Home Modifications on the Gold Coast: What You Need to Know
- Michaela Brunner
- Sep 20
- 2 min read
Home should be safe, comfortable, and suited to your needs. If you or a loved one is finding certain rooms difficult or unsafe to use, home modifications can make a huge difference. Here’s how Mindful Beings Occupational Therapy guides you through the process on the Gold Coast.
What counts as a home modification?
Modifications range from minor changes — like grab rails, a hand-held shower, or a threshold ramp — to major works such as step-free entries, bathroom redesigns, widened doorways, or kitchen re-layouts. The right option depends on your goals, the layout of your home, and any equipment you use.
Why involve an Occupational Therapist?
An OT ensures the design serves you, not just the space. We assess how you move, what you find challenging, and how fatigue, pain, or sensory factors affect daily life. Then we match the environment to your needs, so you can live more independently and safely.
The Mindful Beings Occupational Therapy process
Clinic discussion and goal setting. We begin in our Gold Coast clinic to clarify priorities and identify the rooms or tasks causing the most difficulty.
Home assessment (mobile option). Where appropriate, we complete a home visit to measure spaces, observe access, and identify hazards. We look at future needs, too, so changes last.
Recommendations and concept options. You’ll receive clear recommendations — from low-cost tweaks to more substantial redesigns — with pros, cons, and practical considerations.
Working with builders and suppliers. We liaise with licensed trades, building designers, and equipment suppliers to ensure specifications match your needs. For complex changes, we can support quotes and scope.
Funding support If you’re an NDIS participant, we prepare the required documentation to justify modifications, assistive technology, and any trial needs. We communicate with your support coordinator and plan manager so next steps are straightforward.
Common pitfalls to avoid
Choosing fixtures without considering grip strength or reach.
Focusing on aesthetics over function.
Underestimating turning circles for mobility aids.
Forgetting future needs (e.g., progressive conditions).
With a professional clinic-based and mobile assessment available when needed, Mindful Beings Occupational Therapy makes home modifications practical, safe, and genuinely life-enhancing.
Comments