Adelaide Hills Occupational Therapy Services
Thrive Health Therapies provides experienced, evidence-based mobile occupational therapy for adults across the Adelaide Hills. Our occupational therapist comes to you, providing personalised assessments and practical support in your home or community.
We are currently welcoming new occupational therapy referrals in the Adelaide Hills.
Occupational Therapy Services Across the Adelaide Hills
Our mobile occupational therapy services are provided in homes and community settings throughout the Adelaide Hills. Seeing you in your usual environment allows your occupational therapist to understand the activities you complete, identify practical barriers and recommend strategies that are relevant to your daily life.
Support is tailored to your abilities, environment, priorities and goals. Depending on your needs, occupational therapy may include functional assessment, daily living support, rehabilitation, assistive technology, home safety recommendations, minor home modifications, manual handling guidance and collaboration with the people who support you.
Who we support: Adults, including older adults
Where we provide services: Homes and community locations across the Adelaide Hills
Service options: Mobile occupational therapy and telehealth appointments
Funding accepted: NDIS, Support at Home, DVA, private funding and eligible GP referrals
Where we work in the Adelaide Hills
How Our Adelaide Hills Occupational Therapist Can Help
Functional Capacity Assessments
A Functional Capacity Assessment evaluates how you manage everyday activities and identifies areas where support, equipment, therapy or environmental changes may be helpful.
The assessment may consider:
Personal care
Meal preparation
Household activities
Mobility and transfers
Communication
Cognition
Community access
Social participation
Work, study or volunteering
Support requirements
Home and Living needs
Where appropriate, our occupational therapist can prepare a comprehensive report to provide evidence of your functional abilities and support needs.
Learn more about Functional Capacity Assessments
Assistive Technology Assessments
Assistive technology includes equipment and products that can make everyday activities safer or easier.
Our occupational therapist can assess your needs, help identify suitable equipment, collaborate with suppliers, coordinate trials and provide written recommendations or funding evidence where required.
Assistive technology may include:
Shower and toileting equipment
Seating and pressure care equipment
Mobility equipment
Transfer equipment
Bed and positioning supports
Daily living aids
Environmental controls
Other specialised equipment
Learn more about assistive technology assessments
Home Modification Assessments
Home modifications may improve accessibility, safety and independence within your home.
Our occupational therapist can assess how you access and move through your home, identify environmental barriers and recommend appropriate changes. Depending on your needs, recommendations may include:
Grab rails
Handrails
Ramps
Threshold modifications
Bathroom modifications
Access changes
Minor environmental modifications
More complex home modifications requiring additional assessment and documentation
Recommendations are based on your abilities, home environment, long-term needs and relevant funding requirements.
Learn more about home modification assessments
Daily Living and Independence
Our occupational therapist can help you develop practical strategies for everyday activities such as:
Showering, dressing and grooming
Toileting
Meal preparation
Household tasks
Shopping
Managing daily routines
Accessing appointments and community activities
Returning to meaningful hobbies and interests
Support focuses on the activities that matter to you and may involve practising skills, changing how a task is completed or introducing suitable equipment.
Rehabilitation Following Illness, Injury or Surgery
Occupational therapy can support your transition home and recovery following illness, injury, surgery or a hospital admission.
Your occupational therapist may help you:
Rebuild skills for everyday activities
Adapt tasks while you recover
Identify appropriate equipment
Improve safety within your home
Manage changes in mobility or endurance
Establish practical daily routines
Prepare for discharge from hospital or rehabilitation
Coordinate with your family and treating team
Fatigue and Energy Management
Fatigue, pain and reduced physical endurance can make everyday activities more difficult.
Your occupational therapist can help you identify how your energy is used throughout the day and develop practical strategies such as pacing, prioritising activities, simplifying tasks, adjusting routines and using appropriate equipment.
The aim is to help you use your available energy for the activities that are most important to you.
Cognitive Strategies
Changes in memory, attention, planning, problem-solving or organisation can affect daily routines and independence.
Occupational therapy may include:
Establishing supportive routines
Using calendars, prompts and reminders
Breaking complex activities into manageable steps
Organising important items and information
Developing strategies for appointments and medications
Modifying tasks or environments
Providing education to family members or support workers
Recommendations are tailored to your individual abilities, preferences and environment.
Falls Prevention and Home Safety
Your occupational therapist can assess how you complete daily activities and move around your home to identify potential safety risks.
Recommendations may include:
Changing how tasks are completed
Rearranging frequently used items
Improving access and circulation space
Introducing appropriate equipment
Installing rails or other modifications
Addressing bathroom and transfer safety
Developing strategies to reduce falls risk
Manual Handling and Transfer Support
We can assess transfers and physical support requirements within your home.
Where required, your occupational therapist may recommend equipment, develop an individualised manual handling plan and provide practical training for family members, carers or support workers.
