Empower Healthcare is pleased to welcome Dietitian Maddie to our team!
Since graduating with a Masters of Dietetics, Maddie has worked with a broad range of clients across all life stages. Alongside experience in chronic disease management, Maddie has a passion for helping people develop healthy relationships with food. She brings varied and evidence-based expertise to her therapy sessions.
Of her person-centred approach to Dietetics, Maddie says:
I enjoy getting an insight into the role food plays in my clients’ lives and using this to assist them to reach their food and nutrition goals. I enjoy developing meaningful relationships with my clients and I have found this to be a crucial step in implementing successful nutrition interventions and therefore reaching my client’s desired nutrition outcomes.
When not working, Maddie is an avid cook who loves preparing delicious and nutritious meals for friends and family in her free time. She balances this with an active lifestyle, playing basketball and netball.
Maddie joining Empower is sure to be a recipe for success!
Humans swallow at least 500 times a day. Like breathing, swallowing is a reflex that we don’t think about unless there is a problem with the process, this difficulty swallowing is known as dysphagia.
When challenges with swallowing do arise, they can cause distress and pose a significant risk to the health of the person who suddenly must consider every mouthful of food, sip of water or reflexive swallow.
What causes swallowing difficulties?
The most common causes of swallowing difficulties in adults arise from neurological conditions like stroke and Parkinson’s Disease. In children, developmental and congenital problems can affect swallowing and interfere with feeding and growth.
What are the warning signs for dysphagia?
Most of us will experience an episode of choking occasionally, luckily this is usually self-managed with a good amount of strong coughing and occasionally some help by those around us.
The real cause for concern is when these episodes occur frequently and do not resolve.
Other signs that swallowing is a problem are:
• an inability to swallow certain foods or liquids
• bringing food back up, sometimes through the nose
• a sensation that food is stuck in your throat or chest
• persistent drooling of saliva
• being unable to chew food properly
• a gurgly, wet-sounding voice when eating or drinking
Over time, dysphagia can also cause symptoms such as weight loss and repeated chest infections.
How do Speech Pathologists help people with swallowing difficulties?
Empower Speech Pathologists offer comprehensive swallowing services for people who are struggling with dysphagia and can help clients and their caregivers manage eating and drinking with less stress and more enjoyment by providing practical guidelines, recommendations, and therapy.
Empower’s Swallowing services include
• Full Swallowing assessments.
• Advice on posture and positioning for meals.
• Texture modification recommendations.
• Saliva Management
• Oral Motor Therapy.
• Compensatory strategies for safe swallowing.
• Mealtime Management Planning.
• Telehealth services and support.
• Education and training for clients, parents, carers, families, and support workers.
Our services can be accessed through a range of funding options and tailored to meet the needs of clients, participants and their caregivers.
Simply click on the image below for our referral form.
Winter has arrived for much of Australia, bringing lower temperatures and increased rates of seasonal colds and flu alongside the ongoing COVID pandemic.
One of the most powerful tools we have in maintaining good immune function and health during the winter months is our diet.
While there is no single food that ensures good immune function, eating to support a healthy immune system does not need to be complicated. Making sure your diet is varied and consist mainly of unprocessed foods will get you most of the way there.
For the rest, there are a few key micronutrients the have been identified as critical for the growth and function of immune cells, including:
Iron
Iron is a component of the enzymes needed for immune cell function.
Sources include red meat, beans, nuts and fortified breakfast cereals.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A helps protect against infections by keeping skin and the lining of the mouth, stomach, intestines, and respiratory system healthy.
Sources include orange and red fruits, and vegetables like carrots, apricots, and bell peppers.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is vital for the formation of antibodies and white blood cells.
Sources include citrus fruits like oranges, grapefruit, strawberries, and tomatoes.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D helps regulate antimicrobial proteins that can directly kill pathogens.
Sources include sunlight, fatty fish (like salmon), egg yolks, and fortified dairy.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is an antioxidant that protects cell membranes from damage.
Sources include seeds, nuts, vegetables oils and peanut butter.
Zinc
Zinc is needed for wound healing and supports immune response.
Sources include meats, whole grains, milk, seeds, and nuts.
Selenium
Selenium is an essential trace mineral important for fighting infection and immune function.
Sources include seafood, Brazil nuts, red meat, and poultry.
The best place to get your nutrients is through foods but if you struggle getting everything you need through diet alone Dietitians can help with menu planning, food choice and supplementation if needed.
Finally, remember that diet is important but there are other things we can do to help our bodies fight infections and stay healthy. Getting enough sleep, reducing stress, and staying active all contribute to maintaining and improving resilience to infection and well-being during the colder months and throughout the year.
Foot problems are a leading cause of falls. Research shows that good podiatric care can significantly reduce the rate of falls for people living at home.
