology itself. A personal alarm may … read more