Community Access and Participation
Occupational therapy can help you identify and address barriers to accessing your community and participating in meaningful activities.
Support may include:
Planning community outings
Assessing transport options
Trialling mobility equipment
Developing confidence with everyday community activities
Establishing routines
Identifying appropriate support or environmental changes
Who Can Access Occupational Therapy in the Adelaide Hills?
Our Adelaide Hills occupational therapy service supports adults managing a variety of health conditions, disabilities and functional challenges.
This may include people living with:
Neurological disabilities
Stroke
Acquired brain injury
Multiple sclerosis
Parkinson’s disease
Spinal cord injury
Cerebral palsy
Orthopaedic conditions
Vascular conditions
Medical and surgical conditions
Age-related functional changes
Frailty
Dementia
Physical disabilities
Intellectual disabilities
Psychosocial disabilities
Chronic health conditions
Pain or fatigue
Reduced mobility or independence
You do not need to know exactly which occupational therapy service you require before contacting us. Our team can discuss your needs and determine whether our Adelaide Hills occupational therapy service is appropriate.
What to Expect at Your First Occupational Therapy Appointment
Your occupational therapist will take time to understand your health, daily activities, current challenges and the goals that matter to you.
Depending on your needs, the first appointment may include:
Discussing the activities you need and want to complete
Reviewing your current supports and equipment
Observing how you complete relevant everyday activities
Assessing mobility and transfers
Considering cognition, fatigue, pain or safety
Reviewing your home or community environment
Identifying barriers affecting your independence
Discussing your funding and reporting requirements
Because the assessment occurs in your own environment, your occupational therapist can consider the practical challenges you experience in everyday life.
We will then discuss our recommendations with you and develop a personalised plan. This may include further assessment, practical therapy, equipment trials, home modifications, written reports or collaboration with your family, support workers and other health professionals.
Mobile Occupational Therapy in Your Home or Community
Occupational Therapy in Your Home
A home visit also allows your occupational therapist to understand how you manage everyday activities in your actual environment. This can be particularly important for assistive technology, home safety, functional assessments and home modification recommendations.
Occupational Therapy in the Community
Appointments may take place in an appropriate community location when this relates to your goals. This could include assessing community access, trialling mobility equipment, visiting local facilities or practising everyday activities outside the home.
Occupational Therapy via Telehealth
Where clinically appropriate, we can provide occupational therapy consultations through a secure video call.
Reduced Occupational Therapy Travel Fees in the Adelaide Hills
Having an occupational therapist based in the Adelaide Hills allows us to provide more localised services and reduce travel fees for many adults in the region. It also means less time is spent travelling between appointments, helping us provide more flexible and efficient occupational therapy services across the Hills.
The travel required will depend on your location and therapist availability. We will explain any anticipated travel charges before services commence so you can make an informed decision.
If you are unsure whether we service your suburb, contact our team and we can confirm current coverage and provide an estimate of the applicable travel fee.
Why Choose Thrive Health Therapies for Adelaide Hills Occupational Therapy?
Local Adelaide Hills coverage: Our mobile occupational therapist provides appointments in homes and community settings throughout the Adelaide Hills.
Experienced adult occupational therapy: Jessica has over 11 years of experience working with adults across acute, rehabilitation and community settings.
Broad clinical experience: Jessica has supported adults with neurological disabilities, orthopaedic and vascular conditions, geriatric conditions, and a range of medical and surgical presentations.
Mobile service: We come to you, reducing the need to travel and allowing assessment and therapy to occur in your everyday environment.
Reduced travel fees: Local coverage helps reduce travel time and associated fees for many Adelaide Hills clients.
Practical recommendations: We focus on strategies, equipment and environmental changes that can be incorporated into daily life.
Individualised support: Your occupational therapy service is based on your abilities, preferences, environment and meaningful goals.
Collaborative approach: With your consent, we can work with family members, carers, support workers, support coordinators, medical professionals and other health providers.
Current availability: We are currently accepting new adult occupational therapy referrals in the Adelaide Hills.
Meet Our Adelaide Hills Occupational Therapist
Jessica Ciarla (she/her)
Senior Occupational Therapist
Jess has over 11 years experience in acute, rehabilitation and community settings working with adults with a range of diagnoses including orthopaedic/vascular conditions, geriatric conditions, neurological disabilities and a range of medical and surgical conditions. Jess has a great interest and passion to work with NDIS participants and support them to achieve their goals and develop new skills and greater independence to maximise their health and wellbeing throughout daily life. In her spare time, Jess enjoys spending time with her family and friends and is a mum to two young daughters.