Falls are a major cause of injury with 43% of hospitalisation caused by falls and over half of all fall injuries involve a fracture. Reduced sensation, circulation and strength in the feet and lower legs can increase the risk of falling for people who may otherwise be living independent and comfortable lives on their own terms.
If these problems are accompanied by pain, everyday tasks and movement may become unmanageable, negatively affecting quality of life. Common foot conditions that can contribute to a fall include arthritis, heel pain, weakness, toe deformity, and decreased range of motion in the joints of the foot.
Podiatrist can help by
• Assessing the feet and legs of people who have a history of foot problems or falls.
• Conducting specific neurovascular foot assessments.
• Providing advice and recommendations for appropriate and well-fitting shoes.
• Implementing effective pain management strategies.
• Prescribing foot and ankle strengthening exercises.
• Providing complete toenail care.
• Introducing aids and tools to promote independence in safely tying shoelaces and putting on socks and hosiery.
• Providing comprehensive diabetic foot care.
Our Podiatrist also work with people on foot self-care where possible for the management of common foot conditions. By treating the causes of falling, Empower Podiatrist can help keep people on their feet.
We are pleased to welcome Heather to our NSW Occupational Therapy Team
Heather is a confident and meticulous Occupational Therapist who enjoys finding person-centered solutions that empower clients to live their most independent, active and fulfilling lives.
Having worked in NDIS home-based settings as well as in work place environments, Heather has a holistic view of rehabilitation, inclusion and access issues faced by people at home, in communities and at work.
With experience in Functional Capacity, Sensory and Housing assessments, Heather also brings established therapy skills in capacity building, rehabilitation, assistive technology prescription and home modifications for clients in a variety of settings including school, homes and clinics in Sydney.
She says:
I am excited by the diverse nature of Occupational Therapy. I enjoy meeting new people, hearing their stories and helping them find meaningful activity and purpose to improve their quality of life and achieve their personal goals.
When not at work, Heather loves spending her time with friends and family exploring new places, eating great food and indulging in her best relaxation activity – watching Ru Paul’s Drag Race!
How To Get Clients Started With Our Home Care & NDIS Services
Simply click on the image below for our referral form.
It is possible to live an independent and active life with a catheter and Empower’s nurses are ready to help clients and their families.
Our nurses are trained to deliver best practice catheter care with dignity to help people maintain the life they are accustomed to.
Our skilled nurses are fully trained to deliver care for all three types of catheters:
• Male
• Female
• Suprapubic
For people who rely on catheters, having a routine to care for the catheter is an important part of living a full life without the common complications that a catheter use can cause. Empower nurses deliver person centred, individualised catheter care to every client beginning with a comprehensive assessment at home.
Our nurses assess the level of support, education and care needed and work with clients and their families to set goals and develop management plans to suit their individual needs.
Good catheter care starts with good nursing care.
Our catheter care routines help users:
Reduce Urinary Tract Infections
By regularly emptying bags and performing hygiene activities like good hand washing, people who use catheters can reduce the likelihood of infection. Developing habits of adequate water consumption can also help to reduce bacterial infection risk and keep the system functioning optimally.
Eliminate Leakage
Regular emptying of bags is necessary to reduce the chance of overflow leakage. Having established fluid consumption routines can also help with the management of urine output.
Avoid Kidney damage
Reducing the load on the kidneys by allowing complete bladder voiding protects kidney function.
Live a full life
A well-established routine can allow people who rely on catheterisation to lead full and active lifestyles with the freedom to work, travel, exercise and socialise knowing that their bodies are well cared for.
Having a plan and support is vital for developing routines when taking care of a catheter system. Our experienced nurses help people to ensure the best care for their catheters while meeting their lifestyle needs and goals. After all, catheterisation should allow people to focus on the things in life that really matter and enable them to live life their own way.
Half a million Australians are living with dementia today, this number is set to double over the coming years.
Our Empower therapists have the privilege of meeting and working with many clients and their families who are facing the challenges that dementia can bring. That is why we were so happy to learn of a new approach to training healthcare workers in the best strategies for communicating with people living with dementia.
Talk with Ted
Talk with Ted is a program developed by Dementia Australia’s Centre for Dementia Learning and Deakin University’s Applied Artificial Intelligence Institute in collaboration with healthcare workers.The program is based on real life experiences of people living with dementia and Ted is an artificially intelligent avatar who is facing many of the common struggles that people with dementia manage daily.
The immersive learning experience teaches a person-centred approach to communicating with the individual and gives our newly graduated clinicians the opportunity to practice and improve their skills. This is just one of the ways we are striving for excellence and constantly looking for ways to help our clinicians deliver high quality healthcare with the best possible outcomes for our clients, their families, and communities.
