Homecare Equipment: Supporting Independence, Comfort and Choice at Home

Homecare equipment plays an important role in supporting people to live safely and comfortably in their own home. Whether a person is living with disability, ageing, or experiencing changes in mobility or stamina, the right equipment can reduce barriers, improve confidence and make daily routines more manageable.

Homecare equipment should feel like part of a supportive environment – not something that takes over the home. When chosen thoughtfully, it can help maintain independence, reduce physical strain and support meaningful daily activities.

Why Homecare Equipment Matters

Homecare equipment is designed to complement a person’s abilities and reduce the effort required for everyday tasks. It can support comfort, improve stability, make movements more predictable and enable safer one-person assistance where appropriate.

The right setup can help people remain in their preferred environment, maintain their routines and feel more in control of their daily life.

Start With Goals, Not a Diagnosis

Selecting homecare equipment is more effective when it begins with the person’s goals. Instead of focusing only on a medical condition, it helps to understand:

• What the person wants to continue doing independently
• Which tasks feel unsafe, unpredictable or physically taxing
• Where assistance needs to be more comfortable or easier
• When fatigue is most noticeable
• What parts of the home create barriers to routine activities

This approach ensures equipment aligns with real needs rather than becoming unused clutter.

Homecare Equipment That Supports Daily Life

Bathroom Equipment

Bathrooms can be difficult when mobility, strength or balance changes. Common options include shower chairs or stools, handheld shower hoses, grab rails, non-slip mats, raised toilet seats and over-toilet frames. These supports can improve stability and make showering and toileting more comfortable.

Bedroom and Bed-Based Equipment

A well-arranged bedroom setup can support rest, repositioning and overnight safety. Equipment may include adjustable electric beds, bedside rails, pressure-relief mattresses and accessible controls for lighting or height adjustment. These elements can reduce discomfort and support safer movement in and out of bed.

Mobility Equipment

Mobility equipment supports movement around the home and community. This may include walkers, rollators, wheelchairs, mobility scooters and other devices recommended by a clinician. Mobility equipment can help with balance, fatigue management and stable movement between rooms or activities.

Patient Transfer Equipment (or Aids)

Patient transfer equipment (sometime called transfer aids), assist with short, controlled movements such as sitting, standing or shifting between surfaces. Common options include slide sheets, transfer boards, pivoting aids and standing supports. These aids can help make transfers smoother and reduce effort for both the person and the support worker or family member.

Patient Lifting Equipment

Some people require lifting assistance when transferring independently is not safe or possible. Patient lifting equipment includes mobile hoists, ceiling hoists, slings and electric stand-assist devices. These supports help with movement between the bed, chair, shower or toilet when a higher level of assistance is required.

When Needs Increase: Where Integrated Solutions Can Help

As needs change, it’s common for homes to gradually accumulate multiple devices – for example, a hospital bed, mobile hoist, shower chair, commode, day chair and transfer aids. While each item serves a purpose, using several different pieces of equipment can add complexity and increase the number of steps required for everyday routines.

Integrated solutions like Behn provide an alternative for people with higher support needs. Instead of several separate devices, Behn brings multiple daily functions together in one system, including seating, resting, showering, toileting and an automated transfer pathway. This type of setup can support smoother routines, reduce manual handling and create a more consistent experience for the person and their supporters.

The Role of Occupational Therapists

Occupational therapists play a central role in evaluating a person’s needs and recommending appropriate equipment. An OT assessment may look at mobility, strength, balance, fatigue, communication, home layout, routine activities and long-term goals. This ensures equipment is suitable, safe and matches the person’s preferences.

OTs are also required for most NDIS and My Aged Care funding pathways, especially for equipment that is higher-risk, requires training or involves environmental considerations.

Planning for Long-Term Independence

A good homecare setup should work well now and adapt if needs change. When choosing equipment, it may help to consider:

• Will this support the person’s daily routines
• Will it remain suitable if mobility or support needs change
• Does it reduce effort for the person and their supporters
• Does it simplify daily activities
• Will it support long-term living at home

Well-chosen equipment should increase comfort, safety and choice.

Final Thoughts

Homecare equipment is an important part of creating a supportive and accessible home environment. When selected with guidance from an occupational therapist and aligned with a person’s goals, it can reduce barriers, support comfort and make daily routines easier. For people with higher support needs, integrated systems like Behn may help streamline daily activities and support long-term living at home in a familiar and meaningful setting.