Noticing your parent holding onto walls as they walk or avoiding stairs altogether can be worrying. These changes often happen gradually, but they can signal that staying independent is becoming harder.
The good news is that the Commonwealth Government’s Support at Home program provides funding for therapies, equipment and home modifications that help older Australians stay safe and mobile in their own homes.
Mobility support is not just about preventing a fall. It is about maintaining the confidence and physical ability to do everyday things like getting dressed, making a cup of tea or visiting friends.
Learn more about the Support at Home program.
Recognising mobility issues (it’s more than just falls)
Mobility decline often starts quietly, long before a serious fall happens. You might notice your parent needs an extra second to stand up, or that they’ve stopped bending down to pick things up.
Early warning signs can include:
- Balance and coordination issues: Dizziness when turning, holding onto furniture to move around the house or an unsteady gait.
- Muscle weakness: Struggling to get up from a low chair, difficulty lifting a kettle or carrying shopping.
- Joint stiffness: Trouble getting in and out of the car, pain when reaching overhead or difficulty putting on shoes due to arthritis or reduced range of motion.
- Neurological changes: Tremors, dragging one foot, shuffling steps or freezing mid-movement (common with Parkinson’s disease or after a stroke).
- Chronic pain: Back, hip or knee pain that worsens with movement, leading to reduced activity.
- Fear and avoidance: Turning down social invitations, staying home more often or seeming anxious about moving around.
- Recognising these signs early means you can seek support before a fall or injury occurs. Early intervention through allied health services can often slow decline and, in some cases, help restore lost function.
How mobility challenges affect independence
Mobility issues often create a cycle that speeds up physical decline. Pain, stiffness or fear of falling can lead to less movement. Reduced activity weakens muscles, stiffens joints and affects balance, increasing the risk of a serious fall.
Chronic pain is a common but often overlooked barrier. Many older Australians assume joint or back pain is just part of ageing and do not seek help. But untreated pain leads to reduced activity, which can weaken the body further.
The home environment can also increase risk. Loose rugs, poor lighting or a lack of grab rails can turn a minor balance issue into a serious hazard. Supporting mobility means addressing both physical ability and the home environment.
This is where funding through the Support at Home program can make a real difference.
Aged Care Decisions can help you find government approved providers who deliver mobility support and allied health services. Request your free Options Report today to see what is available in your areaM
What Support at Home offers for mobility and safety
Support at Home is the Australian Government’s aged care funding program that replaced Home Care Packages on 1 November 2025. Its purpose is to fund services that help older Australians remain safe and independent at home for longer.
Funded services are grouped into three broad categories: clinical care, independence, and everyday living. Mobility support is primarily funded under clinical care and independence services.
Ongoing allied health services
Regular allied health support is the foundation of good mobility care at home. Providers can coordinate physiotherapy, occupational therapy and other services as part of your ongoing Support at Home plan.
Physiotherapy helps maintain and improve strength, balance and mobility through targeted exercises and movement programs. A physio can design a home exercise plan, provide hands-on treatment for pain or stiffness, and work with you to build confidence moving around safely.
Occupational therapy focuses on making daily tasks easier and safer. An OT will assess your home environment, recommend equipment like shower chairs or grab rails, and teach techniques for safe transfers from bed to chair or on and off the toilet.
Other allied health services may include podiatry (foot care affects balance and gait), dietetics (nutrition supports muscle strength) and speech pathology (for swallowing or communication issues after stroke).
These services are available across all 8 Support at Home classifications, with higher classifications receiving more intensive support.
Read Support at Home Classifications 1-8 Explained to understand what each classification includes.
Personal care and mobility assistance
Many older Australians need hands-on help with movement and daily activities. Personal care workers can assist with showering and dressing, safe transfers in and out of bed or chairs, walking support around the home or to appointments and using mobility aids correctly.
Personal care is classified as an independence service, which means contributions are income-tested. If you’re on a full aged pension, you’ll pay just 5% of the cost. Self-funded retirees pay up to 50%.
Read Support at Home Price List for more information.
For people living with neurological conditions or post-stroke mobility changes, this hands-on support can be the difference between remaining safely at home and needing residential care.
Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM)
Support at Home includes a dedicated Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) scheme, which provides separate funding for equipment and home changes that improve mobility and safety.
This funding can be used for:
- Simple aids: Walking frames, shower chairs, non-slip mats, grab rails.
- Complex modifications: Ramps, stairlifts, bathroom renovations, widened doorways for wheelchair access.
- Mobility equipment: Wheelchairs, scooters, hoists for safe transfers.
AT-HM funding is provided upfront once approved, which means equipment can be organised quickly. Occupational therapists assess what’s needed and ensure aids are fitted correctly, because poorly fitted equipment can actually increase fall risk.
Short-term pathways
Support at Home also includes two short-term pathways:
The Restorative Care Pathway provides time-limited funding, generally up to 12–16 weeks, for intensive allied health support after illness, injury or hospitalisation. The focus is on rebuilding strength, balance and function.
An End-of-Life Care Pathway is also available, providing higher levels of funded support for people in their final months.
How allied health prevents falls and maintains independence
Allied health support funded through Support at Home plays a key role in fall prevention.
Targeted exercise programs can significantly reduce fall risk by improving strength and balance. Even gentle resistance exercises help build the leg and core muscles needed for safe movement.
Balance training helps retrain the body for everyday movements such as turning, reaching or walking on uneven surfaces. Gait training can reduce shuffling or compensatory walking patterns that increase fall risk.
Pain management through hands-on therapy, stretching and guided exercise can help break the cycle of pain leading to inactivity and further decline.
Consistency is critical. Regular sessions combined with a simple home exercise program deliver the best outcomes.
Practical steps to improve mobility and reduce fall risk today
You don’t need to wait for a formal assessment to start making changes.
A simple check can help:
- Remove loose rugs and clutter from walkways.
- Improve lighting in hallways, stairs and bathrooms.
- Check footwear is supportive and non-slip.
- Keep frequently used items within easy reach to avoid overreaching or climbing.
Encouraging gentle movement also supports mobility. Short walks, seated exercises or balance activities can help maintain strength and flexibility. Always check with a GP or physiotherapist before starting new exercises.
What to do next
If you’ve noticed mobility changes in your loved one, it may be a good time to reach out for support.
Step 1: Contact My Aged Care to request an assessment.
Step 2: Complete an income assessment with Services Australia or the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Step 3: Choose an approved provider experienced in mobility and falls prevention support.
This final step is often where families feel overwhelmed.
Aged Care Decisions can help. Our free service matches you with providers who have availability in your area and experience delivering the specific mobility support your loved one needs. We do the research, organise meetings and support you through the entire process—at no cost to you.
Support that keeps you moving forward
Mobility challenges do not have to mean leaving home. With the right support, many older Australians can continue living safely and confidently where they feel most comfortable.
Support at Home program practical government funding for mobility support services. Acting early, getting the right assessment and choosing the right provider can make all the difference
Ready to explore your options? Aged Care Decisions offers a 100% free, 100% independent service to match you with available home care providers who can deliver the mobility and falls prevention support your loved one needs. Get your custom Options Report now and take the stress out of the search.
