Occupational therapy for Older Adults

Paediatric Occupational Therapy  | Occupational Therapy for Adults 
Functional Capacity Assessments | Assistive Technology & Equipment | Home Mods | SDA & SIL Assessments 
 Home Therapy Packs
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Welcome to Belong Health, where we are dedicated to providing comprehensive Occupational Therapy services tailored specifically for Older Adults. Our team of experienced Occupational Therapists understands the unique challenges and needs that come with aging, and we are excited to introduce our specialised range of services designed to support individuals aged 50 and older.

Our Senior Occupational Therapy services focus on supporting Older Adults aged 50-65+. We provide comprehensive assessment and support clients, and their primary carers, to navigate the complexities of the aged care system, from early diagnosis to end-of-life care. Our expertise ensures that clients maintain their independence and quality of life.

Holistic Approach
At Belong Health, we believe in taking a holistic approach to Occupational Therapy. We address not only physical impairments but also consider the psychological, social, and environmental factors that impact an individual's ability to participate in meaningful activities. Our goal is to empower Older Adults to lead fulfilling lives, maintain their independence, and reach their maximum potential. Whether it’s through fall prevention strategies, cognitive retraining, or home modifications, we are here to support every step of the way.​
List of Services provided by our Senior Occupational Therapist who specialises in Older Adults 50-65+
Click on any of these links to navigate to the sections on this page.
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Upper Limb/Hand Therapy
Guides & FAQ's

Navigating the journey of ageing with a loved one can be a complex and emotional experience. As a family member or primary carer understanding the signs that indicate the need for additional support and knowing how to access appropriate services are essential in ensuring the health and happiness of your loved one. Our informative content is designed specifically for family members and primary carer of Older Adults aged 50 and older, providing you with the knowledge and resources you need to make informed decisions.

Through our comprehensive guides, FAQs, and detailed service descriptions, we aim to empower you with the tools to recognise the early signs of cognitive and physical decline, understand the benefits of Occupational Therapy, and effectively engage with healthcare professionals. From identifying when to seek a GP referral to implementing practical strategies for daily living, our content is here to support you every step of the way. By staying informed and proactive, you can help your loved one maintain their independence, safety, and quality of life. To Learn more about  different aspects of these services and how to go about it we've created some step by step instructions, guides and FAQ's below.
Guide on Step-by-Step for Clients and Family Members
Guide on Recognising the Need for an Occupational Therapist
Guide on How to Engage with an Occupational Therapist
Guide on What to Look for During Daily Activities
​Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Key Areas of OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY Expertise

Adaptive Equipment Prescription
Our team prescribes a range of adaptive equipment to assist older adults in their daily activities. This includes mobility aids, dressing aids, and devices that promote independence and reduce the risk of injury.
Overview: Providing older adults with adaptive equipment to aid in daily activities and enhance independence.
Services Include:
  • Mobility Aids: Prescribing walkers, canes, and wheelchairs.
  • Daily Living Aids: Recommending devices such as shower chairs, dressing aids, bath safety equipment, and kitchen tools designed for ease of use.
  • Training: Teaching clients and primary carers how to use the equipment effectively and safely.
Advance Care Directives/Advance Care Planning
We assist older adults and their families in creating Advance Care Directives and planning for future care needs, ensuring their wishes are respected in case of legal incapacity.
Overview: Helping clients and families plan for future health care decisions.
Services Include:
  • Education and Counselling: Explaining the importance and process of advance care planning.
  • Documentation: Assisting in the preparation of Advance Care Directives.
Communication: Facilitating discussions between clients, families, and health care providers.
Aged Care Assessment Team Referral
We facilitate referrals to the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) for assessment, helping clients access the services they need, whether it's in-home care or admission to a residential aged care facility.
Overview: Facilitating ACAT referrals to ensure seniors receive appropriate care services, whether at home or in residential care facilities.
Services Include:
  • Assessment Preparation: Our comprehensive assessment which includes past medical history, current diagnosis, medications and a detailed report is forwarded to the ACAT team upon referral to help expedite their appointment for review. ​
  • Referral Process Management:  Submitting applications and liaising with ACAT to schedule assessments.
  • Follow-up Support: Assisting with interpreting assessment outcomes and implementing recommended services.
Cognitive Assessment & Retraining
We offer cognitive assessment in the comfort of their own home. Our assessment includes executive function, visual and spatial function, language, attention, memory and orientation. Findings are described in a detailed report.

