Ageing at Home in Adelaide: How Occupational Therapy Works Under the New Support at Home Program

If you've been looking into aged care support recently, you may have noticed that things have changed. As of 1 November 2025, the Support at Home program replaced Home Care Packages as the main way older Australians receive funded support to live well in their own homes. A new system can feel confusing, especially when you're already managing a lot for yourself or an ageing parent. At Life Solutions OT, we want to make one part of it clearer: where occupational therapy fits in, and how it can help you or someone you love stay safe and confident at home.

A quick word on what's changed

The Support at Home program is the Australian Government's new in-home aged care system. If you or a family member were already receiving a Home Care Package, you would have moved across automatically — there was no need to reapply, and services continued without interruption. The new program keeps the same goal at its heart: helping older Australians remain living safely and independently at home for as long as possible. What's different is that there are now more funding levels, budgets are released quarterly, and — importantly for our work — there's a dedicated funding stream for equipment and home modifications.

Where an occupational therapist comes in

An occupational therapist (OT) helps people keep doing the everyday activities that matter to them — getting in and out of the shower safely, moving around the home, preparing meals, and managing personal care. Under Support at Home, occupational therapy sits within clinical care, which means there's no out-of-pocket contribution for these supports.

We visit you in your own home, see how you actually move through your day, and recommend practical solutions tailored to your space and your goals. Our focus is always on building on what you can already do, rather than taking over — small, well-chosen changes often make the biggest difference to confidence and safety.

Separate funding for equipment and home modifications

One of the most useful features of the new program is the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) scheme. This provides separate funding — on top of your regular quarterly budget — specifically for equipment and changes to your home. In practice, that means buying a shower stool or installing grab rails doesn't eat into the budget you rely on for everyday care.

Funding is assessed based on your individual needs and allocated in tiers, with the higher tier (up to around $15,000) available for more substantial home modifications. More complex or higher-cost items need to be prescribed by a qualified health professional, such as an occupational therapist — which is exactly the kind of assessment we provide.

What an in-home OT assessment looks like

When we visit, we take the time to understand your routine, your health, and the areas of your home where you feel less confident — often the bathroom, the bedroom, and steps or entryways. From there, we make clear, practical recommendations. That might be falls prevention strategies, equipment such as rails or a shower chair, or modifications like a ramp or non-slip surfaces.

Where home modifications are needed, we can prepare the supporting reports, help with obtaining quotes, and coordinate with builders so the process stays smooth and stress-free for you and your family.

How to get started

Your need for assistive technology or home modifications is assessed as part of your aged care assessment through My Aged Care, and your Support at Home provider or case manager can help arrange occupational therapy as part of your support plan. If you're not sure where to begin, that's completely normal — a good first step is simply asking your provider whether an OT assessment is right for you.

At Life Solutions OT, we provide mobile, in-home occupational therapy across metropolitan Adelaide and surrounding regions — including the Adelaide Hills, southern Adelaide, McLaren Vale, and Victor Harbor. Whether it's a home safety and falls prevention assessment, equipment recommendations, or home modifications to keep you moving around with confidence, our focus is on helping you stay safely and independently in the home you love.

Want to understand how occupational therapy could support you or an older family member under the Support at Home program? Get in touch with Life Solutions OT to find out more or to arrange a visit.