Our clinicians feedback:
I liked the avatar. Especially when aiming to use the right language – Tony
Gaining empathy and understanding of what it feels like for the residents with dementia – Kristea
Understanding the Human Rights of patients when requesting an action from them – Michelle
The importance of a good introduction – gaining rapport & finding out the person’s interests – Alissa
About Empower Healthcare
We Change Lives
Changing lives is what we do.
Delivering high quality allied health services is how we do it.
Empower Healthcare was founded in 2016 by two people who were determined to improve the standards of allied health services in residential aged care and knew how to do it. With industry knowledge and an innovative approach, Adam and Matthew set about defining what allied health services can be when quality and person-centred care is placed before all else in healthcare.
The partnership, that merged clinical expertise with business acumen, soon established Empower Healthcare as a leading provider of quality physiotherapy services in residential aged care facilities in Victoria. This success fuelled the expansion of our services within residential aged care, home care and NDIS to deliver occupational therapy, physiotherapy, nursing, podiatry, dietetics, osteopathy, massage and speech pathology.
Now offering comprehensive allied health services with more than 180 dedicated and passionate clinicians working in Victoria, Western Australia, New South Wales and Queensland, Empower Healthcare is growing and taking our unique approach with us.
How To Get Clients Started With Our Home Care & NDIS Services
Simply click on the image below for our referral form.
We can help you take the guesswork and uncertainty out of whether your client would benefit from the success of physiotherapy, an exercise program or assistive equipment to improve their mobility when movement is challenging.
Our multidisciplinary team understand that mobility inside the home, within the community and beyond is a requirement for independence and a cornerstone of quality of life at all ages.
To assess mobility, our team may:
Perform a thorough subjective assessment to ascertain what aspects of movement a client is finding challenging and what effect that has on their lives.
Analyse gait on a variety of surfaces.
Evaluate a person’s ability to move in bed, sit and stand up.
Assess stair or step climbing, if appropriate.
Determine the need for mobility aids.
Assess strength, endurance, and balance to understand the causes of loss of mobility.
Once a thorough assessment has been performed, we will work with clients to create goals of treatment and individualised interventions that can help them to reach those objectives.
Here’s five signs that a person may need a mobility assessment:
Reduced ability to manage activities of daily living due to problems with walking, standing up or stair climbing.
Loss of confidence in leaving the house.
Family members or caregivers reporting an increased need to assist with standing-up and walking.
A history of falling or fear of falling.
Anyone returning home after a period of prolonged hospitalisation due to injury or illness who is experiencing a reduction in function.
With our multidisciplinary and holistic wellbeing approach, Empower’s assessment reports provide clarity and direction to equip you with the knowledge to determine the best care plan going forward.
We pride ourselves in the delivery of innovative, high-quality, allied health solutions that constantly evolve to exceed the needs of your clients and their communities. Our service model integrates five service commitments that empower you to help your clients improve their sense of self-identity, quality of life, and ability to live safely in their environment.
Extensive service offerings
Care provided by highly skilled clinicians
A team approach to delivering continuity of care
User friendly referral process
Superior reports providing clarity on future care needs.
Click on your relevant health care industry sector below to learn more.
How To Get Clients Started With Our Home Care & NDIS Services
Simply click on the image below for our referral form.
Empower Healthcare is pleased to welcome two new physiotherapist to the team
Whether help is needed to address short term problems or on an ongoing basis, our friendly and knowledgeable team of physios are ready to help. Bringing everything needed to your door, our therapists will tailor interventions to your goals and we are pleased to welcome two new therapists to the team – Kevin in Queensland and Leroy in Geelong Victoria.
Kevin Physiotherapist Queensland
Kevin is a passionate physiotherapist who brings his positive energy and experience in musculoskeletal physiotherapy to the expanding team. Having worked in private practice and clinical education, Kevin is excited to work in Community Care, as he says:
“Community care places a larger emphasis on the clients themselves rather than the physio”
“When I walk into a client’s home, I can see what their environment is like, what they enjoy doing and what their goals at home are. I can truly appreciate what they need and formulate a plan that is client-focused. Plus, I love getting to know people in an environment they are comfortable in!It can be daunting when a patient walks into a clinic and talks to a physio they’ve never met before. This factor is eliminated when we bring the service to the home.”
Outside of work, Kevin is equally energetic and community minded as he captains a volleyball team and volunteers his free time. He loves staying active and helping his clients do the same.
Leroy Physiotherapist Geelong Victoria
Leroy is a physiotherapist with an additional qualification in Exercise and Sport Science. This makes him perfectly suited to delivering exceptional rehabilitative and pain management services for clients living at home or in residential aged care.
