Aged Care Occupational Therapy Adelaide

Helping Older Adults Across Adelaide Maintain Independence, Safety, and Quality of Life

Thrive Health Therapies provides expert aged care occupational therapy across Adelaide supporting older adults to remain safe, independent, and engaged in meaningful daily activities. Whether you're living at home, in a retirement village, or in residential aged care, our experienced occupational therapists (OTs) deliver personalised, evidence-based support that focuses on what matters most to you. We work with seniors receiving Home Care Packages (HCPs), DVA clients, and private referrals to address functional challenges, recommend assistive equipment, and reduce falls risk.

Physiotherapist smiling assisting a client using parallel bars during a therapy session at the Thrive Health Therapies clinic in Findon, Adelaide

What is Aged Care Occupational Therapy?

Aged care occupational therapy helps older adults continue doing the activities that are important to them - safely and independently. These may include daily personal tasks (like dressing and showering), domestic activities (like cooking and cleaning), or community engagement (like shopping or attending appointments).

Unlike general rehabilitation, aged care OT focuses on:

  • Everyday function in real-life settings

  • Adapting activities to meet changing physical and cognitive needs

  • Prescribing equipment to promote independence and safety

  • Preventing hospitalisation or premature entry into residential care

  • Supporting meaningful routines and social connection

Our OTs provide practical, tailored strategies to help seniors thrive at home and in their community.


Who Can Benefit from Aged Care OT?

Our aged care occupational therapy services in Adelaide are ideal for:

  • Home Care Package (HCP) recipients

  • Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) clients

  • Private clients aged 65 and over

  • Older adults with limited mobility, memory loss, or cognitive changes

  • Seniors returning home after hospitalisation

  • Carers supporting a loved one at home

  • Residential aged care residents needing functional support

We work with clients with a wide range of physical, sensory, and cognitive conditions, tailoring support to individual goals and preferences.


Common Conditions We Support

Our experienced OTs support older people managing a variety of health challenges, including:

  • Dementia and cognitive impairment

  • Parkinson’s disease

  • Stroke and acquired brain injury

  • Osteoarthritis and joint pain

  • Frailty and falls risk

  • Hip, knee, and shoulder replacements

  • Chronic pain and fatigue

  • Vision loss or sensory impairments

  • Diabetes-related complications

  • Respiratory and cardiovascular conditions

  • Functional decline related to ageing

Even without a formal diagnosis, occupational therapy can assist with maintaining safe and independent daily living.

Learn more about our occupational therapy services and the conditions we support


The Role of Occupational Therapy in Ageing

Occupational therapy plays a crucial role in helping older adults maintain autonomy, reduce risk, and age in place for longer.

Key benefits include:

  • Greater independence in self-care and home tasks

  • Reduced falls risk through safety strategies and equipment

  • Support for memory loss, confusion, or executive function issues

  • Assistive technology and home modifications

  • Improved confidence and participation in daily life

  • Less reliance on family or formal care

  • Support for safe hospital discharge and recovery

  • Enhanced wellbeing through meaningful activity

OT empowers people to do what matters most - safely, confidently, and with dignity.

Our Aged Care Occupational Therapy Services

At Thrive Health Therapies, we provide a wide range of aged care OT services to meet the diverse needs of older adults across Adelaide. These include:

Daily Living Support

  • Strategies to support safe showering, dressing, and grooming

  • Energy conservation for fatigue and chronic illness

  • Cognitive prompts or tools to support routines

  • Education for carers and family members

Home Safety Assessments

  • In-home evaluations to identify risks or barriers

  • Advice on safe layouts, lighting, and furniture use

  • Recommendations to reduce falls risk and support mobility

Assistive Technology (AT) Prescription

  • Equipment such as shower chairs, over-toilet aids, bed sticks, kitchen tools, mobility aids, and more

  • Customised recommendations based on individual needs

  • Sourcing quotes and completing funding applications (e.g. for HCP or DVA)

Learn more about our Assistive Technology services

Home Modifications

  • Basic home modification recommendations (e.g. grab rails, ramps, bathroom adaptations)

  • Collaboration with builders and providers

  • Quotes and justification letters for funding support

Learn more about our home modifications services

Cognitive Support

  • Strategies for memory, attention, and executive functioning

  • Environmental modifications to support cognitive changes

  • Support for people with dementia or cognitive decline

Post-Hospital or Rehab Support

  • Transition planning to ensure a safe return home

  • Functional assessments to support discharge goals

  • Equipment and therapy to support mobility and confidence

Every service is based on your personal goals, lifestyle, and environment—and is delivered with compassion and respect.


