A Practical Guide to My Aged Care Therapy

When everyday tasks start taking more effort, the right therapy can make the difference between coping at home and feeling confident at home. This guide to My Aged Care therapy explains how allied health services may support mobility, safety, communication, strength and independence, and what to expect from the process.

Your guide to My Aged Care therapy

My Aged Care is the Australian Government entry point for people seeking subsidised aged care services. It helps determine what support an older person may be eligible to receive, whether they need occasional help, ongoing services at home or more comprehensive care.

Therapy is not automatically included simply because someone has registered with My Aged Care. The support recommended depends on an individual assessment, their daily function, health needs, goals and the services available through their approved aged care program. This is why a clear assessment and a well-considered care plan matter.

For many older Australians, allied health therapy is most valuable when it is focused on a real-life goal. That could be walking safely to the letterbox, managing stairs after surgery, reducing falls risk, staying active with arthritis, using the bathroom more safely or continuing to communicate confidently with family and friends.

Start with the assessment process

The first step is to contact My Aged Care and request an assessment. The assessment helps identify the level of support required and may lead to approval for services delivered in the home or community. A family member, friend or authorised representative can assist if the person needs support making the call or providing information.

Be ready to describe what is becoming difficult. General statements such as “Mum is slowing down” can be useful, but practical examples give the assessor a clearer picture. Explain whether there have been falls, pain affecting movement, trouble with showering or dressing, difficulty preparing meals, concerns about memory, loss of confidence outside the home or changes after a hospital stay.

Bring the whole picture

Health conditions are only one part of the conversation. The assessor should also understand the person’s home environment, informal support network, cultural preferences and personal goals. Someone may be medically stable but still need an occupational therapy assessment because their bathroom layout creates a falls risk. Another person may need physiotherapy or exercise physiology to rebuild capacity after illness, even if they can currently get around the house.

A GP referral is not always required to begin the My Aged Care process. However, recent medical information, a medication list and reports from treating health professionals can help ensure the assessment reflects current needs. In some circumstances, a referral or clinical recommendation may be needed before a particular therapy service begins.

What therapies may be available?

The therapies included in an aged care plan will depend on the assessment outcome, approved service category, provider availability and care goals. Funding rules and service inclusions can change, so it is sensible to confirm what is covered before appointments are booked.

Physiotherapy can help address pain, reduced balance, joint stiffness, post-operative rehabilitation and mobility concerns. Treatment may include hands-on therapy, tailored exercise, gait training and practical strategies to make everyday movement easier and safer.

Occupational therapy focuses on doing the tasks that make up daily life. An occupational therapist may assess showering, dressing, transfers, cooking, fatigue management and home safety. They can recommend practical aids, changes to routines or home modifications that support independence without making the home feel clinical.

Exercise physiology can be particularly helpful for older people managing chronic conditions, deconditioning or reduced confidence with activity. A structured, appropriately paced program can build strength, balance and cardiovascular fitness. The goal is not simply to exercise more, but to improve capacity for the activities that matter most.

Podiatry supports foot health, footwear advice, mobility and comfort. Small foot problems can have a major effect on balance and willingness to walk, especially for people living with diabetes, arthritis or poor circulation.

Speech therapy may assist with communication, voice changes, cognition strategies or swallowing concerns. If swallowing has changed, timely assessment is essential, particularly where coughing during meals, recurrent chest infections or unexplained weight loss are present.

Psychology can also form part of whole-person care. Adjusting to reduced mobility, persistent pain, grief, illness or changing independence can affect mood and motivation. Therapy can provide practical support for coping, confidence and emotional wellbeing.

Choose therapy that works together

The most effective therapy plan is rarely a collection of unrelated appointments. For example, a physiotherapist may help improve leg strength and walking tolerance, while an occupational therapist assesses whether the person can safely manage the shower and kitchen. If pain, anxiety or poor sleep are slowing progress, other allied health input may also be appropriate.

This coordinated approach avoids asking an older person or their family to repeat the same history at every service. It also helps clinicians work towards the same outcome, such as remaining at home safely after a fall or returning to regular community activities after hospitalisation.

At Allied Health Co, our multidisciplinary team can coordinate physiotherapy, occupational therapy, podiatry, exercise physiology, psychology and other allied health supports in one purpose-built Gregory Hills clinic. Where clinically appropriate, this allows care to be planned around the person rather than around separate providers.

Questions to ask before therapy begins

Before committing to a provider, ask how they will tailor treatment to the person’s needs and whether they have experience supporting older adults. It is also reasonable to ask about appointment length, likely out-of-pocket costs, access requirements, communication with family or carers and how progress will be reviewed.

Four questions are especially useful:

• What functional goal will this therapy address?

• How will progress be measured and shared with us?

• What services are funded, and what costs may remain?

• Can the therapist coordinate with our GP, care manager and other treating clinicians?

The right answer will vary. A person recovering from a fracture may need short-term, intensive rehabilitation. Someone managing Parkinson’s disease, osteoarthritis or repeated falls may benefit more from ongoing therapy and regular plan reviews. What matters is that the frequency and type of treatment match the person’s capacity, priorities and funding arrangements.

Make the plan practical at home

A therapy plan only succeeds if it fits into ordinary life. Exercises should be achievable, equipment should be safe and easy to use, and recommendations should account for fatigue, transport, caring responsibilities and confidence. A complex program that is never completed is less useful than a simple routine practised consistently.

Family members and carers can play a valuable role, but they should not be expected to replace professional assessment. They can help notice changes, encourage attendance and support agreed home strategies. With the older person’s consent, including carers in key discussions can make the plan more realistic and reduce confusion.

It is also worth reviewing therapy after significant changes, including a fall, hospital admission, new diagnosis, rapid decline in mobility or increased difficulty with personal care. Needs can change quickly, and early intervention may prevent a temporary setback from becoming a loss of independence.

The best aged care therapy feels purposeful: it supports safer movement, greater confidence and more choice in everyday life. Start with the goal that matters most to you or your family member, then build the care around it.