Winter can be an isolating time for older people living alone. Cold weather, rain and shorter daylight hours may make it harder to attend social activities, visit friends or complete everyday errands. Family members may also assume an older relative is staying safely at home without realising how little contact they have had with other … 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
Falls are often discussed in terms of injuries, hospital admissions, and recovery. While these are important considerations, there’s another consequence that can have an equally significant impact on an older person’s quality of life. It’s fear. As someone who has spent years working with Occupational Therapists, healthcare providers, and families supporting older Australians, I’ve learned … 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
Winter can make home feel like the safest place to be. However, colder temperatures, wet pathways, reduced daylight and extra electrical cords can introduce risks that may not be present during the warmer months. For older Australians, even a small slip or a short period without adequate heating can have serious consequences. This does not … read more
A personal alarm sits unopened on the kitchen bench. An emergency watch stays in its box. A pendant is tucked away in a drawer after only a few days of use. For many Occupational Therapists, these situations are familiar. Despite careful assessments and well-considered recommendations, some clients choose not to use the very devices designed … read more
Technology can make everyday life easier, safer and more connected. It can help an older person speak with family, remember appointments, manage daily tasks or call for assistance during an emergency. But more features do not always mean a better experience. A device may look impressive in a demonstration but become frustrating once it is … 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
Recommending assistive technology is rarely the most challenging part of an Occupational Therapist’s role. More often, the challenge begins after the recommendation has been made. Many Occupational Therapists have experienced situations where a client initially agrees to use a personal alarm, emergency watch, or other assistive technology, only for the device to remain unused weeks … read more