Equipment solutions are items that are portable and designed to help make particular day to day tasks of concern easier or safer for you and/or those caring for you. The inclusion of equipment aims to adapt or compliment the way a task is completed, with the aim to support your independence. 

If some equipment is suggested for you to try, the OT will outline the process to apply for MOH/Whaikaha funding if eligibility is established. With your consent the next step to getting the equipment is for the OT to complete an application for the equipment item/s you require. Equipment applications for items that fall into band 1 or band 2 catalogue are included in the initial assessment price of $315.

If the equipment application is successful, once the equipment is available to trial you will require a follow up visit with the OT at your home. The OT will set up, adjust and demonstrate how to safely use the equipment during this appointment and address any questions or concerns you may have. Following this assessment if the equipment is working well for you, you can keep it in place. If it is not, the OT can discuss some other potential items which may be better suited.

Your OT is here to work with you, and proposed solutions only serve as recommendations. You are the expert on your abilities, goals and your desires, we do our best to factor this in but ultimately you have the final say.

If we are unable to solve an area of concern or risk within your home with equipment solutions, we will assess whether something more permanent like modifications to the existing home may be appropriate. These are changes to the physical home environment that may present as an existing or future barrier or could be better adapted to support your safety.

Common household barriers include:

• Narrow Doorways
• External property access
• Internal steps and internal lips
• Shower over baths
• Shower cubicles
• Low toilet height

Examples of Solutions:

• Placement of internal/external grab rails
• Re-hinging a door
• Installation of bidets
• Ramps
• Stair lifts
• Platform lifts
• Level access shower
• Door widening

All MOH/Whaikaha funded housing modifications require property owner consent before proceeding. All housing modifications require a quotation from an approved contractor.

For basic housing modifications the OT can take photos and measurements to obtain a quote via email. For complex modifications photos, measurements and drawings are completed during the initial assessment for MOH/Whaikaha consideration before conditional approval which then requires a joint visit at the home with the OT and contractor for a quotation.

Using a mobility aid such as a wheelchair can make daily activities, like showering, cooking, dressing, or going to work, more challenging. At Independent Spaces, our Occupational Therapists use their expertise to help clients regain or improve their ability to perform daily tasks and work-related activities.

This may involve purposeful activities or recommending specialized equipment and adaptations, such as chair lifts or bathroom modifications. We also provide comprehensive Wheelchair and Seating Assessments to ensure the wheelchair meets your mobility needs, both at home and in the community. The right wheelchair must fit you properly and support your posture, sitting, and movement requirements.

Wheelchair Types:

• Manual self propelling
• Manual transit wheelchair
• Tilt in space wheelchair – transit or self propelling
• Powered wheelchairs RWD/MWD/FWD

Our occupational therapists start by assessing your mobility, seating, and posture needs, focusing on the activities that are important to you. We are WMPM L1 accredited, meaning we can apply for Ministry of Health funding (for eligible clients) and have experience in prescribing wheelchairs. There’s quite a lot to consider when providing a wheelchair including your height and leg length.

We’ll explore mobility solutions to help you engage in everyday tasks, conducting thorough assessments of your physical range of motion, postural support, pain, and skin integrity. Our mobility assessments consider the environments where you live, work, and play, ensuring we recommend the most appropriate wheelchair and seating options for your specific needs. We’ll also discuss your current wheelchair or suggest new options based on our expert assessment, always keeping in mind the activities you want to do with greater ease in your daily life.

It is crucial for all housing to meet a person’s functional needs to ensure their safety, comfort, and independence. A well-designed home can significantly improve quality of life, particularly for individuals with physical, cognitive, or sensory challenges. When housing is not adequately adapted, daily activities such as moving around, cooking, or bathing can become difficult or unsafe.

Social housing including Housing NZ, Kāinga Ora and Tāmaki Regeneration is no exception. Occupational therapists play a vital role in this process by assessing an individual’s specific needs within their home environment. We can provide detailed letters and reports to housing providers, Ministry of Social Development (MSD) or Work and Income New Zealand (WINZ), outlining necessary features such as ramps, wider doorways, grab bars, or level access showers to enhance safety and accessibility. This professional input helps ensure that the housing is suitable and supports the individual’s and families ability to live independently, reducing the risk of accidents and promoting long-term well-being.

At Independent Spaces, we have extensive experience and a deep passion for ensuring that social housing meets the functional needs of individuals. Our occupational therapists are committed to advocating for the necessary modifications and supports to create safe, accessible, and empowering environments. Through personalised assessments and detailed reports, we work closely with housing providers to ensure that each home is suited to support the safety, comfort, and functional independence of its residents.

Our turn around time for completing these support letters and reports is within 2 business days of our home assessment.