At Action Home Rehab our physiotherapists offer high-quality home physiotherapy treatment, preventive health and rehabilitation programs to ageing clients in their own homes. Our team of mobile physiotherapists can visit clients who are living alone at home, with their family, in a retirement village or a residential aged care facility. As clients age and face challenges of immobility, deteriorating health and isolation, having access to our services will help maximise their quality of life and independence.
There is currently an increasing number of ageing Australians with declining physical and mental health. Physiotherapy is essential to help avoid or delay deterioration in health. This is particularly relevant for frail older people with declining mobility and independence. Physiotherapy can prevent life-threatening falls and the onset of other serious health conditions.
Physiotherapy at home supports our ageing loved ones. It helps them keep a level of independence in their daily living and stay living in their own home.
Our treatment and rehabilitation programs are tailored to each client’s individual needs. They often complement services delivered by a multidisciplinary team of allied health professionals.
Our physiotherapists have been working with aged care clients for many years and have the required skills to work with an increasingly aged population. We understand the physical and psychological issues relating to ageing and how this impacts each client individually. Having a clear understanding of the effect on family and carers helps them cope with an ageing or sick relative.
How has COVID-19 affected physiotherapy for ageing clients in aged care facilities?
We have been bridging the gap of one-on-one physiotherapy services for clients in aged care facilities for many years. During COVID-19 lockdown and restrictions this year, physiotherapist were identified as essential workers. As such we were able to visit clients in Aged Care Facilities when families couldn’t. Keeping clients active and mobile was our priority as well as reducing the effects of isolation and loneliness. Seeing a smile on their faces was our reward. We were able to communicate their progress and general wellbeing to their families during this very difficult time.
Physiotherapy is offering older Australians hope for their future
The recent Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety recognises the important role of physiotherapy in providing care.
The Counsel Assisting’s final recommendations include:
- residential care providers to engage allied health practitioners that includes physiotherapists, occupational therapists, exercise physiologists, podiatrists, pharmacists, speech pathologists, oral health practitioners, mental health practitioners, dietician, music or art therapist
- provide funding to approved providers for the engagement of allied health practitioners through a blended funding model including a capped base payment per resident designed to cover about half the cost of establishing ongoing engagement of AHP and an activity-based payment to cover each item of direct care provided
- ensure strict monitoring of the level of allied health services actually delivered.
As we await the outcomes of these recommendations, you can count on us to support your loved ones in Aged Care Facilities.
Read more:
Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety
Counsel Assisting’s final recommendations – proposed recommendations