An independent living skills assessment looks at the practical abilities that support safety, independence and participation in everyday life.
Total Health Choice provides in-home Occupational Therapy assessments for people across Melbourne.
An independent living skills assessment encompasses various aspects of daily life, focusing on the abilities required to maintain independence and carry out everyday tasks.
These skills cover a wide range of small and large activities, such as personal care tasks like showering, dressing and toileting, as well as more complex tasks like preparing meals, grocery shopping and managing household chores.
Total Health Choice provides independent living skills assessments to people at their homes throughout Melbourne.
The assessment, known as a functional assessment, comprehensively evaluates a person’s capabilities across multiple domains of daily living.
This includes mobility, transfers, sensory needs, mental health, communication, self-care, domestic responsibilities and community engagement.
Our Occupational Therapists gain insights into functional abilities and limitations through this evaluation. Based on the findings, they collaborate with the participant to identify meaningful goals and develop strategies to enhance independence in specific tasks.
The assessment itself takes approximately one to one-and-a-half hours to complete.
Assessment outcomes and strategies are tailored to the individual’s goals, circumstances and current abilities.
Objective: Enhance the participant’s ability to independently carry out personal care tasks such as showering, dressing and toileting, supporting greater self-sufficiency in daily routines.
Objective: Support the participant to acquire cooking and meal-planning skills, helping them prepare nutritious and balanced meals more independently.
Objective: Improve social and communication skills to support meaningful interactions outside the home, community participation and reduced feelings of isolation.
Objective: Support the participant to develop organisational skills and techniques for household tasks, including cleaning, making the bed and maintaining a tidy living space.
Objective: Build confidence with grocery shopping, including creating shopping lists, budgeting and making informed choices to support nutritional needs.
The role of an Occupational Therapist involves addressing the challenges a person may experience in daily life.
Where challenges are physical, the therapist may recommend assistive technology such as wheelchairs or mobility scooters to support mobility.
Where challenges are connected to mental health, such as anxiety in crowded places, the therapist may recommend practical strategies such as attending supermarkets at quieter times or arranging support-worker assistance.
Once the assessment is completed, the Occupational Therapist prepares a detailed report outlining current functionality and personalised recommendations. This may be forwarded to a support coordinator to review available funding in an NDIS plan.
Where additional funding is required, the therapist can prepare a separate report to support the request.
To help ensure recommended equipment meets the person’s needs, the Occupational Therapist may arrange trials with the participant and an equipment supplier.
For example, where a power wheelchair is recommended, the therapist can organise a real-world trial in a community setting to assess its suitability.
When recommended equipment is approved, further training may be provided to support safe and effective use, including practical instruction and real-life practice.
OT Team Leader
Occupational Therapist
Occupational Therapist
Occupational Therapist
Occupational Therapist
Occupational Therapist
Occupational Therapist
Occupational Therapist
Occupational Therapist
“Very happy with Julia’s work. Her report was incredibly detailed, with recommendations that covered all my needs and more supports than I would have asked for.”
Itai T
Client
“I am so happy to have a wonderful Occupational Therapist. She is working with me and my family and helping me with my disability.”
Brendon H
Client
“Winnie is friendly, polite and very good at her job. She has been a great help with making me independent.”
Travis B
Client
We welcome you to view our staff page and Occupational Therapy services to learn more about our caring clinicians.
Please use our contact page to get started. We would love to hear from you.
Funding for independent living skills assessments is primarily sourced through the NDIS. Under an NDIS plan, allied health funding may cover these assessments.
Most Total Health Choice clients access the assessment through NDIS funding. Private clients can also book an assessment and cover the cost directly.
Yes. Our focus is to assess a person’s ability to manage daily tasks independently, whether at their current home or a prospective property.
We are experienced with NDIS SIL housing and can help identify ways for a person to live more independently in their new home.
Where relevant, we can complete an assessment or joint visit at the proposed property.
Speak with Total Health Choice about an independent living skills assessment and practical recommendations aligned with your goals.
