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Category Archives: In Home Care

Taking Time to Listen Leads to a Successful Diabetes Management Plan for Annie

Website NDIS nursing solution for Annie

NDIS nursing solution for Annie

Annie 28, lives with her family and was born with a rare genetic disorder. She loves to draw, listen to music and was very excited about her upcoming birthday. Her father Jeff is her primary carer and recently placed Annie in a Group Respite House to give himself a break from his caring role.

Annie has diabetes and requires support in managing her condition as well as insulin administration. Empower Healthcare’s Nursing Team were engaged to provide morning and evening nursing services.

On the second night of Annie’s respite care, Michelle, our Nursing Manager received a call from the staff at the respite house at 9:30pm, to advise that Annie was refusing to eat and her blood glucose levels had dropped below the acceptable limits. Unfortunately to make things more complicated, Annie was refusing to talk and so they requested a nurse to attend.

Michelle went with one goal in mind – to get Annie to eat and drink so her blood sugar levels returned to normal. “On arrival Annie was sitting at the kitchen table. I went in and sat down with her and asked her why she wasn’t eating. Anne didn’t give a reason, so I prompted her further and asked if the reason she was refusing was because she wanted to go home. Annie admitted that this was the reason why she was refusing to eat. I gently explained to her that if she didn’t eat, her blood glucose levels would drop further resulting in admission to hospital.

I sat with Annie and asked about her family and she told me about her Mum and Dad and her brothers and sisters. When I asked if she liked dogs, her face lit up and I showed her photos of my dogs and she started talking about her dog. Without realising, Annie began to eat her dinner and drink a cup of coffee.

By finding out who Annie is as a person; her interests, important personal events, food likes and dislikes, I was able to connect with her, show genuine interest through my responses to overcome her refusal to eat and identify a better approach that safely manages her diabetes.

Our Nursing Team assisted in the management of Annie’s diabetes, and provided education to carers to assist them to feel more confident to support Annie with the management of her condition.

Jeff was so impressed with how we dealt with the situation that he asked us to continue providing nursing care at Annie’s home. Annie has responded really well to Empower’s nurses and the team have built a great rapport with her.”

At Empower, we listen to our clients about the way they like to communicate. What clients say is vital as a healthcare worker. Paying attention to what the person is saying and working out what it really means, opens the door to establishing collaborative, person-centric and meaningful health goals.

 

Our Service Guarantee

Our promise: We respond faster. Whether it’s our short waiting lists, same day reporting or simple referral process, you can rest assured that your client is in the best hands.”

We have listened to our clients and they don’t have the time to micro-manage their portfolio. They want to partner with someone that is reliable and dependable with transparent pricing structures.

Adam Gilroy Smith, CEO reveals, “Empower has grown by 100% over the past year based on our service model across Home Care, NDIS and Residential Aged Care. By listening to our clients and the challenges they face, we adapt, stay well positioned and respond fast to deliver exceptional care. The launch of our new service model is another example of Empower Healthcare’s ability to be agile in a rapidly changing environment.”

How To Get Clients Started With Our NDIS & Home Care Services

Simply click on the image below for our referral form.

Referral on-boarding now completed online in minutes

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In Profile with Jeremy Ong – Physiotherapy Home Care Team Leader WA

Website Jeremy Ong

Jeremy Ong - Physiotherapy Home Care Team Leader WA

We welcome Jeremy Ong to the Empower family. Jeremy is our Physiotherapy Home Care Team Leader in WA and has joined the management team to lead the Physio Team in mobile physiotherapy services.

Tell us a bit about yourself

My passion in physiotherapy stems from seeing the gap between a patient in hospital and returning to normal life at home. I hope on working to help with that transition and with that in mind, have completed extra studies in Chronic pain, Vestibular disorders and Lifestyle Integrated Functional Exercises.

Graduating from Curtin in 2012, I spent my first four years as a Physiotherapist in Victoria working in Aged Care facilities and Rehabilitation Hospitals prior to moving back to Perth. Since returning, I’ve been employed in the community sector as a mobile physiotherapist.

