Allied health services

At Eldercare, our allied health staff work as part of a multidisciplinary team to help you maintain optimum health and mobility and support your overall wellbeing.

Depending on your individual needs, our allied health professionals can assist you with:

• preventative measures to promote healthy ageing and reduce the impact of chronic conditions, and
• rehabilitative treatments to help you regain function after injury, illness or hospitalisation.

Drawing on in-house staff and visiting professionals, Eldercare’s allied health service includes:

Audiologists who provide services for hearing impairment and fit hearing devices.

Dentists: Eldercare sites have a visiting mobile dental clinic offering a wide range of preventative and remedial dental services.

Occupational therapists and physiotherapists: our team of occupational therapists and physiotherapists will assess your mobility needs and support you to optimise your function through mobility equipment, exercise programs and pain treatments. This team also facilitates our Rise and Shine programs.

Optometrists: Eldercare sites arrange periodic visits from an optometrist who will assess your eye health, and can help you with new glasses.

Speech pathologists who can assist if you are experiencing communication or swallowing difficulties.

Dietitians who help to plan our menus and advise on good nutritional practice and may meet with you to personally discuss your dietary needs.

Podiatrists who can assist if you are experiencing foot pain or problems, or if you would like some advice regarding footwear.

Allied health staff work closely with your clinical leader and the lifestyle team to ensure that you receive the right combination of support to live your best life.

Eldercare offers two tailored therapy programs: one to help you to recover from a temporary setback, and another to maintain your current levels of ability.

Rise is a one-on-one reablement program where an occupational therapist or physiotherapist will work with you for up to six weeks on achieving specific goals. Rise is commonly used after injury, illness or hospitalisation to help you get back on your feet. Most of the sessions will take place in your room and will involve practicing the skills you want to achieve. As your confidence and mobility improves, we will adjust our levels of support to help you regain your independence.

Shine is a group-based program with a focus on maintaining your current abilities. Groups run twice a week, and may include:

• strength and balance
• hand therapy
• seated exercise
• mind-body techniques

Mind-body techniques may include mindfulness practices and conversations to stimulate positive emotions. These techniques are proven to assist with pain management and wellbeing. Many of the Shine classes will take place in our on-site gym. You will also be offered exercises to complete in your own time.

As part of Eldercare’s Rise and Shine programs, you can work with our occupational therapists and physiotherapists to:

• improve your confidence
• increase your independence
• maintain your strength
• assist with pain management
• get to know others.

Our team of occupational therapists and physiotherapists will meet with you upon your admission to create a plan that suits your needs, preferences, and goals.

We will recommend the equipment that you require to safely complete your preferred routines and tasks (e.g. walker). If you would benefit from participating in our Rise and Shine programs, we will speak with you about your goals and provide you with an individualised treatment program. We will also meet with you regularly to review your performance.