Understanding Changes and Planning the Next Step
At Belong Health, we provide Functional Decline Assessments through Occupational Therapy, supporting individuals and families to understand changes in daily function and identify appropriate next steps.
These assessments are often the first step when something feels like it has changed, such as mobility, safety, or the ability to manage everyday tasks.
Looking for a mobile OT near you?
At Belong Health, we provide Functional Decline Assessments through Occupational Therapy, supporting individuals and families to understand changes in daily function and identify appropriate next steps.
These assessments are often the first step when something feels like it has changed, such as mobility, safety, or the ability to manage everyday tasks.
Looking for a mobile OT near you?
What Is Functional Decline?
Functional decline refers to a reduction in a person’s ability to perform everyday activities.
This may occur gradually or suddenly and can impact:
Understanding these changes early allows for appropriate support and planning.
Functional decline refers to a reduction in a person’s ability to perform everyday activities.
This may occur gradually or suddenly and can impact:
- Mobility and movement
- Personal care (e.g. dressing, showering)
- Household tasks
- Memory and thinking skills
- Safety within the home
Understanding these changes early allows for appropriate support and planning.
When Should You Consider a Functional Decline Assessment?
You may benefit from an assessment if you or a loved one:
You may benefit from an assessment if you or a loved one:
- Are finding daily tasks more difficult
- Have experienced a recent fall or near fall
- Have had a hospital admission
- Are showing changes in memory or thinking
- Require more support than previously
- Are unsure what level of support is needed
What Does a Functional Decline Assessment Involve?
Our Occupational Therapists complete assessments in the home to understand real-life function.
Our Occupational Therapists complete assessments in the home to understand real-life function.
Physical and Functional Assessment
We assess:
We assess:
- Mobility and balance
- Transfers and movement
- Strength and endurance
- Ability to complete daily tasks
Cognitive and Behavioural Considerations
We assess changes in:
We assess changes in:
- Memory
- Attention
- Decision-making
- Behaviour and responses
Home Environment and Safety
We assess how the home environment impacts safety and independence.
This includes:
We assess how the home environment impacts safety and independence.
This includes:
- Identifying hazards
- Assessing accessibility
- Reviewing layout and setup
Identifying Causes of Functional Decline
Functional decline may be related to:
Functional decline may be related to:
- Age-related changes
- Neurological conditions (e.g. dementia, stroke, Parkinson’s)
- Injury or illness
- Reduced mobility or strength
- Changes in cognition or behaviour
What Happens After the Assessment?
Following assessment, we provide clear recommendations to support next steps.
This may include:
Following assessment, we provide clear recommendations to support next steps.
This may include:
- Equipment and assistive technology
- Home modifications
- Therapy and rehabilitation
- Increased supports or services
- Strategies to improve safety and independence
Supporting NDIS, DVA, and Aged Care Pathways
Functional Decline Assessments can support:
Functional Decline Assessments can support:
- NDIS access and plan reviews
- Functional Capacity Assessments (FCA)
- Aged care support planning
- DVA service access
Supporting Ageing at Home
Understanding functional decline is key to supporting individuals to remain at home safely.
We provide practical strategies to:
Understanding functional decline is key to supporting individuals to remain at home safely.
We provide practical strategies to:
- Improve safety
- Support independence
- Adapt routines and environments
A Collaborative, Person-Centred Approach
We work closely with:
We work closely with:
- GPs
- Families and carers
- Support coordinators
- Allied health professionals
Mobile Occupational Therapy Across Perth
We provide home-based Functional Decline Assessments across Perth, ensuring assessments reflect real-life environments.
We provide home-based Functional Decline Assessments across Perth, ensuring assessments reflect real-life environments.
Get Started
If you’re concerned about changes in daily function, our team is here to support you.
Call us on 08 9586 3934 or send us an email here
If you’re concerned about changes in daily function, our team is here to support you.
Call us on 08 9586 3934 or send us an email here
Frequently Asked Questions
What is functional decline?
Functional decline refers to a decrease in the ability to complete everyday tasks safely and independently.