What attracted you to Empower?

It wasn’t the purple uniforms! I felt that Empower Healthcare’s values aligned similarly with my own. Having heard of the proven systems and structures working in Victoria, it was great to see and have that same support implemented in WA. Finally, knowing that the company will only look to grow if they continue to keep their promises made this role very appealing.

In your new position at Empower, what will you be looking to achieve in 2020?

I’m hoping to make an impact and establish Empower Healthcare as the number one choice as allied health home care provider in WA.

What do you love most about your role?

I get great satisfaction in being a part of a client’s journey in working towards and achieving their goals. Even though I have taken on a Team Leader role, I still get to go on the road and treat clients right in the own homes, whether the goal is to walk normally after surgery or to be able to climb stairs for the first time in 10 years.

What has been your most memorable moment?

“Having seen a client for 8-9 months after experiencing set-back after set-back to taking their first unaided steps with her husband looking on with tears of joy.”

What piece of advice would you give your new graduate self?

“If you treat the DISEASE, you win, you lose. You treat the PERSON, I’ll guarantee you, you’ll win, no matter what the outcome” – Hunter Patch Adams

Out of the workplace, what are your interests and hobbies?

I am a father of one very active toddler. My main sport of choice is basketball but up for trying different activities. I also enjoy working in the garden, despite having artificial grass in my backyard.

What’s a fun fact about you many people may not know?

I prefer listening to Podcasts and talk-back radio rather than music while driving.

 

Our Service Guarantee

Our promise: We respond faster. Whether it’s our short waiting lists, same day reporting or simple referral process, you can rest assured that your client is in the best hands.”

We have listened to our clients and they don’t have the time to micro-manage their portfolio. They want to partner with someone that is reliable and dependable with transparent pricing structures.

Adam Gilroy Smith, CEO reveals, “Empower has grown by 100% over the past year based on our service model across Home Care, NDIS and Residential Aged Care. By listening to our clients and the challenges they face, we adapt, stay well positioned and respond fast to deliver exceptional care. The launch of our new service model is another example of Empower Healthcare’s ability to be agile in a rapidly changing environment.”

How To Get Clients Started With Our Services

Simply click on the image below for our referral form.

Referral on-boarding now completed online in minutes

 …

In Profile with Tom Cui – Occupational Therapist

Website Tom Cui

InProfile with Tom Cui - Occupational Therapist

As a leading provider of allied health services, Tom Cui joins the NSW team as an Occupational Therapist. He joins our brilliant national OT team that are passionate in solving our client’s problems, making a real difference to their lives.

Tell us a bit about yourself

I came to Australia from China for study in 2012. I finished a two year program in the University of Sydney and got a degree in Master of Occupational Therapy. I have been practicing as an Occupational Therapist in a wide variety of settings since 2015, for instance, occupational rehabilitation, community practice, private hospital and aged care facility. I am experienced in ADL assessments, equipment prescription, home modifications, falls prevention and pressure care prevention.

What do you love most about your role?

As a Home Care Occupational Therapist, I enjoy travelling on the road and meeting different clients every day. I like the flexibility at work and look forward to empowering clients so they can cope at home safely and independently.

What has been your most memorable moment?

Within the first few weeks of working at Empower, I had an invaluable team experience that cemented my assurance in choosing the right employment organisation. I had an urgent Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) referral and with collaboration from the OT Manager and Case Manager, was able to conduct and submit a comprehensive assessment report within a very short turn-around time that successfully achieved the goal of facilitating approval for appropriate accommodation and services within a limited time frame.

As an Occupational Therapist in NSW, what will you be looking to achieve in 2020?

It has been an exciting time and I’m so grateful in having the opportunity and experience to expand Empower Healthcare’s allied health services into New South Wales. It’s fascinating observing a business grow organically from scratch and I have been thankful in transferring my previous experience and knowledge to deliver individualised, innovative and high quality health care as per my fellow work colleagues around Australia.

