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Resources & Research

We conduct research and embrace a co-design methodology to develop industry-leading resources that encourage informed decision-making.

LiveUp Better Practice Guide for Culturally Safe information about assistive products

iLA is committed to empowering older people across Australia with greater self-advocacy and self-determination in health and ageing by providing information in the way they want to receive it. 
 
The LiveUp Better Practice Guide for Culturally Safe information about assistive products is the result of 2022/2023 engagement with older First Nations people and community-controlled service provider staff. 
 
The Guide responds to a significant unmet need in the sector and identifies a set of guiding principles and better practice indicators, to improve the way in which iLA and the wider mainstream sector designs and delivers information about low-risk and under-advice assistive products to older First Nations people.
 
iLA is dedicated to continuing to inform development and investment in culturally sensitive information and service delivery for the years ahead. Please contact: general@ilaustralia.org.au for any permissions, questions, or ideas for collaboration.

 


 

First Nations - Community Listening Report

First Nations perspectives on Assistive Technology (AT) and Home Modifications (HM) service provision: A Community Listening Report

This Community Listening Report aims to help policymakers and industry practitioners create culturally safe Assistive Technology (AT) and Home Modifications (HM) services for First Nations people, and all Australians.

It focuses on research into First Nations experiences with accessing assistive products under the Australian Aged Care Act 1997, identifying actions to address logistical, cultural, and systemic barriers in loan schemes, subsidised products, assessments, and wrap-around assistive services.

While the Australian Aged Care Act 2024 shows promise in tackling some barriers, this report emphasises the importance of prioritising First Nations voices in AT policy and practice, and building on their community strengths to overcome challenges. 

 

MCFS guide cover

Making Choices, Finding Solutions Guide

Your guide to assistive equipment and home modification options for safety, independence, and wellbeing.

iLA created the Making Choices, Finding Solutions Guide in partnership with the WA Home and Community Care Program.

This guide has been developed to assist you in finding simple assistive equipment, technology, and basic home modification solutions available in local stores and online.

It contains a range of useful tips and advice to help you better manage everyday tasks and common frustrations.

Read the Making Choices, Finding Solutions Guide

Reablement in Long-Term Care for Older People

Hilary O'Connell is the Principal Advisor for Healthy Ageing at iLA. She is one of the driving forces behind the development of Keep Able and LiveUp and is excited to be co-author of Reablement in Long-term care for Older People.

Her 40-year career as an occupational therapist has encompassed work as a clinician, manager and project leader across the disability and aged care sectors, working within several clinical and community settings where her community care knowledge has enabled Hilary to pioneer the implementation of a number of major reform projects. Her passion throughout is with reablement and wellness focused service models in community care.  

Hilary has presented extensively on wellness and reablement and has co-authored peer reviewed papers on the ‘Home Independence Program’ with Professor Gill Lewin and on ‘Falls Prevention in Community Care’ with Dr Elissa Burton. She is very proud to be a co-author on the newly released book ‘Reablement in Long Term Care for Older People’.  

 

 

 

 

    Hilarys co-authored book on ageing well

    Hilary O'Connell co-author

     

    Sector Support & Development Research:

    WA HACC Home Modifications and Assistive Technology Project 2013 - 2018

    In July 2013, the Independent Living Centre WA (now called Indigo) commenced a new project funded by the WA Home and Community Care (HACC) program in home modifications and assistive technology. The project aimed to further develop a sustainable service model that would enable HACC Program clients to access and receive home modifications and assistive technology (devices and equipment) that support independence and wellbeing through the WA Assessment Framework.

    The project stemmed from the 'Commonwealth reform agenda Living Longer Living Better report' which identified home modifications as an area of development and reform that will support and facilitate independent living at home for older people.

    With recognition that home modifications and assistive technology can support clients to maintain their independence and wellbeing, HACC committed to this project to explore what would support growth in this area.

    Read the project reports below:

     

    Scoping Review on Best Practice for Home Modifications in Service Delivery

    To support the development of a sustainable service delivery model that guides the provision of home modifications and equipment for WA Home and Community Care (HACC) clients, a Scoping Review was conducted by the Independent Living Centre WA (now called Indigo)  in partnership with the Curtin University School of Occupational Therapy and Social Work to explore the key factors that influence best practice in home modification service delivery.

    Read the 'Full Report of Findings', and the 'At a Glance' document below:

     

    Falls Prevention Research

    Female Indigo OT kneeling to adjust toilet frame in bathroom display

    SSD Partnerships

    Reablement

    Falls Prevention

    • Dr Elissa Burton, Curtin University School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science

    Assistive Technology and Home Modifications

    • Dr Natasha Layton Deakin University, Melbourne
    • Dr Courtenay Harris, Curtin University, School of Occupational Therapy and Social Work 

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