How a stroke can affect daily life
- Weakness or reduced control in an arm, hand or leg
- Balance and walking changes
- Fatigue that is out of proportion to activity
- Changes in vision, attention, memory or planning
- Difficulty with communication or swallowing (usually with speech pathology)
- Changes in mood and confidence
What an OT does
Relearning self-care
Showering, dressing, grooming and eating can be practised using techniques that suit your abilities, such as one-handed methods or adapted equipment.
Hand and arm function
Your OT sets task-based practice that builds on your recovery, and can advise on splints and positioning with your treating team.
Making the home safer
The OT checks bathrooms, steps, bedrooms and kitchens, and recommends rails, seating, rearranged spaces or modifications. See our home safety checklist.
Fatigue and energy
Pacing, planning and prioritising help you do more of what matters without crashing. Read about fatigue management.
Thinking and vision changes
Strategies, routines and environment changes can reduce the impact of attention, memory or visual neglect on daily tasks.
Returning to roles and routines
This might include meal preparation, managing medicines, shopping, hobbies or work. Your goals shape the plan.
Why home-based OT helps. Practising in your own bathroom and kitchen means skills carry straight into daily life, and the OT can fix problems on the spot.
Support for family and carers
Carers can learn safe ways to assist, how to avoid doing too much and when to step back. This protects both you and them.
Start OT after stroke
Exercare's occupational therapists visit you at home across Melbourne, with no waitlist. One NDIS intake form gets you started.
Where we visit
Our occupational therapists visit homes across Melbourne, including Templestowe, Lower Templestowe, Doncaster and Bulleen. See occupational therapy across the City of Manningham or the pages for Templestowe and Lower Templestowe.
Funding
If you are an NDIS participant, OT after stroke can usually be funded when it links to your goals. Under 65 and not yet on the NDIS? Our guide to applying for the NDIS explains evidence needed. If you are older, Support at Home may fund allied health: see our Support at Home OT guide. Under the NDIS, occupational therapy is usually funded from Capacity Building – Improved Daily Living Skills (Category 15). Equipment is funded from Capital – Assistive Technology (Category 05) and home modifications from Capital – Home Modifications (Category 06). Self-funded OT is limited to functional capacity assessments for people applying for the NDIS.
Evidence referenced in this article
- Occupational Therapy Australia.
- Stroke Foundation: stroke recovery information.
- National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA): information for participants and providers.
Written by the Exercare allied health team. This article is general information only and is not a substitute for individual medical advice. Exercare provides mobile exercise physiology and NDIS occupational therapy across south-east and eastern Melbourne.
Frequently asked questions
When should OT start after a stroke?
Therapy usually starts in hospital or rehabilitation. Home-based OT continues that work once you are back home, and can start as soon as you are settled.
Can an OT help with arm and hand recovery?
Yes. OTs design task-based practice, and advise on positioning and equipment, working with your wider team.
Will I need home modifications?
Not always. Many people only need small changes or equipment. The OT will assess and explain options.
Is OT after stroke funded by the NDIS?
It can be for NDIS participants where it links to goals. Support at Home may fund it for older Australians.
Can family learn how to help safely?
Yes. We show family and carers safe ways to assist, so you stay as independent as possible while they stay well.