What piece of advice would you give your new graduate self?

As an international student, I used to worry if I would be able to find a job and survive in this field. Apparently, I have proven that I worried a little bit too much! Therefore, I would like to leave a piece of advice to the new graduate self “No worries, you are better than you thought – chase your dreams.”

What makes Empower different to previous places of employment?

Empower is like a big family to me. I feel I am well supported in the team.

Out of the workplace, what are your interests and hobbies?

I am a very active person. I like all sorts of sports, such as cycling, soccer, basketball and snooker.

What’s a fun fact about you that most people don’t know?

I am a big fan of heavy metal. I feel sorry to my neighbours when I play guitar at home…

 

Our Service Guarantee

Our promise: We respond faster. Whether it’s our short waiting lists, same day reporting or simple referral process, you can rest assured that your client is in the best hands.”

We have listened to our clients and they don’t have the time to micro-manage their portfolio. They want to partner with someone that is reliable and dependable with transparent pricing structures.

Adam Gilroy Smith, CEO reveals, “Empower has grown by 100% over the past year based on our service model across Home Care, NDIS and Residential Aged Care. By listening to our clients and the challenges they face, we adapt, stay well positioned and respond fast to deliver exceptional care. The launch of our new service model is another example of Empower Healthcare’s ability to be agile in a rapidly changing environment.”

How To Get Clients Started With Our Services

Simply click on the image below for our referral form.

Referral on-boarding now completed online in minutes

 …

How the Multidisciplinary Team Can Help to Prevent Falls

How the multidisciplinary team can help to prevent falls

How the multidisciplinary team can help to prevent falls

Here is a short overview of how falls prevention is approached through screening, assessing and intervention by the different professions that form our multidisciplinary teams.

75% of all injury hospitalisations for people aged 65 and over are a result of a fall. Despite this, falls need not be an inevitable aspect of ageing. Evidence indicates that falls prevention programs that address multiple risk factors are most effective with interventions that focus on the individual’s needs and specific risk considerations.

The Physiotherapist

Weak muscles and impaired balance are leading contributors to increasing fall rates in the elderly. Physical activity can go a long way toward falls prevention. Combinations of targeted balance exercises, general strengthening and walking programs are the most effective approach for long term fall prevention. Physiotherapists can create custom exercise programs aimed at improving balance, flexibility, muscle strength and gait. Physiotherapists can aid in finding the right walker, frame or equipment to improve safe mobility for older adults and those with a movement challenge.

The Nurse

Problems with bowel and bladder control can impact on an older person’s ability to stay active, healthy and independent. Incontinence, urinary frequency and assisted toileting have been identified as falls risk factors for residents in residential aged care facilities. Nurses can assist in managing incontinence that can lead to increased falls risk.

By working with GPs and doctors, nurses can also help to manage medication side-effects and interactions that can increase the risk of falls.

The Podiatrist

Podiatrists deal exclusively with foot, ankle and the related structures of the leg which are imperative to function and balance in standing and walking. A podiatrist can analyse stride and gait and recommend foot and lower extremity exercises that can strengthen this mechanical chain. Podiatrists can assess and fit appropriate shoes that provide support, fit properly and are non-slip.

The Occupational Therapist

Falls can often be the result of the interplay of environmental (extrinsic) and personal (intrinsic) factors. Occupational Therapists focus on supporting maximal independent function for the completion of activities of daily living (ADLs) in the safest and most ergonomic way. This may be through adaption of the environment to meet the needs of clients and residents or by intervening with rehabilitation to improve the quality and safety of functional activities.

The Dietitian

Nutrition is an important factor in falls prevention, as frailty and weakness result in loss of muscle mass and strength, neuromuscular impairment and limited mobility. Nutritional status has been shown to be a determining factor in risk of falling, severity of injuries incurred and recovery time after a fall related injury. Dieticians assist in developing food-based diets that support vitality and ensure the energy required to stay active and strong.

