💡 Key Takeaways
  • AT-HM means Assistive Technology and Home Modifications.
  • Eligibility, item choice and any funding are based on assessed needs and current program rules.
  • AT-HM is distinct from ongoing Support at Home services and has its own pathway.
  • Home modifications require appropriate professional assessment; check current official requirements.

What AT-HM means

AT-HM stands for Assistive Technology and Home Modifications. It is part of the Support at Home program and is intended to help eligible participants access approved equipment and changes that support everyday activities, safety and independence at home.

The scheme is not a catalogue that guarantees an item. Each decision is connected to assessed need, the person’s support plan and current program requirements.

Examples of assistive technology

Assistive technology can include products that make everyday tasks safer or easier, such as mobility aids, shower chairs, toileting equipment or communication aids. The right choice depends on the individual, their home and the activity they want to do safely.

For example, two people with similar mobility concerns may need different solutions. A shower chair may help one person, while another needs a different approach after a professional assessment of the bathroom and their movement.

Examples of home modifications

Home modifications are changes to a home that improve access, safety or independence. Examples can include grab rails, handrails, ramps, lever handles or other approved changes. The position, height and suitability of a modification matter as much as the product itself.

Do not arrange a modification based only on a generic online recommendation. Current government rules and appropriate clinical advice should guide the decision.

How to access AT-HM

  1. Start with an aged care assessment. Discuss the practical difficulty or safety concern.
  2. Read the decision and support plan. Check what has been approved and ask questions if unclear.
  3. Choose a suitable provider. Confirm the provider can coordinate the relevant service.
  4. Arrange assessment or prescription where needed. Requirements differ by item; home modifications have specific professional requirements.
  5. Confirm the current pathway before purchase. The AT-HM List and program rules can be updated.

Funding and transition questions

AT-HM has separate arrangements from ongoing Support at Home services. People who transitioned from the former Home Care Package program may have questions about eligible unspent Commonwealth funds. These details are technical and can change, so use current Government guidance and ask the provider to explain how it applies to the person’s plan.

Avoid presenting standard funding figures as a promise or an absolute entitlement. The relevant question is whether the requested item meets assessed need and current program criteria.

How Heather can help

Heather Senior Care can discuss whether its service offering can coordinate appropriate clinical support, equipment or home-adjustment services for an eligible participant. The team can explain practical next steps, but official eligibility and funding decisions sit with the government assessment and program processes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does AT-HM stand for?
AT-HM stands for Assistive Technology and Home Modifications, a Support at Home pathway for eligible participants with assessed needs.
Is AT-HM separate from Support at Home services?
It has distinct arrangements from ongoing services. Check current Government guidance and the person’s support plan for the details that apply.
Do all AT-HM items need an occupational therapist?
Requirements differ by item. Home modifications have specific professional requirements, so confirm the current rules before proceeding.
Can AT-HM help with grab rails or ramps?
These may be examples of home modifications, but eligibility and suitability depend on assessment, the home and current program requirements.
Can Heather Senior Care organise AT-HM support?
Heather can discuss its relevant services and whether it can coordinate the necessary support for an eligible participant.
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Heather Senior Care
Practical information to help older Australians and families understand care at home.