Announcements, Community, Home Nursing, In Home Care, NDIS, Wellbeing

How A Nursing Assessment Can Support Health At Home

Posted on August 4, 2021November 22, 2023 by Nicole Cook

04
Aug

Inviting someone into a client’s home when they are unwell can be daunting. Our Empower Home Nursing team are skilled at making people feel at ease whilst prioritising their safety and quality of care during all assessments. A home nursing assessment gives the nurse an opportunity to assess the client in their own environment and tailor a specific care plan, to keep them home for longer.

Clients who benefit from home nursing assessments include:

New clients on home care packages
People with deteriorating health
Individuals managing chronic health conditions
Clients with complex care needs
Anyone who has recently returned home after a hospital admission and is struggling

Why is a nursing assessment important?

To assess all aspects of physical, mental and social wellbeing.
To identify areas in which individuals require additional support.
Establishing whether clients are safe and able to cope at home.
To assist in planning and implementing of appropriate care.
Nursing assessments allow clients to participate in their own care by engaging them in the assessment process.

The primary goal of a home nursing assessment is to manage the clients health at home for longer and avoid hospitalisation. Book an appointment now giving your client the freedom to live the life they choose to live.

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.

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.

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Announcements, Community, Home Nursing, In Home Care, NDIS, Wellbeing

The 5 types of clients who would benefit from a home nursing assessment and why

Posted on March 26, 2021November 27, 2023 by Nicole Cook

26
Mar

Home health care nursing services can be vital for the wellbeing of clients living at home and wanting to continue to do so. A home nursing assessment is a convenient and easy way to establish the support and medical needs for people who find attending out-patient services difficult, while providing the clinician with valuable information regarding the holistic care needs of clients seen within their unique home environments.

Clients who benefit from home nursing assessments include:

New clients on home care packages,
People with deteriorating health,
Individuals managing chronic health conditions,
Clients with complex care needs,
Anyone who has recently returned home after a hospital admission and is struggling.

Why is a nursing assessment important?

To assess all aspects of physical and social wellbeing.
To identify areas in which individuals require additional support.
Establishing whether clients are safe and able to cope at home.
To assist in planning and implementing of appropriate care.
Nursing assessments allow clients to participate in their own care by engaging them in the assessment process.

Booking a home care nursing assessment can be an important step in giving people living at home the freedom to live the lives they choose to live.

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.

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Equipment, Exercise, In Home Care, Mobility, NDIS, Physiotherapy, Wellbeing

Why the Otago Exercise Programme may be right for your client

Posted on March 11, 2021December 15, 2023 by Nicole Cook

11
Mar

Physiotherapists working in community settings can improve the independence, safety and quality of life of older people living at home by implementing evidence-based exercise programmes as part of comprehensive home care.

Why the Otago Exercise Programme?

Proven 35% reduction in falls and injuries resulting from falls.
It is equally effective in men and women.
The programme improves participants’ strength and balance.
Maintains confidence in carrying out everyday activities without falling.
The programme is cost effective and easy to implement at home.

Who benefits from the programme?

Older adults who:

Have a history of a fall.
Rely on walking for independence.
Fear falling and lack the confidence to enjoy activities inside and outside the home.
Have experienced a decrease in function following illness or injury.
Notice reduced strength and balance when performing activities of daily living.

By using this programme, physiotherapists can adapt exercises to meet the unique goals of individuals with complex medical needs at most stages of reablement and walking mobility while using a proven and effective approach to exercise therapy.

“I love using the Otago Exercise Programme with my clients. It’s effective and easy to adapt to the diverse environments I work in. My clients experience increased confidence that comes from improved balance and strength and allows them to participate in their community and remain independent for as long as possible.”

Briony Watt, Physiotherapist

About Empower

We Change Lives

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

Simply click on the image below for our referral form.

…

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Announcements, Equipment, Exercise, In Home Care, Mobility, NDIS, Occupational Therapy, Wellbeing

Promoting Independence at Home Through Retraining Activities of Daily Living

Posted on March 10, 2021November 27, 2023 by Nicole Cook

10
Mar

For people recovering from injury and surgery, or managing a chronic illness or disability at home, it is often the little things that can be the most frustrating – from hair washing to buttoning a shirt. Research has shown that Activities of Daily Living (ADL) retraining is important for improving an individuals’ sense of self identity, quality of life, and ability to live safely in their own home. Occupational therapists focus on enabling clients to participate in life activities that are important and meaningful to them.