Can Occupational Therapy help identify what’s changed?
Yes, Occupational Therapists assess physical, cognitive, and environmental factors to understand changes in function.
What happens after the assessment?
You will receive recommendations to support safety, independence, and next steps in care or therapy.
Can this be used for NDIS or aged care?
Yes, assessments can support funding, planning, and service access.
Do you provide home visits?
Yes, all assessments are completed in the home environment.
What is functional decline?
Functional decline refers to a decrease in the ability to complete everyday tasks safely and independently.
Can Occupational Therapy help identify what’s changed?
Yes, Occupational Therapists assess physical, cognitive, and environmental factors to understand changes in function.
What happens after the assessment?
You will receive recommendations to support safety, independence, and next steps in care or therapy.
Can this be used for NDIS or aged care?
Yes, assessments can support funding, planning, and service access.
Do you provide home visits?
Yes, all assessments are completed in the home environment.
Belong Health's Resource Hub
To further support your child's development, visit our Resource Hub for additional activities, tips, and tools tailored for various needs and diagnoses.
To further support your child's development, visit our Resource Hub for additional activities, tips, and tools tailored for various needs and diagnoses.
Accessing our Perth services
Let's Work Together
Referrals to Belong Health
We are Medicare and Private Health fund registered for Occupational Therapy and Speech Pathology.
EPC/Team care arrangements/Chronic disease (CDM) or GP management plans and self-referrals are all acceptable.
WA NDIS Registered Provider
We are Medicare and Private Health fund registered for Occupational Therapy and Speech Pathology.
EPC/Team care arrangements/Chronic disease (CDM) or GP management plans and self-referrals are all acceptable.
WA NDIS Registered Provider
Medicare
You can get a referral from your/your child’s GP for OT on a Chronic Disease Management (CDM) plan this gives you 5 sessions for OT per calendar year with a $53 rebate available on each session or a Helping Children with Autism/PDD/ or an eligible disability package (20 sessions between allied health professionals, as set up by a Paediatrician/Psychiatrist) which gives your child under 16 years a $75 rebate per session for the 20 sessions, you can use up to 10 sessions per Health Professional (up to 10 for OT) and you will need a separate referral letter from your child’s Paediatrician for each Allied Health Professional you are seeking services from.
You can get a referral from your/your child’s GP for OT on a Chronic Disease Management (CDM) plan this gives you 5 sessions for OT per calendar year with a $53 rebate available on each session or a Helping Children with Autism/PDD/ or an eligible disability package (20 sessions between allied health professionals, as set up by a Paediatrician/Psychiatrist) which gives your child under 16 years a $75 rebate per session for the 20 sessions, you can use up to 10 sessions per Health Professional (up to 10 for OT) and you will need a separate referral letter from your child’s Paediatrician for each Allied Health Professional you are seeking services from.
Private Health
Your Private Health fund may cover up to 75% of the cost of OT sessions if this is included in your cover, be sure to call them or check your policy for details.
No referral or self referral
You do not require a referral for accessing OT
Your Private Health fund may cover up to 75% of the cost of OT sessions if this is included in your cover, be sure to call them or check your policy for details.
No referral or self referral
You do not require a referral for accessing OT
NDIS Registered Provider
We are an NDIS Registered Provider
Whether you or your child have NDIS funding that is NDIS Managed, Third Party Plan Managed or you are Self-Managing your funds, you are able to use your funding to cover the full cost of therapy services plus travel costs. You will need provide us with your/your child’s NDIS number and plan details ahead of your first session. Once you have booked a session or contacted us, our team will be in touch to discuss our service agreement and provide you with our services price list.
We are an NDIS Registered Provider
Whether you or your child have NDIS funding that is NDIS Managed, Third Party Plan Managed or you are Self-Managing your funds, you are able to use your funding to cover the full cost of therapy services plus travel costs. You will need provide us with your/your child’s NDIS number and plan details ahead of your first session. Once you have booked a session or contacted us, our team will be in touch to discuss our service agreement and provide you with our services price list.
