Occupational Therapy assessment and chair prescription to support safer sitting, standing, comfort and independence at home.
Our mobile Occupational Therapists assess how a person transfers from a chair and recommend practical seating options based on their functional needs, home environment and long-term goals.
As part of a comprehensive home and mobility assessment, we assess a person’s ability to transition from sitting to standing, both from a toilet and from chairs.
When a person is pushing down hard on the base of a chair, pulling themselves up using nearby furniture, or showing general weakness during the sit-to-stand movement, we may consider altering the chair type to better accommodate their needs.
Our Occupational Therapists are mobile across Melbourne and can prescribe appropriate home equipment, as well as support comprehensive home modifications where relevant.
As a provider of holistic Occupational Therapy, we consider the use of all chairs within the home.
This may include:
Recommendations are tailored to the person’s needs, including pressure-care requirements where relevant.
We have existing relationships with equipment suppliers and can explore a range of options to support each client’s individual needs.
To identify the most appropriate chair, we contact suppliers to see whether they have options that can accommodate specific height, weight and functional requirements.
We can then arrange an equipment trial to help ensure the person is comfortable and can use the chair safely before purchase.
Chairs may be customised in several ways:
A foot rest is an attachment to a chair that allows an individual to recline or elevate their legs.
It may be used for comfort and can also assist with reducing swelling or oedema in the lower limbs where this is required.
A foot rest may include an extension so the lower limb is fully supported, rather than allowing feet to dangle off the edge.
An over-chair table has a base designed to slide underneath a recliner chair, allowing the table to sit over the person’s lap.
This can make it easier to eat, watch television or engage in leisure activities while seated.
It can provide comfort and freedom for people who may otherwise be restricted by conventional furniture arrangements.
Assistive chairs are one of our most requested items.
We can prescribe them to NDIS participants over 18, Home Care Package clients and private-paying adults.
A chair with high pressure-care functionality may assist with reducing the chance of further pressure injuries while also supporting healing of existing injuries.
Our university-trained Occupational Therapists visit your home and help identify the most appropriate chair for your long-term clinical needs.
We can support purchase from our preferred equipment suppliers or from a supplier of your choice.
Once an appointment is scheduled, a qualified Occupational Therapist can accompany you to review potential chairs.
We can also arrange for chairs to be brought to your home, allowing us to trial suitable options in the environment where the chair will be used.
Choice and control remain important throughout the process. You can consider colour, material and design preferences alongside the functional requirements of the chair and your home.
Our aim is to help you feel comfortable with the chair, confident in using it and supported in making a decision that works for your home.
Speak with Total Health Choice about an Occupational Therapy chair assessment, assistive technology trial and practical seating recommendations.