 

About Empower

We Change Lives

Empower Healthcare is a national allied-health service provider and partner with Home Care package providers, NDIS plan managers & Aged Care organisations to deliver life changing allied health services. We offer a full-service platform from physiotherapy, occupational therapy, podiatry, dietetics to osteopathy, massage therapy and most recently, home nursing services and pride ourselves in the delivery of high-quality therapy solutions, value packed services and responsive ethos.

It is a very exciting time with Empower Healthcare building on the success of its Victorian operation and now expanding nationally into NSW & WA. With a growing team of 100+ clinicians, we provide over 1,500 treatments every day and service more than 100 healthcare organisations. Building on this strong foundation, we are well positioned and committed to delivering exceptional care.

Our therapists genuinely care about the people we work with and take the time to build strong relationships that holistically improve social, physical and mental wellbeing to live happier and healthier lives.

 

How To Get Clients Started With Our Home Care & NDIS Services

Simply click on the image below for our referral form.

Referral on-boarding now completed online in minutes

Empower Embraces 2020 Legacy Week

Website Mary Burne

Mary Burne receiving her Legacy Week bear

Giving Back To The Community

During 2020 Legacy Week, running from 30 Aug – 5 Sep, we are handing out 100 Legacy Week bears to Aged Care residents, Home Care & NDIS clients that have a connection with Australia’s defence force services. Clients were also given the bears in recognition for their dedication and focus in achieving their health goals.

Empower Healthcare is a proud partner of Legacy Week in recognition of the thousands of Australian Defence Force personnel that have been playing an important role in supporting the Government’s response to COVID-19.

This partnership is very important to us as we have over 100 health workers engaged in delivering essential aged care and community healthcare services to vulnerable Australians nation-wide during a public health crisis that presents numerous challenges.

Scroll through our gallery of client stories on their appreciation of Legacy’s support to their families.…

Empower Healthcare proudly partners with the charity group Legacy to support 2020 Legacy Week

Blog header Legacy Week launch

Empower Healthcare is proudly partnering with the charity group Legacy - 2020 Legacy Week

 

Empower Healthcare is proudly partnering with the charity group Legacy in recognition of the thousands of Australian Defence Force personnel that have been playing an important role in supporting the Government’s response to COVID-19.

This partnership is very important to us as we have over 100 health workers engaged in delivering essential aged care and community healthcare services to vulnerable Australians nation-wide during a public health crisis that presents numerous challenges.

We would like to show our appreciation for ADF’s role in keeping our team and Australians safe through their involvement in:

  • The Victorian Aged Care Response
  • Contact tracing and community engagement
  • Medical testing initiatives and
  • Border control and Victoria Police checkpoints.

Legacy provides supportive services to Australian families suffering after the injury or death of a spouse or parent, during or after their defence force service. Legacy currently cares for 52,000 beneficiaries, including 1,845 children and disabled dependants throughout Australia.

During 2020 Legacy Week, which runs from 30 August – 5 September 2020, Empower Healthcare employees will be showing their appreciation by wearing a Legacy badge and handing out Legacy Week bears to Aged Care residents, Home Care & NDIS clients that have a connection with Australia’s defence force services.

 

Legacy Week

The Legacy Week appeal has been running since the 1940’s and is a time for all Australians to show their support for the widows and children whose loved ones have served our country.

The Legacy badge is a special emblem of support for our veterans’ families, symbolising our nation’s greatest values of mateship, compassion and fairness.

Legacy badges may be little but the funds they raise make a big impact in the lives of our veterans’ families.

Legacy Week is a time to give back to the families of those who have given so much.

2020 Legacy Week runs from 30 August – 5 September.

 

How Can You Get Involved?

Whether you make a tax-deductible donation, buy a badge, fundraise for Legacy or Volunteer during Legacy week, your compassion will touch the lives of our veterans’ families and give back to the families of those who have given so much.

Click Here

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Home Nursing Services Now Available!

NDIS Home Nursing 2 Website page 800 x 800

NDIS Home Nursing Services

Home nursing services are now available for Home Care packages & NDIS participants.