What to Expect

Initial Assessment

Your OT will begin with a comprehensive assessment that may include:

  • Review of your medical history and current function

  • Discussion of your home setup, support network, and daily routines

  • Observation of tasks like walking, dressing, or preparing meals

  • Screening for falls risk, memory challenges, or safety concerns

  • Goal setting and development of an individualised care plan

Assessments may be completed at home, in clinic, or via telehealth - depending on your needs.

Follow-Up Therapy

Depending on your goals and funding, we may offer:

  • Ongoing therapy sessions to build function and confidence

  • Equipment trials, training, and adjustment

  • Education for carers, family members, or support workers

  • Monitoring and adjustment of goals as needs evolve

We collaborate closely with GPs, physiotherapists, and care coordinators to ensure a holistic and well-integrated approach.

Where We Deliver Services

We provide aged care OT throughout Adelaide and the Adelaide Hills via flexible service delivery options:

In-Home Occupational Therapy

Ideal for seniors receiving Home Care Packages, DVA support, or recovering from hospitalisation. We provide:

  • Functional and home safety assessments

  • Equipment and home modification recommendations

  • Therapy for daily living tasks

  • Cognitive and memory support

  • Falls prevention strategies

Learn more about mobile OT services

Residential Aged Care & Supported Accommodation

We work with residential facilities to provide:

  • Comprehensive functional assessments

  • Discharge planning and mobility support

  • Falls risk management and staff collaboration

  • Assistive technology and environmental advice

Clinic-Based OT – Findon

Our fully accessible clinic at 184 Findon Road, Findon offers a private, calm space for:

  • Equipment trials

  • Clinic-based therapy sessions

  • Cognitive assessments

  • Multidisciplinary collaboration with our allied health team

Learn more about our Findon clinic and gym

Telehealth OT

We offer video-based consultations for clients who prefer remote sessions. Ideal for:

  • Equipment follow-ups

  • Cognitive strategy sessions

  • Environmental consults

  • Clients in regional areas

Learn more about our telehealth services

Funding Options for Aged Care Occupational Therapy

Our aged care occupational therapy services are available through a range of funding options:

Learn more about the funding options we accept.

Client smiling whilst using a therapy band at home during a physiotherapy home visit

Why Choose Thrive Health Therapies for Aged Care OT?

  • No wait time: We can start working with you straight away!

  • Experienced: Our occupational therapists are senior clinicians with years of experience working with a wide range of presentations.

  • Extensive Coverage in the community: We serve a large geographical area, providing physiotherapy across all of metropolitan Adelaide from Gawler to Aldinga. We see clients at home, in their school, or at a location convenient to them. Learn more about our services areas.

  • Clinic space: Our fully accessible clinic and gym in Findon has been specially designed to be appropriate for a wide range of neurological presentations and disabilities.

  • Individualised care: Every client receives a personalised plan based on their unique needs and goals.

  • Neuroaffirming Practice: We provide compassionate and affirming services to support and empower neurodiverse individuals.

  • Multi-Disciplinary Approach: We offer a wide range of allied health services under one roof, allowing for a holistic approach to your health. Learn more about our team.

  • NDIS Provider: We provide services to National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) participants.

  • Funding Options: We accept a variety of funding options, helping our clients access the support they need.

  • LGBTQIA+ Friendly: We celebrate, value and include people of all backgrounds, genders, and sexualities, Our Findon clinic is a welcoming, safe and inclusive space for all LGBTQIA+ people.

Physiotherapist assisting client with ehlers danlos syndrome on a pilates machine during a physiotherapy session at the Thrive Health Therapies clinic in Findon, Adelaide

FAQs - Aged Care Occupational Therapy Adelaide

If you can’t find an answer to your question, please contact our friendly team on 0474 248 081 or email enquiries@thrivehealththerapies.com

  • Yes, we work with aged care facilities and retirement villages across Adelaide to deliver occupational therapy onsite. Learn more about our mobile occupational therapy services.

  • Absolutely. Many of our older clients prefer home visits, and we’re fully equipped to deliver quality care in your own space.

  • No! We can start working with new clients right away.

  • No! A referral is not needed to see one of our occupational therapists.

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