Overview: Cognitive assessment and retraining are crucial for seniors experiencing cognitive impairments due to conditions such as dementia, stroke, Parkinson’s disease, motor neuron disease, and multiple sclerosis.
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Services Include:
  • Cognitive Assessments: Comprehensive evaluations using standardised tools to identify cognitive strengths and areas of decline.
  • Individualised Retraining Programs: Tailored activities and exercises aimed at improving cognitive abilities and slowing the progression of cognitive decline.
  • Caregiver Training: Educating primary carers on techniques to support cognitive function at home.
Dementia Care Education
We offer education on dementia care, providing primary carers with strategies to support and manage the behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia, such as wandering, aggression, and agitation.
Overview: Providing education and strategies to support clients with dementia and their primary carers.
Services Include:
  • Behaviour Management: Techniques to manage challenging behaviours such as aggression and wandering.
  • Cognitive Support: Activities to stimulate cognitive function and delay progression.
  • Caregiver Training: Educating primary carers on best practices in dementia care.
Energy Conservation Techniques
We teach energy conservation techniques to help older adults manage fatigue and maintain their activity levels. This includes strategies to pace activities, prioritise tasks, and use assistive devices effectively.
Overview: Teaching strategies to manage energy levels and reduce fatigue.
Services Include:
  • Activity Pacing: Planning and organising activities to avoid overexertion.
  • Task Simplification: Modifying tasks to make them less energy-intensive.
  • Use of Assistive Devices: Incorporating tools that help save energy.
Falls Prevention and Assessment
We provide falls risk assessments, education, and balance training to prevent falls, which are common among older adults. Our interventions include conditioning exercises, footwear recommendations, and the prescription of pendant alarms for emergency situations.
Overview: Falls prevention programs aim to reduce the risk of falls, which are a major cause of injury among older adults.
Services Include:
  • Risk Assessments: Identifying factors that increase fall risk, such as poor balance, muscle weakness, and environmental hazards.
  • Education Programs: Teaching clients and their primary carers about fall risks and prevention strategies.
  • Balance and Strength Training: Exercises designed to improve balance, coordination, and muscle strength.
  • Footwear and Pendant Alarms: Recommending appropriate footwear and personal emergency response systems.​
Functional Capacity Evaluation & Assessments
Our Functional Capacity Evaluations and Assessments help determine a client’s ability to perform daily activities and identify any limitations. These evaluations are essential for creating personalised care plans and ensuring appropriate support and interventions.

