Occupational Therapy for Palliative Care
A life-limiting illness can slowly change how you manage the everyday moments that matter most, from getting comfortable to simply staying part of family life. Occupational therapy in palliative care focuses on comfort, dignity and doing what matters to you, with support that comes to you at home across Brisbane.
If you would like to talk through how we can help, book a complimentary 15-minute call and we will guide you on the next step.
What is Occupational Therapy in palliative care?
Occupational therapy in palliative care is about helping you keep doing the things that matter to you, as comfortably and independently as possible, at whatever stage you are at. Working alongside your medical and palliative care team, our occupational therapists look at the practical side of daily life, such as managing fatigue, staying comfortable, moving safely, and setting up your home so it supports you and the people caring for you.
How occupational therapy can help
- Energy and fatigue management, so you can save your energy for the activities that matter most to you
- Comfort and positioning, including seating, cushions and pressure-care equipment for rest and daily activities
- Assistive equipment and minor aids to support safer transfers, showering, toileting and moving around the home
- Home set-up and safety advice for you and the family members or carers supporting you
- Support to keep taking part in meaningful roles, routines and activities for as long as possible
- Practical education and reassurance for carers and family on how to help day to day
- Guidance on practical questions that can come with a changing diagnosis, including driving
Who we support
We work with adults living with a life-limiting illness, including people receiving cancer care and palliative care, and the families and carers supporting them. Our occupational therapists also have experience with neurodegenerative and other complex conditions, so we can adapt as needs change over time.
What to expect
We start with a gentle, individualised assessment, usually in your own home, where your occupational therapist takes the time to understand what matters to you, how you are managing day to day, and where a little support would help most. From there we suggest practical steps, such as equipment, positioning or changes to how activities are done, and we review and adjust these as your needs change, always at a pace that feels right for you and your family.
How we deliver this service
- Mobile (preferred): our occupational therapists come to you at home or in your community, where daily life actually happens
- Telehealth: online appointments where an in-person visit is not required or a shorter check-in will do
- In person: fortnightly appointments within the SpeechCare premises at 876 Old Cleveland Rd, Carina QLD 4152
- Service area: Brisbane and surrounds, generally within about one hour or 100km of the Brisbane CBD, including the Gold Coast
- Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 3:00pm, closed weekends. All appointments are by booking.
How this service can be funded
- NDIS: self-managed and plan-managed participants
- NIISQ (National Injury Insurance Scheme Queensland)
- Support at Home (aged care) and other aged-care funding, where occupational therapy is included
- Private and self-funded clients
Frequently Asked Questions
An occupational therapist helps you keep doing daily activities as comfortably and safely as possible. This can include managing fatigue, arranging comfortable seating and equipment, setting up the home, and supporting the roles and routines that matter to you, all alongside your medical and palliative care team.
Yes. Mobile is our preferred way of working, and seeing you at home means we can tailor equipment and advice to your actual living space. We travel throughout Brisbane and surrounds, within about one hour or 100km of the CBD, including the Gold Coast, and telehealth is available where an in-person visit is not required.
Occupational therapists can suggest energy-management strategies, sometimes called pacing, to help you use your energy for the activities that matter most to you. What works is different for everyone, so any suggestions are tailored to you and reviewed as things change.
Yes. We can assess and recommend equipment such as pressure-care seating and cushions, shower and toileting aids, and equipment to help with safer transfers and moving around the home, and we prepare the information your funder may need to consider it.
Occupational therapy for palliative care may be funded through self-managed or plan-managed NDIS plans, NIISQ, aged-care funding such as Support at Home, or privately. We are happy to talk through the options with you. For fees, see our pricing page or ask us during your call.
No referral is needed to contact us. Referrals are also welcome from GPs, specialists, community palliative care teams, support coordinators, plan managers and allied health colleagues through our referral form.
Sometimes. A medical condition or its treatment can affect driving, and an occupational therapy driving assessment can help you understand what is safe and what options exist. We can talk through whether this is relevant for your situation.
Ready to arrange support?
If you or someone you love could use practical support at home, we are here to help with care and without pressure. Book a complimentary 15-minute call to talk through your situation, or send a referral, and we will explain the next steps, timeframes and what an assessment involves before anything is booked.
This information is general in nature and is not a substitute for personalised medical or health advice. Occupational therapy works alongside your medical and palliative care team. Please speak with your treating team or an occupational therapist about your individual needs.