What to Expect From a Home-Based Occupational Therapy Assessment
Occupational therapy (OT) is essential in helping people with disability, injury, or ageing-related challenges maintain their independence at home. At EnableU, we bring occupational therapy directly to your doorstep, offering personalised home-based assessments throughout Ryde, Canada Bay, and Hunter’s Hill.
Whether you're an NDIS participant or a senior on a Home Care Package, a home-based OT assessment helps determine what supports and changes will make your everyday living safer, easier, and more comfortable. Here's what you can expect from the process.
What Is a Home-Based OT Assessment?
An occupational therapist visits your home to understand your physical environment, daily routines, support needs, and personal goals. This one-on-one session is tailored to assess how you function in your real-life surroundings — rather than in a clinic setting.
Assessments can focus on:
- Daily tasks like dressing, showering, cooking, or using stairs
- Falls risk and injury prevention
- Mobility and physical challenges around the home
- Use of assistive equipment or home modifications
- Support needed to achieve goals outlined in your care plan
Who Needs an OT Assessment?
You may benefit from an OT assessment if you or your loved one:
- Is living with a disability or chronic health condition
- Is recovering from surgery or a hospital stay
- Has difficulty performing tasks like cooking or hygiene
- Is at risk of falling or has had falls in the past
- Wants to stay living at home rather than moving to residential care
These assessments are funded through the NDIS or Home Care Packages, and our team can help you understand your eligibility.
What Happens During the Visit?
The occupational therapist will:
- Introduce themselves and explain the purpose of the visit
- Speak with you (and your family or carer, if you choose) about your current challenges
- Observe how you move around your home — using bathrooms, stairs, the kitchen, etc.
- Identify any unsafe areas or points of difficulty
- Discuss equipment or changes that could help you
We always take into account your culture, preferred communication style, and language. Our multilingual OTs can conduct assessments in Mandarin, Arabic, Korean, and more, ensuring nothing is lost in translation.
Post-Assessment Report and Recommendations
After the assessment, your OT will prepare a detailed report that may include:
- Current abilities and challenges
- Recommendations for home modifications (e.g. grab rails, ramps, accessible bathrooms)
- Advice on assistive technology (e.g. shower chairs, mobility aids)
- Therapy or exercise programs to improve independence
- Recommendations for support hours or additional services
This report can be used to support NDIS plan reviews, funding applications, or updates to your Home Care Package service plan.
Why Do It at Home?
Conducting the OT assessment at home offers several advantages:
- Real-life observations in the spaces where you live, cook, bathe and relax
- Tailored recommendations that suit your unique home environment
- More comfort and openness in familiar surroundings
- No need for travel or waiting rooms
EnableU’s home-based OT services are designed to make support more accessible, comfortable, and relevant for every individual and family.
Real Story: Mrs. Dinh, 74, Canada Bay
After a fall at home, Mrs. Dinh’s daughter reached out to EnableU. Our Vietnamese-speaking OT visited her home and assessed the bathroom and kitchen where she felt most unsafe. The OT recommended small modifications — including non-slip mats, a raised toilet seat, and a walking aid — and submitted a report to update her Home Care Package. Within weeks, Mrs. Dinh was moving more confidently at home and back to cooking meals with ease.
How to Book a Home-Based Assessment
EnableU can help you:
- Organise an OT assessment funded through your NDIS plan or Home Care Package
- Match you with a multilingual occupational therapist in your area
- Understand what equipment and funding you may be eligible for
- Access therapy follow-up, support coordination, and carer assistance if needed
Contact your local EnableU team today to schedule a home-based OT assessment with a professional who speaks your language and understands your goals.