Overview: Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE) assesses a senior's ability to perform tasks necessary for daily living. This helps in creating effective care plans and interventions.
Services Include:
  • Physical Assessments: Evaluating strength, endurance, flexibility, and mobility.
  • Daily Living Skills Evaluation: Assessing the ability to perform activities such as dressing, bathing, cooking, and managing medications.
  • Recommendations: Providing detailed reports with recommendations for adaptive equipment, environmental modifications, and therapeutic interventions.
Home Assessment and Modification Prescription
We conduct thorough home assessments to identify potential hazards and recommend modifications to enhance safety and accessibility. Our prescriptions for home modifications include installing grab bars, ramps, and stairlifts, ensuring a safe living environment for older adults.
Overview: Home assessments ensure a safe living environment by identifying hazards and recommending modifications to enhance accessibility and safety.
Services Include:
  • Environmental Assessments: Evaluating the home layout and identifying potential risks.
  • Modification Prescriptions: Recommending changes such as installing grab bars, ramps, stairlifts, non-slip flooring, and improved lighting.
  • Assistive Technology: Suggesting technology solutions like emergency response systems and home automation for increased safety and independence.
Palliative Care Resourcing
We provide resources and support for palliative care, helping clients and their families navigate end-of-life care with dignity and comfort.
Overview: Providing resources and support for clients in need of palliative care.
Services Include:
  • Care Coordination: Working with multidisciplinary teams to ensure comprehensive care.
  • Symptom Relief: Focusing on comfort and quality of life.
  • Emotional Support: Offering counselling and support to clients and families.
Pressure Care Management
We offer pressure care management to prevent pressure sores, providing recommendations for specialised cushions, mattresses, and other pressure-relieving devices.
Overview: Preventing and managing pressure sores through effective pressure care strategies.
Services Include:
  • Risk Assessment: Identifying individuals at risk of pressure sores.
  • Pressure-Relieving Equipment: Recommending mattresses, cushions, and other devices to reduce pressure on vulnerable areas.
  • Skin Care Education: Teaching clients and primary carers about skin care and early detection of pressure sores.​
Resources and Links to Service Providers
We connect clients with relevant service providers, ensuring they have access to additional support and resources tailored to their specific needs.
Overview: Connecting clients with additional services and resources to meet their needs.
Services Include:
  • Information Provision: Supplying information about available services.
  • ​Referral Services: Connecting clients with specialised providers.
  • Support Networks: Facilitating access to support groups and community resources.
Responsive Behaviour Strategies
Our responsive behaviour strategies help mitigate challenging behaviours in older adults, promoting a safer and more harmonious living environment for both clients and their primary carers.
Overview: Developing strategies to manage and mitigate challenging behaviours in older adults.
Services Include:
  • Behavioural Assessments: Identifying triggers and patterns of challenging behaviours.
  • Intervention Plans: Creating tailored plans to address specific behaviours.
  • Training: Teaching primary carers how to implement strategies effectively.
Seating and Wheelchair Prescription
We assess and prescribe appropriate seating and wheelchairs, from manual options to those requiring 2x hoist assistance, ensuring comfort and mobility for older adults with varying needs.
Overview: Ensuring proper seating and mobility solutions to promote comfort and mobility.
Services Include:
  • Assessment: Evaluating individual needs based on physical condition and lifestyle.
  • Custom Prescription: Recommending manual or powered wheelchairs, specialized seating systems, and accessories for positioning and comfort.
  • Training and Adjustment: Ensuring the correct use and adjustment of seating and mobility devices.
Symptom Management
We resource clients with chronic or terminal illnesses who require comprehensive symptom management, focusing on providing resources and linking clients with community service providers to assist with alleviating discomfort and improving their quality of life.
Overview: Addressing and managing symptoms of chronic and terminal illnesses to enhance quality of life.
Services Include:
  • Pain Management: Techniques and interventions to reduce pain.
  • Symptom Control: Strategies to manage symptoms such as fatigue, breathlessness, and nausea.
  • Holistic Approach: Combining physical, emotional, and psychological support.​
Upper Limb/Hand Therapy
Our upper limb and hand therapy services focus on strengthening, conditioning, and improving fine motor control and dexterity. These services help older adults maintain their hand function and independence in daily tasks.
Overview: Focusing on strengthening and improving the function of the upper limbs and hands.
Services Include:
  • Strength and Conditioning: Exercises to improve muscle strength and endurance.
  • Fine Motor Control and Dexterity: Activities to enhance hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity.
  • Therapeutic Activities: Engaging in purposeful activities to improve hand function.​
Specialised Services
Younger Onset Dementia Care
For clients diagnosed with Younger Onset Dementia who are under 65 and have a strong support system, we offer specialised care despite their ineligibility for NDIS funding. Our services support both the client and their primary carers through every stage of the disease.
Sensory Processing and Motor Planning
We address sensory processing issues and motor planning difficulties, helping older adults with conditions such as vision and hearing impairment, dysphagia, and other related disorders to improve their daily functioning and quality of life.
Emotional Regulation and Mental Health
We provide support for older adults experiencing emotional regulation difficulties, anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges, helping them achieve emotional stability and well-being.
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.

Have a question? or need more information

Our friendly team are happy to help call us on 08 9586 3634 or Click on the link below to fill out the form
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY FOR OLDER ADULTS ENQUIRY FORM

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​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  
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. 
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
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. 

