Assistive technology (AT) is playing an increasingly important role in how older Australians are supported to live safely and independently at home. For aged care providers, particularly case managers/care coordinators, having a working understanding of assistive technology is not just useful, it directly affects the quality of care your clients receive and can help to avoid costly mistakes down the track.
The range of assistive technology available to older adults has expanded considerably in recent years, and so has the complexity of decisions around selecting, funding, and implementing it. Not every situation requires specialist input, but knowing when to refer to an occupational therapist can make a significant difference to both outcomes and efficiency.
The team at Optimal Living Therapy has put together this practical guide to help aged care providers navigate assistive technology, understand its purpose, and make better-informed decisions about when to seek specialist assessment.
What Aged Care Providers Need to Know About Assistive Technology
A basic understanding of assistive technology helps providers ask better questions, identify unmet needs, and work more effectively with OTs and allied health teams. Here are five things worth knowing.
#1 It Is Not Just About Safety
Assistive technology is often introduced in response to a safety concern, a fall risk, difficulty managing stairs, or declining mobility. That is a reasonable starting point, but it only tells part of the story. Assistive technology is just as important as a tool for independence and participation. The right equipment or environmental adaptation can mean the difference between a person managing their own morning routine or requiring full carer assistance. Between staying connected with family or becoming socially isolated. Between remaining at home or entering residential care sooner than necessary.
When assessing whether AT is appropriate, the question to ask is not just ‘is this person safe?’ but ‘what would allow this person to do more for themselves and stay engaged in the things that matter to them?’
#2 There Is No One-Size-Fits-All Solution
What works well for one person may be completely inappropriate for another, even where the functional need looks similar on the surface. Factors including digital literacy, cognitive capacity, physical dexterity, living environment, and personal preference all affect what assistive technology is actually usable and useful.
A voice-activated device might be transformative for one client and completely inaccessible for another who is unfamiliar with technology or has difficulty with speech or hearing. A particular type of walking frame might suit one person’s gait pattern while creating a trip hazard for someone else. Good AT selection requires an understanding of the whole person, not just the presenting need.
#3 Ongoing Support Is Often Needed
Introducing assistive technology is rarely a one-off event. Many clients, particularly older adults who are less familiar with technology or who are managing cognitive decline, require training and follow-up support to use new equipment effectively. Without that support, equipment is often abandoned or used incorrectly, which can create new safety risks and wastes resources.
Providers should build in time for education and follow-up when assistive technology is introduced. This might involve the OT who prescribed the equipment, a support worker with relevant training, or a family member who can assist with ongoing practice. It is also worth reviewing AT regularly as a person’s needs and capacity change over time.
#4 Early Introduction Produces Better Outcomes
There is consistent evidence in aged care that introducing assistive technology early, before a person reaches a point of crisis, produces better outcomes than waiting until intervention is urgent. When AT is introduced proactively, there is time to trial options, train the person in using equipment, and make adjustments based on how it is working in practice.
By contrast, when AT is introduced reactively, often following a fall, hospitalisation, or significant decline, there is less time for careful selection and adaptation, and the person may already be managing a higher level of anxiety, fatigue, or cognitive load that makes learning new systems more difficult. Supporting clients to think about assistive technology early is a meaningful way to extend their independence and reduce downstream care costs.
#5 Certain Assistive Technology Requires a Professional Assessment
Not all assistive technology can or should be selected without specialist input. For straightforward, low-risk items, a care coordinator with good product knowledge can often make a reasonable recommendation. But as complexity increases, so does the importance of involving an occupational therapist.
An OT brings clinical reasoning to the selection process. They can assess the person’s functional capacity, match it to appropriate technology options, and ensure that whatever is recommended is safe, suitable, and will actually be used. For higher-risk or higher-cost items, this level of rigour is not optional; it is what protects both the client and the provider.
When to Seek OT Support for Assistive Technology in Aged Care
The table below provides a practical guide for aged care providers on when OT input is not required, when it is worth considering, and when it is essential.
| Not necessary | Consider OT input | OT input essential |
| Low-risk, off-the-shelf items with no clinical assessment required. Examples: long-handled reacher, rubber jar opener, sock aid |
The client has more complex needs, or you are uncertain whether the equipment is the right fit eg: shower/bathroom sizes Examples: walking frame selection, shower chair or commode, basic home safety review, mild cognitive changes affecting AT use. |
The situation involves significant risk, high cost, or clinical complexity. Examples: powered mobility (scooters, electric wheelchairs), complex seating or pressure care, cognitive decline affecting safety, home modification recommendations, communication devices, stair or ramp access. |
| A care coordinator or support worker can select and introduce the item with basic product knowledge. | Refer to an OT for an assessment before purchasing or installing. An informal consultation may suffice for lower-cost items. | Do not proceed without an OT assessment. The risk of an incorrect recommendation is too high for the client and the provider. |
| If the client’s needs change or the item is not working as expected, reassess. | If the client or family are unsure, erring on the side of an OT referral is always appropriate. | NDIS and aged care funding for complex AT generally requires an OT report to support the recommendation. |
How Optimal Living Therapy Supports Aged Care Providers
At Optimal Living Therapy, our occupational therapists work with all older adults including who have complex needs, such as neurological conditions, cognitive decline, and significant functional impairment. Our team is experienced in assistive technology assessment across a range of environments and can support aged care providers in making well-reasoned, clinically appropriate recommendations for their clients.
If you have a client who you think may benefit from OT input for assistive technology or a broader functional assessment, we welcome an initial conversation. We can help you determine whether and how we might be able to support your client and what that would involve.
Visit our aged care services page to learn more about our work, or contact us to discuss a specific client or referral.
