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Caregiver AdviceUpdated June 2026 · 6 min read
An occupational therapy (OT) assessment is the single most important step a caregiver can take for an elderly loved one — and one of the most overlooked. It unlocks AIC SMF and HDB EASE 2.0 subsidies, identifies specific fall risks in your home, and ensures you buy the right products for your loved one's exact situation.
What an OT assessment does for you
✅ Issues the written recommendation needed for AIC SMF and HDB EASE 2.0
✅ Identifies specific fall hazards in your home
✅ Recommends the exact grab bar placement, walker type, and other aids
✅ Prevents costly mistakes — buying the wrong product for your loved one's condition
What to prepare
Gather your loved one's medical history, current medication list, and any existing mobility aids. Note down the specific activities they struggle with (e.g., getting off the toilet, stepping into the shower, night trips to the bathroom). The more specific you are, the more targeted the recommendations.
The OT walks through the home
The occupational therapist will walk through each room, paying special attention to bathrooms, bedrooms, and corridor. They observe how your loved one moves — sitting, standing, walking, stepping over thresholds. They identify hazards you may not have noticed: loose mats, high thresholds, poor lighting, furniture blocking pathways.
Activities of daily living assessment
The OT may ask your loved one to perform specific movements: standing from a chair, stepping into the shower, using the toilet. They assess strength, balance, coordination, and cognitive ability. This is not a test to pass — it is to find the right level of support.
Written recommendations issued
At the end of the visit, the OT provides a written report recommending specific home modifications (grab bars, shower chair, ramp) and mobility aids (walker, wheelchair, raised toilet seat). This report is what you need to apply for AIC SMF and HDB EASE 2.0 subsidies.
Review and next steps
The OT may recommend a follow-up visit after modifications are made. Some elderly residents require a period of adjustment to use new aids correctly — the OT can provide training sessions if needed.
| Provider | Type | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Polyclinics (NHGP, SingHealth, NHG) | Clinic-based | Subsidised for eligible seniors; Pioneer/Merdeka Generation get additional discounts |
| Restructured hospitals (SGH, NUH, TTSH) | Clinic or home visit | Subsidised rates available; referral from GP may be needed |
| AIC-appointed community providers | Home visit | AIC-subsidised for eligible seniors; call AIC at 1800-650-6060 to arrange |
| Private OT clinics | Clinic or home visit | S$80–S$200 per session; no subsidy available |
Request a home visit if possible
A clinic-based OT assessment tells you what your loved one can do in a neutral space. A home visit tells you what hazards exist in their actual living environment. For fall prevention, a home visit gives far more actionable recommendations.
The OT's written recommendation is the key document for two major subsidy programmes:
AIC Seniors' Mobility & Enabling Fund (SMF)
The OT recommendation letter is required before you can apply. It specifies which devices the senior needs — grab bars, walker, wheelchair, fall detection device. SMF will only cover the devices listed in the recommendation. Up to 90% subsidy on purchase cost.
Full SMF guide →HDB Enhancement for Active Seniors (EASE 2.0)
For EASE 2.0, a professional assessment is conducted by HDB's appointed contractor (not a separate OT). However, having an OT recommendation speeds up the process and ensures the modifications are tailored to your loved one's specific needs.
Full EASE 2.0 guide →This is the most important advice in this guide. Many caregivers buy grab bars, walkers, or shower chairs based on guesswork — then find the wrong height, wrong type, or wrong placement. An OT assessment costs under S$50 at a polyclinic for eligible seniors, and it saves you from buying the wrong products, missing subsidy windows, and installing things incorrectly.
After the assessment, use HomeWise to compare prices across Shopee, Lazada, and local suppliers for the exact products the OT recommended — with subsidy eligibility shown.
Tell HomeWise what your OT recommended — we'll find the best prices across local suppliers and show you which subsidies apply, so you pay as little as possible.
Get My Recommendations →