​Enjoy a full-service allied-health platform, where you can experience and benefit from our responsive service promise across all care professions.

Physiotherapy, Occupational therapy, Home Nursing, Podiatry, Dietetics, Osteopathy and Massage therapy.

Easily manage your client portfolio by using our streamlined processes that digitally capture your requests, quickly schedules appointments and receive timely reports without needing to chase or follow-up.

 

Home Nursing Service Solutions

We offer a wide range of home nursing services from; Medication Management, Wound Management & Skin Integrity, Diabetes Management, Continence Management, After Hospital Nursing Care, Clinical Assessments and Mobility Assessments and Recommendations.

Access our national office qualified nurse support member to answer enquiries on short and long-term care needs of your respective clients and any queries you may have surrounding transition.

And have peace of mind knowing we have carefully selected our nursing team to ensure they maintain our exceptional care service standards and have been screened and police checked to provide your clients with the highest nursing competence and safe care.

 

Home Nursing Service Coverage

Our nurses are available 365 days a year, from 7am to 9pm,

 

Home Nursing Service Geography

We will initially be servicing the South-East region of Victoria.

This area ranges from Brighton down to Mornington and east across to Beaconsfield.

Empower Healtthcare Home Nursing Services Geography Coverage Home Care, NDIS

Suburb listing

Below is a comprehensive listing of the suburbs we will cover.

 

We are getting a lot of interest in other areas too, so to help us identify meeting your nursing area needs, please register your interest by sending us an email and we will update you when we release our second stage in extending our geography coverage.

Click here for our contact form

 

Home Nursing Information pack

Our information pack extensively covers our home nursing service capabilities.  Download a copy to confirm that we can meet your clients needs.

Download our 10 Page Home Nursing Information Pack

 

Click here to go our Home Care Nursing Page & download the information pack.

Click here to go our NDIS Nursing Page & download the information pack.

 

Pricing

Please call us on 03  9583 1364 and speak to our Home Care Support Team or our national office qualified nurse for our pricing.

 

Referrals

Want to get started? Click on the image below for our online referral form.

Referral on-boarding now completed online in minutes

 

 

 

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Home Nursing Services Coming Soon!

Nursing website image 1500 x 800

Home Nursing Services for Home Care Packages and NDIS participants

We are very excited to announce the introduction of home nursing services for Home Care packages & NDIS participants.

​Enjoy a full-service platform, where you can experience and benefit from our responsive service promise across all care professions.

Easily manage your client portfolio by using our streamlined processes that digitally capture your requests, quickly schedules appointments and receive timely reports without needing to chase or follow-up.

Access our national office qualified nurse support member to answer enquiries on short and long-term care needs of your respective clients and any queries you may have surrounding transition.

And have peace of mind knowing we have carefully selected our nursing team to ensure they maintain our exceptional care service standards and have been screened and police checked to provide your clients with the highest nursing competence and safe care.

 

Nursing Service Solutions

We will be offering a wide range of nursing services involving:

  • Clinical Assessments
  • Medication Management
  • Wound Management & Skin Integrity
  • Continence Management
  • Diabetes Management
  • After Hospital Nursing Care
  • Mobility Equipment Purchases

 

Nursing Service Coverage

Our nurses will be available from 7am to 9pm, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

 

Nursing Service Geography

We will initially be servicing the South-East region of Victoria.

This area ranges from Brighton down to Mornington and east across to Beaconsfield.

Empower Healtthcare Home Nursing Services Geography Coverage Home Care, NDIS

Suburb listing

Below is a comprehensive listing of the suburbs we will cover.

 

We are getting a lot of interest in other areas too, so to help us identify meeting your nursing area needs, please register your interest by sending us an email and we will update you when we release our second stage in extending our geography coverage.

Click here for our contact form

 

Download our 10 Page Home Nursing Information Pack

 

Click here to go our Home Care Nursing Page & download the information pack.

Click here to go our NDIS Nursing Page & download the information pack.

