There are things we do every day without a second thought. Making a cup of tea. Hanging out the washing. Watering the garden. Driving to the shops. Meeting a friend for coffee.
They seem small, until someone quietly stops doing them.
Maybe Mum, who has always loved cooking, now settles for toast. Dad's garden has not been touched in weeks. The weekly shop becomes, "Could you grab a few things for me while you're out?"
This does not always mean something is wrong. Our routines change as we get older, often by choice. But sometimes what a person quietly stops doing tells us more than what they say they are struggling with.
That idea sits at the heart of Occupational Therapy for older adults, and of OT Week 2026 (26 October to 1 November), themed Participation Matters.
It is rarely just about the task
Making a cup of tea sounds simple. But it means getting to the kitchen, lifting the kettle, handling boiling water and carrying a full cup somewhere to sit. Each step needs balance, grip, movement and confidence. If one part becomes difficult, the whole activity can start to feel like more effort than it is worth.
The same happens with getting dressed, preparing meals or shopping. Pain, fatigue, stiffness, reduced confidence after a fall or a home that no longer suits someone's needs can all make familiar activities harder.
So the activity quietly disappears from the day. Not because it stopped mattering, but because doing it became hard.
Small changes mean more than they seem
When someone stops cooking, we notice the meals. What we may not notice is everything that came with them: choosing ingredients, following a familiar recipe, preparing Sunday lunch for the family.
When someone stops gardening, they may also lose time outdoors, gentle movement and something they have enjoyed for years. When someone stops driving to their regular coffee catch-up, it can affect friendships and the freedom to simply decide, "I'm going out today."
Staying involved does not always mean doing everything alone. Mum might no longer manage carrying the shopping bags, but she can still choose what goes in the trolley while someone else carries them in.
Sometimes independence just means finding a different way to keep doing what matters.
Where Occupational Therapy fits in
An occupational therapist looks at three things together: the person, the activity they want to do and the environment they are doing it in.
A kitchen bench that is hard to use, a hallway too narrow for a walker or a step down to the laundry can all make daily life harder than it needs to be.
Two people might struggle with getting dressed for completely different reasons. One finds reaching painful. Another runs out of energy. Someone else has lost confidence after a fall.
Each needs a different approach, whether that means adapting the task, making a home adjustment such as grab rails or a shower stool, or finding a better way to manage movement, balance or fatigue.
For health professionals and aged care coordinators, this is where an Occupational Therapy referral can be helpful.
Star Therapy provides mobile Occupational Therapy to older adults across Perth, including those receiving services through Support at Home (formerly Home Care Packages).
Visiting clients at home means the assessment takes place in their own surroundings, whether that is their kitchen, hallway or front step. It allows the occupational therapist to see the everyday challenges a person may be experiencing.
The goal is never to make someone's life look a particular way. It is to help them keep participating in it.
Pay attention to what is quietly disappearing
Not every change in routine is a concern. People develop new interests and find different ways to enjoy life.
But if you have noticed someone stepping back from an activity they once enjoyed, a gentle conversation can be a good place to start.
Instead of asking, "Why don't you garden anymore?", try:
"I've noticed you haven't been out in the garden much lately. Is there something making it harder?"
It gives someone room to share what they are experiencing without feeling questioned or judged.
Finding the right support
If an everyday activity has become difficult, an Occupational Therapy assessment can help identify what has changed and explore practical ways to make it more manageable.
Older adults in Perth who already receive aged care support can ask their provider about accessing Occupational Therapy through Support at Home (formerly Home Care Packages).
Those unsure where to begin can contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 to discuss their options.
Private Occupational Therapy is also available through Star Therapy, and private clients do not need a referral.
For GPs, aged care providers and allied health professionals, referrals can be made through Star Therapy's Refer Now page or by calling 0422 140 000.
The things that make everyday life feel like your own
Sometimes the smallest changes in someone's routine tell us the most. Taking the time to understand what has become difficult can help them stay involved in the things they value.
If you've noticed changes in someone you care about and would like to explore whether Occupational Therapy could help, Star Therapy is here to listen.