COURSE OVERVIEW:
Welcome to the Supporting NDIS Participants with Assistive Products for Personal Care & Safety course. This program has been developed to provide you with the necessary knowledge, skills, and ethical guidance to assist participants in selecting, using, and maintaining assistive products that enhance personal care and safety. These products play a critical role in promoting autonomy, reducing risk, and supporting the health and dignity of people with disability in daily life.
Assistive products for personal care and safety are essential tools that enable participants to carry out everyday self-care tasks with greater independence. This course begins by introducing the broad purpose and scope of these products, covering items ranging from hygiene aids to mobility devices and environmental alert systems. It outlines the NDIS guidelines that govern the funding of these products, including eligibility requirements and assessment processes. The section also explores the collaborative roles of occupational therapists, support providers, and participants themselves in the identification, selection, and implementation of appropriate assistive technologies.
A structured assessment and prescription process is critical to ensuring that products meet each participant’s unique needs. This section details how to conduct thorough functional assessments, engage participants in goal-setting, and evaluate product suitability based on lifestyle, environment, and care requirements. It also addresses the documentation standards set by the NDIS, ensuring that all prescriptions are evidence-based, clearly justified, and compliant with the funding framework.
For participants with swallowing difficulties or gastrointestinal conditions, modified diets and PEG (Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy) feeding may be necessary. This section explores the use of texture-modified foods and enteral nutrition products, including safe feeding procedures and hygiene protocols. It also highlights the role of dietitians and healthcare teams in maintaining nutritional adequacy and participant safety, and provides support workers with guidelines for implementing feeding routines under supervision.
Maintaining personal hygiene and grooming is essential to health, dignity, and wellbeing. This section introduces a wide range of assistive products such as long-handled sponges, adaptive brushes, and shower chairs that help participants complete personal care tasks safely. It provides guidance on selecting appropriate aids based on individual needs, adapting grooming tools for different dexterity levels, and training both participants and carers in safe, effective use.
Dressing aids and protective garments support participants who experience difficulty with traditional clothing. This section examines adaptive solutions such as Velcro-fastened clothing, open-back garments, and protective wear designed to reduce injury or skin breakdown. It also covers how to customise or source suitable clothing and how to ensure that choices respect the participant’s preferences, comfort, and dignity.
Menstrual care can be a source of stress or discomfort for participants with disability if not supported appropriately. This section explores a range of modified menstrual products, including period underwear, reusable pads with adaptive fasteners, and applicators designed for limited hand function. It also provides guidance on how to educate participants in a respectful, inclusive manner that promotes confidence, privacy, and dignity in menstrual care.
Incontinence management is a highly individualised area that requires sensitive and informed support. This section explains how to assess continence needs, select suitable products such as pads, pants, and mattress protectors, and implement strategies to support bladder and bowel control. It also discusses the importance of educating both participants and carers in correct usage, hygiene, and timely replacement to minimise skin issues and promote comfort.
Mobility and positioning aids are essential in supporting safe transfers, preventing falls, and maintaining comfort. This section details how to evaluate the need for mobility furniture such as transfer boards, hoists, or bed rails, and how to ensure proper installation and usage. It also covers positioning products that help with pressure relief, posture support, and sleep safety, especially for participants with complex physical support needs.
Visual and tactile alerting systems increase environmental awareness and safety for participants with sensory impairments. This section introduces technologies such as vibrating alarms, flashing doorbells, and bed-shaking fire alarms. It explains how to select the most appropriate alerting devices based on participant needs and how to integrate these systems into the home to ensure timely responses to safety cues.
Training and education are essential components of assistive product provision. This section outlines how to design and deliver training programs for participants and their informal supports, including step-by-step demonstrations and personalised instructions. It also emphasises the importance of ongoing education and refreshers as participant needs evolve or equipment is upgraded.
Proper installation and setup are critical to ensuring assistive products function safely and as intended. This section explains how to coordinate product delivery and installation, conduct setup checks, and perform functional testing in the participant’s home. It also addresses post-installation safety assessments and how to instruct participants in the correct use of their new equipment.
Maintenance and repairs are necessary to ensure the reliability and longevity of assistive products. This section provides guidance on establishing maintenance routines, identifying early signs of product wear or malfunction, and coordinating timely repairs. It also explores the roles of suppliers and technical support services in reducing downtime and maintaining continuity of care.
Consumables and spare parts are an ongoing need for many assistive products. This section details how to manage inventories of replacement items such as filters, pads, and tubing, and how to streamline ordering processes to prevent shortages. It also explains how to maintain accurate records of consumables used and ensure all necessary items are readily available for uninterrupted participant support.