13 Littleton st, Falcon

Phone: 08 9586 3934

EMAIL US
OFFICE HOURS:         MONDAY TO FRIDAY 8:30am - 4:30pm

BELONG HEALTH'S Paediatric Occupational Therapy SERVICES FOR Perth region

A: Alexander Heights, Alfred Cove, Applecross, Applecross North, Ardross, Armadale, Ascot, Ashby, Ashfield, Attadale, Atwell, Aubin Grove, Aveley
B: Balcatta, Balga, Ballajura, Banjup, Banksia Grove, Baskerville, Bassendean, Bateman, Bayswater, Beaconsfield, Beckenham, Bedford, Bedfordale, Beechboro, Beeliar, Beldon, Belhus, Bellevue, Belmont, Bennett Springs, Bentley, Bibra Lake, Bicton, Booragoon, Boya, Brabham, Brentwood, Brigadoon, Broadway Nedlands, Brookdale, Bull Creek, Burns Beach, Burswood, Bushmead, Butler
C: Canning Vale, Cannington, Carabooda, Carine, Carlisle, Carramar, Caversham, Champion Lakes, Churchlands, City Beach, Claremont, Clarkson, Cloverdale, Cockburn Central, Como, Connolly, Coogee, Coolbellup, Coolbinia, Cottesloe, Craigie, Crawley, Currambine
D: Daglish, Dalkeith, Darch, Darlington, Dayton, Dianella, Dog Swamp, Doubleview, Duncraig
E: East Cannington, East Fremantle, East Perth, East Victoria Park, Eden Hill, Edgewater, Ellenbrook, Embleton
F: Ferndale, Floreat, Forrestdale, Forrestfield, Fremantle
G: Gidgegannup, Girrawheen, Glen Forrest, Glendalough, Glengarry, Gnangara, Gosnells, Greenmount, Greenwood, Guildford, Gwelup
H: Hamersley, Hamilton Hill, Hammond Park, Harrisdale, Haynes, Hazelmere, Heathridge, Helena Valley, Henderson, Henley Brook, Herdsman, Herne Hill, High Wycombe, Highgate, Hilbert, Hillarys, Hilton, Hocking, Hovea, Huntingdale
I: Iluka, Inglewood, Innaloo, Jandabup, Jandakot, Jane Brook, Jindalee, Jolimont, Joondalup, Joondanna
K: Kallaroo, Karawara, Kardinya, Karragullen, Karrakatta, Karrinyup, Kelmscott, Kensington, Kenwick, Kewdale, Kiara, Kings Park, Kingsley, Kingsway, Kinross, Koondoola, Koongamia
L: Landsdale, Langford, Lathlain, Leederville, Leeming, Lexia, Lockridge, Lynwood
M: Maddington, Madeley, Mahogany Creek, Maida Vale, Malaga, Manning, Marangaroo, Mariginiup, Marmion, Martin, Maylands, Melaleuca, Melville, Menora, Merriwa, Middle Swan, Midland, Midvale, Millendon, Mindarie, Mirrabooka, Morangup, Morley, Mosman Park, Mount Claremont, Mount Hawthorn, Mount Lawley, Mount Nasura, Mount Pleasant, Mount Richon, Mullaloo, Munster, Murdoch, Myaree
N: Nedlands, Neerabup, Nollamara, Noranda, North Beach, North Coogee, North Fremantle, North Lake, North Perth, Northbridge, Nowergup
O: O'connor, Ocean Reef, Orange Grove, Osborne Park
P: Padbury, Palmyra, Parkerville, Parkwood, Pearsall, Peppermint Grove, Perth, Piara Waters, Pinjar, Queens Park, Quinns Rocks
R: Red Hill, Redcliffe, Ridgewood, Riverton, Rivervale, Roleystone, Rossmoyne, Rottnest Island
S: Salter Point, Samson, Sawyers Valley, Scarborough, Seville Grove, Shelley, Shenton Park, Sinagra, Sorrento, South Fremantle, South Guildford, South Lake, South Perth, Southern River, Spearwood, St James, Stirling, Stoneville, Stratton, Subiaco, Subiaco East, Success, Swan View, Swanbourne
T: Tamala Park, Tapping, The Vines, Thornlie, Treeby, Trigg, Tuart Hill
U: Upper Swan
V: Victoria Park
W: Wangara, Wanneroo, Warwick, Waterford, Watermans Bay, Wattle Grove, Wattleup, Welshpool, Wembley, Wembley Downs, West Leederville, West Perth, West Swan, Westfield, Westminster, White Gum Valley, Whiteman, Willagee, Willetton, Wilson, Winthrop, Woodbridge, Woodlands, Woodvale, Wungong
Y: Yangebup, Yokine​

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