 

Pricing

Please call us on 03  9583 1364 and speak to our Home Care Support Team or our national office qualified nurse for our pricing.

 

Referrals

Online nursing referrals are welcome from 11 May with bookings commencing from 18 May.

Click below if you would like to get started with us using our temporary Word doc referral form.

Click here

 

 

 

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InProfile with Anju Thomas, Senior Occupational Therapist and Team Leader

InProfile with Anju Thomas, Senior Occupational Therapist and Team Leader

As we come to the end of OT Awareness Month, we would like to introduce Anju, our OT Home Care Team Leader. Anju brings over 11 years’ experience in occupational therapy to Empower Healthcare and her extensive background from rehabilitation to private practice means Anju is perfectly suited and equipped to support her team in a wide range of occupational therapy services to help consumers build their independence and achieve sustainable therapy outcomes.

 

I love seeing the smile on my client’s face when they receive new equipment or learn new ways to participate in activities that, they thought were long behind them. Independence is everything. I love giving that to people

When did you join Empower?

February 2020

Why did you choose Empower?

I am excited about teaching OT skills and improving services to customers. Adam and Matthew embodied these same values during the interview which made it easy to choose Empower.

What do you love most about your job?

I love how I can help client’s achieve their goals and develop their skills. It is always a challenge in identifying the right strategy for each client. It is always invigorating to work with them to find the best approach which helps them achieve their goal.

What has been your most memorable moment?

The best moment for me has been where I helped a client develop their fine motor skills by playing cards.

In what ways has Empower supported your growth personally & professionally?

In the past few months, Empower has given me the freedom to develop OT programs and professional programs to improve the skills of all therapists.

In your new role, what will you be looking to achieve in 2020?

This year, I hope to set up a uniform standard of practice for all OTs to practice.

What piece of advice would you give your new graduate self?

To avail of every opportunity for professional development. It’s not just the courses and theoretical classes that develop a therapist’s skills but also practical sessions with senior therapists. It helps to attempt a new referral/ treatment program even if you have nil to limited experience as it only improves your knowledge and skill.

Tell us a bit about yourself. Out of the workplace, what are your interests and hobbies?

Out of the workplace, I am usually very much restricted to my daughter’s various activities. I enjoy dancing and participate in cultural activities when they come up. I love reading, mostly thrillers and crime and I believe Agatha Christie is the best author in the genre.

 

 

Employment at Empower Healthcare

Love your work

We are recruiting!

Do you share our passion for exceptional care?

We are searching for clinicians that want to keep their finger on the pulse of a thriving industry.

We offer a highly competitive package; flexible working arrangements, annual professional development program, subsidised external PD courses and paid study leave, above award remuneration, plus other benefits.

Join us Graduate Program

Influenza Vaccination Policy Communication

Influenza Vaccine image 1

Influenza Vaccination Policy Communication, Empower Healthcare, allied health, agede care, home care, NDIS

We recognise the importance of healthcare professionals taking every measure to help protect the health and well being of our clients and themselves in light of the continuing spread of COVID-19.

And we support the expert medical advice that everyone aged six months and over should be vaccinated against influenza this year, and every year, to protect themselves and the community.

Empower Healthcare is acutely aware that from 1 May 2020, all aged care workers and visitors must have been vaccinated against seasonal influenza to enter an aged care facility.

So, in alignment with the decisions made by the National Cabinet, we have updated our Influenza Vaccination Policy mandating all Empower Healthcare employees visiting clients in residential aged care facilities and in the community, to have up-to-date (i.e. 2020) vaccinations against influenza by 24 April 2020.

Employees will be required to provide evidence of this vaccination to Empower Healthcare by Friday 24th April 2020, in the form of:

  • Statement or record from a health practitioner
  • Immunisation history statement available from Medicare online or the Express Plus Medicare Mobile app

And we will provide all clients with clinician certification by Thursday 30th April 2020.

An email with our updated Influenza Vaccination Policy has been sent to all clients. If you would like a copy, please call the national office on 03 9583 1364.…