Risk assessments are essential when using assistive products in personal care routines. This section explores how to identify hazards associated with particular devices, assess the suitability of the environment, and implement controls to mitigate risk. It also covers safety training for participants and carers and the development of response protocols in case of product failure or misuse.
Documentation is a key element in supporting NDIS funding and ensuring participant safety. This section outlines how to maintain accurate records of assessments, prescriptions, installations, participant progress, and incidents. It also addresses the requirements for reporting to stakeholders, including plan managers and allied health professionals, and aligning documentation with NDIS quality and safeguarding standards.
Cultural and ethical considerations must underpin every aspect of assistive product provision. This section discusses how to respect cultural beliefs and customs in personal care, accommodate language and communication preferences, and deliver services that uphold dignity, privacy, and self-determination. It also highlights the importance of addressing bias, promoting equity, and ensuring participants feel safe and included in all decision-making processes.
By the end of this course, you will be equipped with the tools, insight, and professional standards needed to support NDIS participants in accessing and using assistive products that enhance personal care, safety, and independence. Your ability to provide respectful, knowledgeable, and person-centred support will have a direct impact on participant wellbeing, autonomy, and everyday quality of life.
Each section is complemented with examples to illustrate the concepts and techniques discussed.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
By the end of this course, you will be able to understand the following topics:
1. Introduction to Assistive Products for Personal Care and Safety
- Understanding the scope and purpose of assistive products in personal care
- Overview of NDIS guidelines and funding criteria
- Roles of occupational therapists and providers in assessment and implementation
2. Assessment and Prescription Process
- Conducting comprehensive assessments to identify participant needs
- Collaborating with participants to set goals and select appropriate products
- Documenting assessments and prescriptions in line with NDIS requirements
3. Modified Foods and PEG Feeding
- Understanding dietary modifications for participants with swallowing difficulties
- Implementing percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) feeding protocols
- Ensuring nutritional adequacy and safety in modified diets
4. Personal Hygiene and Grooming Aids
- Selecting products to assist with washing, drying, and caring for the body
- Adapting grooming tools for individual needs
- Training participants and carers in the use of hygiene aids
5. Dressing and Protective Clothing
- Identifying adaptive clothing solutions for ease of dressing
- Utilising protective garments to prevent injury
- Customising clothing to meet specific participant requirements
6. Menstrual Care Products
- Exploring modified or adaptive products for menstrual management
- Educating participants on the use of applicators and period underwear
- Ensuring dignity and comfort in menstrual care
7. Incontinence Management
- Assessing continence needs and selecting appropriate products
- Implementing strategies to manage bladder and bowel incontinence
- Providing education on product use and maintenance
8. Mobility and Positioning Aids
- Evaluating the need for furniture and products to assist with movement
- Installing equipment to aid in positioning and transfers
- Ensuring safety in entry and exit of the home environment
9. Visual and Tactile Alerting Systems
- Understanding the role of alerting systems in personal safety
- Selecting appropriate visual and tactile devices
- Integrating alerting systems into the participant's environment
10. Training and Education
- Developing training programs for participants and carers
- Demonstrating the correct use of assistive products
- Providing ongoing support and education as needs evolve
11. Installation and Setup
- Coordinating the delivery and installation of assistive products
- Ensuring proper setup for optimal functionality
- Conducting safety checks post-installation
12. Maintenance and Repairs
- Establishing maintenance schedules for assistive products
- Identifying common issues and troubleshooting
- Arranging timely repairs to minimise disruption
13. Consumables and Spare Parts Management
- Managing inventory of consumable items specific to assistive products
- Ordering and replacing spare parts as needed
- Ensuring availability of necessary supplies for uninterrupted use
14. Risk Assessment and Safety Considerations
- Conducting risk assessments related to assistive product use
- Implementing measures to mitigate identified risks
- Educating participants and carers on safety protocols
15. Documentation and Reporting
- Maintaining accurate records of assessments, prescriptions, and interventions
- Reporting outcomes and progress to relevant stakeholders
- Ensuring compliance with NDIS documentation standards
16. Ethical and Cultural Considerations
- Respecting cultural preferences in product selection and care
- Ensuring ethical practices in assessment and provision
- Addressing potential biases in service delivery
COURSE DURATION:
The typical duration of this course is approximately 2-3 hours to complete. Your enrolment is Valid for 12 Months. Start anytime and study at your own pace.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
You must have access to a computer or any mobile device with Adobe Acrobat Reader (free PDF Viewer) installed, to complete this course.
COURSE DELIVERY:
Purchase and download course content.
ASSESSMENT:
A simple 10-question true or false quiz with Unlimited Submission Attempts.
CERTIFICATION:
Upon course completion, you will receive a customised digital “Certificate of Completion”.