Leroy has a passion for improving the quality of life of his clients through movement and strengthening, while also having experience in managing chronic complex pain conditions.
When asked what he loves most about his work, Leroy says:
“An aspect I love about physiotherapy is the caring interactions with patients and development of therapeutic relationships over time. We often get to spend more time with people than many other healthcare professionals, so we have a broader understanding of who they are, their lives, their goals in and outside of therapy and what really makes them tick.”
Having grown up on a farm, Leroy has always enjoyed staying active and healthy and in his spare time keeps his body fit in his home gym, while keeping his mind fit gaming with friends.
Welcome to the team
About Empower Healthcare
We Change Lives
Changing lives is what we do. Delivering high quality allied health services is how we do it.
Empower Healthcare was founded in 2016 by two people who were determined to improve the standards of allied health services in residential aged care. With industry knowledge and an innovative approach, Adam and Matthew set about defining what allied health services can be when quality and person-centred care is placed before all else in healthcare.
The partnership, that merged clinical expertise with business acumen, soon established Empower Healthcare as a leading provider of quality physiotherapy services in residential aged care facilities in Victoria. Woo Casino Australia offer huge bonuses and you can find woo casino bonus codes australia. This success fueled the expansion of our services within residential aged care, home care and NDIS to deliver occupational therapy, physiotherapy, nursing, podiatry, dietetics, osteopathy, massage and speech pathology.
Now offering comprehensive allied health services with more than 180 dedicated and passionate clinicians working in Victoria, Western Australia, New South Wales and Queensland. Empower Healthcare is growing and taking our unique approach with us.
A lot has changed over the years but not our commitment to the highest quality care, delivered by expert clinicians, aimed at improving the independence and quality of life of our clients. Helping our clients live their lives the way they want to.
How To Get Clients Started With Our Home Care & NDIS Services
Simply click on the image below for our referral form.
At Empower, we make delivering the best care and outcomes our highest priority and that is why we ensure that every cent spent from our client’s packages is having the greatest impact on improving their quality of life.
This is especially true when it comes to decisions about equipment. Our physiotherapists know that walking aid prescription is about so much more than walking. The correct walking aid allows independence, security and dignity. Unfortunately, the incorrect aid, or an aid poorly fitted, can have the opposite effect.
What is a walking (gait) aid?
Walking aids are also referred to as gait aids. A gait aid is one of several devices a client may be issued in order to improve their walking pattern, balance or safety while mobilising independently. Gait aids fall into multiple categories and include the following:
• Walking sticks or canes
• Crutches
• Walkers
• Standing Aids: to assist with manual handling often used with in rehabilitation.
A physiotherapist’s goal is to attain the greatest level of function with the smallest amount of equipment. Physios see gait aids as a valuable tool in ensuring safety and independence while working to improve and maintain mobility through strengthening and rehabilitation. The long-term result is more mobility with less reliance on equipment.
Why do we use our physiotherapists for gait aid prescription?
The prescription of gait aids by physiotherapists represents best practice and falls squarely within the scope of practice of physiotherapists who train specifically in the areas of biomechanics, gait analysis, gait rehabilitation and balance. Our physios work towards greater independence and mobility, armed with the experience and latest evidence-based techniques to help people rediscover the joy of movement without fear.
How can assessments by physiotherapists help to optimise home care packages?
• By reducing or delaying the reliance on expensive mobility equipment, physios free up funds for rehabilitation or other needs that may otherwise have fallen outside the budget.
• Involving physios in gait aid prescription and rehabilitation is proven to reduce falls in the elderly. This reduces the long-term consequences and expenses of injuries.
• Physiotherapists have a deep understanding of the woo by morrock predicted outcomes of various medical and physical conditions and can advise which gait aids may only be needed temporarily and could be hired rather than bought.
• Expertly fitted aids allow for greater independence and function, empowering people to live safely at home for longer.
A case study:
Peta was discharged from hospital after spending 3 weeks recovering from surgery. Once home, she found that she was very unsteady and fearful of falling after spending so much time in bed. Her case manager contacted Empower Healthcare for an assessment for a gait aid and a physiotherapist visited her at home and conducted a complete physical and functional assessment. The physio determined that the main cause her balance difficulties was deconditioning due to a long period of convalescence and prescribed an exercise program. They also recommended that a 4-wheeled walker be hired, rather than purchased as Peta was most likely to improve to her previous level of function. After 3 months, the walker was returned as Peta no longer needed it. She also did not need any modifications to her home as she was able to move around freely and confidently once more.
The right walking (gait) aid can be life changing and saving so give Empower a call to book a walking aid assessment with one of our physiotherapists.
Get Clients Started With Our Home Care & NDIS Services
Simply click on the image below for our referral form.
