What Would You Like Help With?

---

🏡 I Want to Stay Independent at Home

Choose this if you or someone you care for is finding it harder to manage everyday life at home.
This might include difficulty with:

• looking after yourself
• preparing meals
• household tasks
• getting around the home
• managing everyday routines
• getting out into the community
• continuing activities that are important to you

Occupational Therapy may be a good place to start.An Occupational Therapist can look at what's becoming difficult and explore practical ways to make everyday activities safer or easier.

Explore Occupational Therapy for Older Adults

---

🚿 Showering, Dressing or Using the Toilet Has Become Difficult

Choose this if you're having difficulty with:

• getting in or out of the shower
• showering safely
• getting on or off the toilet
• dressing
• personal care
• getting in or out of bed
• other everyday self-care activities

Occupational Therapy may be able to help.Depending on your needs, this could include practical strategies, equipment or changes to your home.
Explore Occupational Therapy for Older Adults
Explore Adaptive Equipment

---

⚠️ I've Fallen or I'm Worried About Falling

Choose this if you:

• have recently fallen
• have had more than one fall
• have had near falls
• feel unsteady
• have become less confident walking around
• avoid activities because you're worried about falling
• are worried about hazards around your home

​A Falls Risk Assessment may be a useful place to start.
Explore Falls Risk Assessments

If you already know what is contributing to the problem and are looking for practical strategies:
Explore Falls Prevention Occupational Therapy

---

🚶 Walking or Getting Around Has Become Difficult

Choose this if you're finding it harder to:

• move around your home
• get out into the community
• walk safely
• get in or out of chairs
• move between different surfaces or areas
• complete everyday activities because of reduced mobility

Occupational Therapy may be able to assess how your mobility is affecting everyday life.Depending on your needs, equipment or changes to your home may also be considered.

Explore Occupational Therapy for Older Adults
Explore Equipment & Mobility Options

---

🦽 I Need Equipment or a Wheelchair

Choose this if you're looking for equipment to make everyday activities safer or easier.

This might include:

• bathroom equipment
• toileting equipment
• seating
• wheelchairs
• mobility equipment
• daily living equipment
• other adaptive equipment

An Occupational Therapist can assess what may be suitable for your individual needs.
Explore Assistive Technology
Explore Adaptive Equipment
Explore Seating & Wheelchair Prescription

---

🏠 My Home Is Becoming Difficult or Unsafe to Use

Choose this if you're concerned about things such as:

• getting into or out of your home
• steps
• bathroom access
• getting in or out of the shower
• using the toilet
• moving around inside
• accessing the kitchen
• trip hazards
• safely completing everyday activities

A Home Safety Assessment may be a good place to start.
Explore Home Safety Assessments

---

🔨 I Think My Home Needs Changes

Choose this if you think changes to the home itself may be needed.
This might include:

• rails
• ramps
• bathroom changes
• shower access
• toilet modifications
• doorway or access changes
• kitchen modifications
• larger or more complex changes to improve accessibility

A Home Modification Assessment may be the appropriate pathway.
Explore Occupational Therapy Home Modifications

---

🧠 Memory or Thinking Has Become More Difficult

Choose this if you or someone you care for is experiencing difficulty with:

• memory
• attention
• planning
• problem solving
• remembering everyday tasks
• following routines
• safely completing everyday activities

​Occupational Therapy can look at how changes in thinking or memory are affecting everyday function.
Explore Cognitive Assessment Occupational Therapy
Explore Occupational Therapy for Older Adults

---

🧠 I Am Living With Dementia

Support may focus on helping the person continue participating in everyday life as safely and independently as possible.

This may include:

• everyday routines
• home safety
• equipment
• simplifying activities
• adapting the environment
• supporting participation
• strategies for family members or carers

Explore Dementia Occupational Therapy Support

---

🧠 I've Had a Stroke or Other Neurological Change

Choose this if a stroke, brain injury or neurological condition has affected things such as:

• everyday activities
• movement
• upper limb function
• thinking or memory
• independence
• communication
• swallowing

More than one allied health service may sometimes be relevant.
Explore Stroke Rehabilitation Occupational Therapy
Explore Occupational Therapy for Older Adults

If communication or swallowing has been affected:
Explore Adult & Senior Speech Pathology

​

---

🗣 Talking, Communication or Swallowing Has Become Difficult

Choose this if you're experiencing changes with:

• speaking
• being understood
• finding words
• understanding communication
• voice
• communication following stroke or neurological change
• swallowing
• eating or drinking safely

Speech Pathology may be a good place to start.
Explore Adult & Senior Speech Pathology

---

🔋 Pain, Fatigue or Low Energy Is Affecting Everyday Life

Choose this if pain or fatigue is making it harder to:

• look after yourself
• complete household activities
• maintain routines
• get out into the community
• participate in activities that matter to you

Occupational Therapy may help explore practical ways to manage activities and conserve energy.
Explore Pain Management Occupational Therapy
Explore Energy Conservation Occupational Therapy

---

❤️ I'm Having Difficulty Coping

Choose this if you would like support with things such as:

• anxiety or worries
• stress
• grief or loss
• changes in health
• changes in independence
• relationships
• adjusting to major life changes
• emotional wellbeing

Counselling may be a useful place to start.
Explore Counselling

---

Has Someone Told You That You Need an Assessment or Report?

You don't need to work through all of the options above.

You may have been asked for an assessment relating to:

• everyday function
• home safety
• falls
• equipment
• wheelchair or seating
• home modifications
• NDIS support needs
• housing or living supports

Help Me Find the Right Assessment

Still Not Sure?

---

Which ONE Is Closest to What You Need Help With?

I want to stay independent at home
Occupational Therapy for Older Adults

Showering, dressing or toileting is difficult
Occupational Therapy

I've fallen or I'm worried about falling
Falls Risk Assessment

I need equipment or a wheelchair
Occupational Therapy / Assistive Technology

My home feels unsafe or difficult to use
Home Safety Assessment

My home needs physical changes
Home Modification Assessment

Memory or thinking is affecting everyday life
Occupational Therapy

I have dementia or care for someone with dementia
Dementia Occupational Therapy

I've had a stroke or neurological change
Occupational Therapy and/or Speech Pathology

Talking or swallowing is difficult
Speech Pathology

I'm struggling emotionally or finding changes difficult to cope with
Counselling

I need an assessment or report
Assessment Finder

None of these seem right
Help Me Work It Out

---

What if More Than One Option Fits?

That's okay.

For example, someone who has had a fall may also be finding showering difficult and need equipment or changes to their home.
​
Someone recovering from a stroke may need Occupational Therapy for everyday activities and Speech Pathology for communication or swallowing.

You don't need to work all of that out before you start.

This guide doesn't diagnose a condition or decide exactly which services you need. It's simply designed to help you find a sensible place to start.

---

Helping a Parent, Partner or Family Member?

You can use this guide on behalf of someone else.
Choose the difficulty that is having the biggest impact on their everyday life and follow that pathway.

---

Choose Again

Back to Not Sure Where to Start
Choose Adult 18-64 Years
Help Me Find the Right Assessment
I Have No Idea Where to Start

---

Last Edited: October 2026