Does home care offer specialised dementia therapies (e.g., sensory rooms, music therapy)?
Support at Home can fund specialised dementia therapies such as music therapy, occupational therapy, art therapy and diversional therapy when they address an assessed need and are approved in the support plan. A complete sensory room is not automatically funded, but clinically recommended sensory strategies, equipment or environmental changes may sometimes be considered.
Key points
- Ask for details in writing and compare more than one option where possible.
- Make sure the service can safely meet the person's current and likely future needs.
- Individual eligibility, availability and outcomes can vary.
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01Guide sectionDoes home care offer specialised dementia therapies, such as sensory activities or music therapy?
Yes. Support at Home can fund some specialised dementia therapies and tailored activities where they address an assessed need and are included in the person’s approved support plan.
Possible supports may include:
music therapy
art therapy
occupational therapy
counselling or psychotherapy
diversional therapy
cognitive and memory strategies
sensory-based activities
tailored exercise or movement programs
environmental assessment and modification
dementia-specific social engagement.
The official Support at Home service list includes music therapists under clinical allied health and therapeutic services. It also includes art therapists and diversional therapists under therapeutic services for independent living.
02Guide sectionWhat is music therapy?
Music therapy is more than playing favourite songs during a support visit.
A formal music therapy program is designed and delivered by a qualified music therapist to achieve specific therapeutic goals.
For a person living with dementia, it may be used to support:
communication and engagement
mood and emotional expression
reduced anxiety or distress
memory and reminiscence
movement and physical activity
social connection
settling during personal care or evening routines.
Music can also be used informally by family members and support workers. Familiar songs, singing and movement may help create connection or comfort, but this should not automatically be described or charged as professional music therapy. Dementia Australia identifies music and dance therapy among non-drug approaches that may assist some people living with dementia.
03Guide sectionCan Support at Home fund music therapy?
Potentially, yes.
Music therapy may be funded where:
it is connected to an assessed age-related or dementia-related need
it supports the person’s safety, function, cognition or wellbeing
it appears on the person’s approved service list
it is included in the care plan and individualised budget
it is provided by an appropriately qualified or accredited professional
sufficient funding is available.
Music therapy appears under the clinical allied health and therapeutic service category in the Support at Home service list. Clinical supports are fully government funded, meaning the participant pays no contribution when the service is approved and delivered within the available budget.
“No contribution” does not mean unlimited therapy. The full agreed price is still paid from the person’s available Support at Home funding.
04Guide sectionWhat are sensory-based therapies?
Sensory approaches use sound, touch, movement, light, scent or familiar objects to support comfort, engagement or emotional regulation.
They might include:
handling familiar fabrics or household objects
tactile activity boards
familiar music and recorded voices
calming lighting
gentle movement
hand massage
gardening and nature-based activities
personalised memory boxes
safe aromatherapy where clinically appropriate
structured multi-sensory sessions.
Dementia Australia lists multi-sensory therapy, music and dance therapy, animal-assisted therapy and light massage among non-pharmacological approaches that may be considered for dementia.
These approaches should be personalised. A stimulus that calms one person may confuse, irritate or distress another.
05Guide sectionCan Support at Home pay for a sensory room?
Usually not as a generic room installation simply because someone has dementia.
A traditional sensory room may involve specialised lighting, sound systems, wall panels, projectors, furniture and other equipment. Support at Home is not a general renovation or lifestyle-purchase fund.
However, parts of a sensory or environmental approach may be considered where an occupational therapist or another qualified professional identifies a specific functional or safety need.
For example, an approved plan might involve:
improved lighting to reduce shadows and confusion
visual signs or environmental cues
safer furniture placement
equipment supporting calming or meaningful activity
an occupational therapy-designed sensory routine
minor home modifications addressing an assessed need.
Any equipment or home modification would need to comply with the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications rules, be clinically justified where required and be approved before purchase.
A provider should not promise to build a “sensory room” from the ordinary quarterly care budget without first confirming that each item is permitted and approved.
06Guide sectionWhat role can occupational therapy play?
An occupational therapist can assess how dementia affects the person’s daily activities and home environment.
They may recommend:
changes to lighting and noise
clearer signs and visual prompts
memory aids
simplified room layouts
meaningful activity routines
safer kitchen or bathroom arrangements
strategies for dressing, meals or personal care
equipment that supports independence
sensory approaches suited to the individual.
Support at Home allied health services can address physical, sensory, cognitive, psychological and social needs and must align with the person’s assessed support plan.
07Guide sectionWhat is diversional therapy?
Diversional therapy uses individually chosen activities to support wellbeing, identity, engagement and social connection.
For someone living with dementia, this might involve:
gardening
cooking-related activities
music and singing
art and craft
reminiscence
familiar household tasks
culturally meaningful activities
movement or gentle exercise
community participation.
The Support at Home service list allows a qualified diversional therapist to design or facilitate tailored recreation programs that support social, psychological and physical wellbeing.
This is different from paying for entertainment tickets, hobby supplies or memberships. Ordinary participation costs are generally not funded merely because an activity is enjoyable.
08Guide sectionCan an ordinary support worker deliver the program?
Sometimes, under appropriate professional supervision.
A qualified therapist may design a treatment or activity program and then train an allied health assistant or support worker to help implement it where this is safe and appropriate. The professional should remain responsible for supervision, review and adjustment of the program.
For example, a music therapist might:
assess the person’s history, preferences and responses
develop a personalised music program
show family members and workers how to use it
review whether it is reducing distress or improving engagement.
The provider should not charge the professional therapy rate every time an ordinary support worker plays a playlist.
09Guide sectionDo all providers offer these services?
No.
Support at Home providers choose which approved services they offer. They are not required to employ every type of therapist. A provider may use a qualified third-party therapist, but the registered provider remains responsible for ensuring that the service is compliant, safe and suitable.
When comparing providers, ask:
Do you offer music, art or diversional therapy?
Is the therapist directly employed or subcontracted?
What qualifications or accreditation do they hold?
Is the service available in my area?
Does it appear on my approved service list?
Is it treated as a clinical or independence service?
What is the full price?
Will a participant contribution apply?
Can the therapist train regular workers or family members?
How will outcomes be measured and reviewed?
Can you arrange an occupational therapy environmental assessment?
What happens if the person becomes distressed during sensory activities?
10Guide sectionWarning signs
Be cautious if a provider:
calls ordinary music listening “music therapy”
cannot identify the therapist’s qualifications
offers a generic dementia activity package without assessing the person
promises expensive sensory equipment before checking eligibility
uses stimulation without monitoring whether it increases distress
cannot explain the therapeutic goal
charges professional rates for activities delivered only by an unqualified support worker
treats therapy as entertainment rather than part of an individual care plan.
11Guide sectionPractical example
A person living with dementia becomes anxious during late-afternoon personal care and has largely stopped communicating with workers.
An approved plan might include:
assessment by a qualified music therapist
creation of a playlist based on personally meaningful music
training for the regular support workers
use of the music before and during personal care
review of whether distress and resistance decrease.
The therapist’s assessment and treatment may be funded as a clinical support. Regular workers may then use the agreed strategy as part of the person’s ordinary care.
12Guide sectionWhat should I do next?
Confirm the details with My Aged Care or the relevant provider, write down your questions and ask for important information in writing before making a decision.
13Guide sectionHelpful Local Home Help resources
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