VETERANS
Occupational Therapy for Veterans
Practical support for everyday independence
Health N Able provides mobile Occupational Therapy services for eligible Veteran Card holders across the Moreton Bay region and surrounding suburbs of Brisbane, including Bribie Island.
Fiona James has worked with members of the veteran community for more than 24 years. Her approach is practical, respectful and focused on supporting safety, independence and participation in everyday life.
How Occupational Therapy Can Help
Occupational Therapy may assist when a health condition, injury or change in function is making everyday activities more difficult.
An assessment may consider:
How you manage personal and daily activities
Mobility within the home and community
Falls risks and home safety
Access to different areas of your home
Seating, positioning and pressure care needs
Whether equipment or home modifications may assist
Education and strategies for the safe use of equipment
Recommendations are based on your assessed clinical needs, home environment and the activities that are important to you.
Assessment Services
Assessment of your daily activities, mobility, functional abilities and home environment to identify needs, risks and appropriate recommendations.
This may include:
Functional assessment
Home safety assessment
Falls risk assessment
Mobility and accessibility assessment
Seating and pressure care assessment
Wheelchair and mobility equipment assessment
Aids and Equipment
Health N Able can assess and prescribe eligible aids and equipment through the Department of Veterans’ Affairs Rehabilitation Appliances Program, commonly known as RAP.
Depending on assessed clinical need and DVA eligibility, this may include:
Walking aids
Manual or powered mobility equipment
Lift recliners
Adjustable beds
Shower and toileting equipment
Seating and pressure care equipment
Personal response systems
Daily living aids
Continence-related equipment
Equipment is most effective when it is personalised to individual needs and supported by the right education.
Under DVA arrangements, prescribed RAP items are ordered through an appropriate DVA-contracted supplier rather than supplied directly by Health N Able. Eligibility, approval and the available item range are determined under DVA requirements.
Home Modifications
Occupational Therapy assessment and recommendations may be provided for minor or major home modifications intended to support accessibility, function and safety.
Depending on clinical need and DVA approval requirements, recommendations may include:
Rails
Ramps
Step modifications
Bathroom modifications
Access solutions
Non-slip surfaces
Lighting improvements
Other modifications to improve access to and use of the home
DVA may fund eligible home modifications through RAP following clinical assessment. Some recommendations may require prior approval before work can proceed.
Education and Training
Practical education may be provided to veterans, and their carers, including:
Equipment use and safety
Falls prevention strategies
Transfer and manual handling guidance
Energy conservation strategies
Mobility scooter assessment and training
Strategies to support participation in everyday activities
Who May Be Eligible?
DVA-funded Occupational Therapy may be available where treatment is clinically necessary and the person holds:
a Veteran Gold Card, which may cover clinically necessary Occupational Therapy for all conditions; or
a Veteran White Card, where the Occupational Therapy relates to a condition covered by the card.
Eligibility is determined by DVA and should be confirmed before services are provided.
How to Access Occupational Therapy
A valid referral is generally required from your usual General Practitioner.
For an initial treatment cycle, a referral may also be made by a:
Medical specialist
Treating hospital doctor
Hospital discharge planner
Fees and DVA Arrangements
Health N Able accepts eligible Veteran Gold and White Cards for Occupational Therapy services provided under DVA arrangements.
Where a service is covered by DVA, the applicable DVA fee is accepted as full payment and no gap fee is charged to the Veteran Card holder.
Some services, equipment and home modifications may require prior financial authorisation or other approval from DVA.
Eligibility and funding cannot be guaranteed until the referral, Veteran Card entitlements and relevant DVA requirements have been checked.
A Personal Commitment to the Veteran Community
Fiona has proudly worked with members of the veteran community for over 24 years.
She understands that each person’s military experience, health circumstances, home environment and priorities are different. Assessments and recommendations are therefore tailored to the individual rather than based on a one-size-fits-all approach.
The focus is on practical, clinically appropriate recommendations that support veterans to remain engaged in the activities and routines that matter to them.
Contact Health N Able
Veterans, family members, General Practitioners and other health professionals are welcome to contact Health N Able to discuss a referral.