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Jessica provides support across the following:
Age Groups: Adults
Service Locations: Findon Clinic & throughout metropolitan Adelaide
Therapy Services: Functional capacity, assistive technology, manual handling & home modification assessments
Clinical Expertise In:
Neurological disorders: stroke, TBI, MS, Parkinson’s disease, SCI, dementia & cerebral palsy
Autism
Intellectual Disabilities
Dementia & Aging
Funding Options for Occupational Therapy
Thrive Health Therapies welcomes clients accessing occupational therapy through:
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
Support at Home
Private health insurance
Private funding
GP Chronic Condition Management Plan (GPCCMP)
Funding availability depends on the individual plan, policy or eligibility.
A GP referral is not required for NDIS-funded or privately funded services. An appropriate GP referral and care plan are required to claim eligible Medicare rebates through a GPCCMP.
Frequently Asked Questions About Adelaide Hills Occupational Therapy
If you can’t find an answer to your question, please contact our friendly team on 0474 248 081 or email enquiries@thrivehealththerapies.com
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Yes. We provide occupational therapy in homes and suitable community locations throughout the Adelaide Hills.
Availability and travel charges depend on your location, so please contact us with your suburb and we can confirm whether we currently service your area.
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Our Adelaide Hills mobile occupational therapy service is available to adults, including older adults.
We support people living with neurological disabilities, orthopaedic and vascular conditions, age-related changes, medical and surgical conditions, physical disabilities and other complex health needs.
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An occupational therapist can help when disability, injury, illness or changes in health make everyday activities more difficult.
Support may include functional assessment, daily living strategies, rehabilitation, assistive technology, home modifications, fatigue management, cognitive strategies, home safety and community participation.
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Your occupational therapist will discuss your health, daily activities, current challenges and goals. They may observe relevant everyday activities and assess your mobility, transfers, cognition, fatigue, safety, equipment or home environment.
They will then discuss their recommendations with you and explain any proposed next steps.
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Yes. Where appropriate, our occupational therapist can complete Functional Capacity Assessments in your home in the Adelaide Hills.
A home-based assessment allows the occupational therapist to understand how you complete everyday activities in your usual environment.
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Yes. Our occupational therapist can assess whether equipment may improve your safety, independence or participation in daily activities.
This may include identifying suitable options, collaborating with equipment suppliers, coordinating trials and preparing written recommendations or funding evidence.
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Yes. Our occupational therapist can assess home access and safety and recommend suitable modifications.
The type of assessment and documentation required will depend on the proposed modification, your needs and the relevant funding requirements.
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Yes. Occupational therapy can support your transition home and help you adapt daily activities during recovery.
This may include equipment recommendations, home safety assessment, daily living strategies and support to rebuild independence.
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Eligible NDIS participants may be able to use their funding for occupational therapy when the service relates to their disability support needs and NDIS goals.
Thrive Health Therapies can support participants whose plans are self-managed, plan-managed or NDIA-managed.
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Depending on your eligibility, you may be able to access occupational therapy through Support at Home, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, private funding or a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan.
Please contact our team if you are unsure whether your funding can be used.
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You do not usually need a referral to access privately funded or NDIS-funded occupational therapy.
Appropriate referral documentation is required for some other funding arrangements, including DVA and Medicare rebates through a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan.
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Yes. Family members, carers and support workers are welcome to attend when you would like them to be involved.
With your consent, your occupational therapist can provide education and practical guidance to help the people supporting you understand and implement recommendations.
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Where appropriate, our occupational therapist can assess transfers and physical support requirements and prepare an individualised manual handling plan.
Practical training may also be provided to family members, carers and support workers.
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Travel fees may apply to mobile occupational therapy appointments.
Because we have an occupational therapist covering the Adelaide Hills locally, travel fees are reduced for many adults in the region. We will explain the anticipated travel charges before your services commence.
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Yes. We are currently accepting new adult occupational therapy referrals in the Adelaide Hills.
Appointment availability may vary depending on your location, preferred times and the type of occupational therapy support required.
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Fees depend on the service, funding arrangement, appointment location and whether travel, equipment trials or reporting are required.
Contact our team for current fees and an estimate based on the service you need.
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You can complete our online adult referral form, call us on 0474 248 081 or email enquiries@thrivehealththerapies.com.
Please include your Adelaide Hills suburb and a brief description of the occupational therapy support you are seeking. Our team will contact you to discuss your needs, funding and appointment availability.
Additional Services We Offer
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Our occupational therapy services support children, adults, and older adults to build independence and participate more fully in daily life. We help with personal care, household tasks, mobility, and community access through tailored strategies, equipment recommendations, and goal-focused support.
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Our speech pathology services support clients of all ages to improve communication, feeding and swallowing function. We help with speech clarity, language development, social communication, and safe eating through personalised therapy and practical, goal-focused strategies.
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Our Allied Health Assistants support clients to carry out therapy programs that build strength, improve mobility, and enhance daily function. Working under clinician supervision, they help you stay active, practise therapy tasks, and work toward your goals with consistent, hands-on support.
Learn more about our Allied Health Assistant services.
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