What Are Activities of Daily Living?

ADL’s include all those basic activities we engage in to make sure that we survive and can function in society. These are the little and not so little things we all need to do to take care of ourselves, our families, and our homes. ADL’s include some of the most important skills for independence–but also some of the most challenging.

Some Activities of Daily Living include:

Grooming and hygiene
Functional mobility and getting from place to place.

ADLs could also include activities to support the various roles we play in our lives such as:

Laundry
Cooking
Writing
Using the computer
Gardening
Driving
Leisure activities are also considered activities of daily living as they are essential for quality of life.

How Can Occupational Therapy Help with Retraining in Daily Living Skills?

An at-home rehabilitation program with a skilled occupational therapist can help clients retrain in daily living skills and regain independence, confidence, and quality of life.

Some of the techniques used in occupational therapy for ADL include:

Making recommendations for changes to be made in your home and equipment needed, including shower bars, non-skid surfaces on stairs, built up cutlery and helping patients learn to use new equipment.
Individualised strength-based training using theraputty and hand therapy.
Reteaching basic movements, from getting in and out of bed to getting in and out of the shower or bath.
Working with clients on actual daily life activities to regain fine motor skills and confidence. This includes activities like opening and closing a tube of toothpaste, working on buttons and zips, stacking coins, and picking up small objects.
Doing arts, crafts, cooking and baking–both as a creative release and a fine motor skill booster.
Playing games like cards and chess that involve picking up small pieces as well as using cognitive strategies.

The main goal of retraining Daily Living Skills at home is restoring independence. Ability to complete ADLs is a predictor of safety and independence in the home. Helping clients develop the skills and confidence they need to remain at home is a goal that home care Occupational Therapists aim for every day when working in the community.

Learn More About Our Home Care Occupational Therapy Services

About Empower

We Change Lives

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

Simply click on the image below for our referral form.

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Announcements, Dietetics, In Home Care, NDIS, Residential Aged Care, Wellbeing

Six signs that your client or resident may need a dietitian

Posted on February 11, 2021November 27, 2023 by Nicole Cook

11
Feb

Malnutrition is often missed in older people.

Appetite and weight tend to decrease slowly as older people who manage their own shopping, food preparation and eating reduce dietary intake without realising it. Family members and carers who see the person regularly may only begin noticing the weight loss after significant physical changes have occurred. While the causes of weight loss are complex, here are a few indicators that someone may need dietary intervention:

Unplanned weight loss in the last 3-6 months
Falling Body Mass Index (BMI)
Reduced nutritional intake
Low levels of nutrients noted during blood analysis
A history of alcohol misuse
Use of medicines including insulin, chemotherapy, antacids, or diuretics.

Dieticians specialise in improving and optimising nutrition by considering the needs and preferences of the individual. Early, practical intervention can help in maintaining general health, activity levels and independence for older people living in the community and in residential aged care.

About Empower

We Change Lives

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

Simply click on the image below for our referral form.

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Announcements, Dietetics, In Home Care, NDIS, Residential Aged Care, Wellbeing

Six ways a dietitian can help your ageing clients

Posted on January 27, 2021February 3, 2021 by Nicole Cook

27
Jan

Malnutrition is a common cause of loss of vitality and poor health outcomes in older people.

Reduced dietary intake of essential nutrients and calories often occurs as a result of a combination of conditions and factors that can make food preparation and eating difficult and unappealing for older adults. Getting to the bottom of why someone may be developing nutrient and calorie deficits and implementing strategies to improve diet and quality of life can take time and expertise.

A dietitian can assist in the management of at-risk older people living in the community and residential aged care settings by:

1. Screening to ascertain the BMI and nutritional intake of people experiencing unwanted weight loss.- Comprehensive assessments to determine the causes of malnutrition.

2. Implementing “Food First” strategies like eating small but frequent, high energy, high protein snacks and meals.

3. Implementing nutrition support for malnourished people who are unable to maintain body weight by food intake alone.

4. Developing practical and appropriate meal plans and schedules to improve daily nutritional intake.

5. Supporting people in the community to access meal and food services that meet their individual tastes, dietary needs, and abilities.

6. Improve the quality of life of ageing clients by increasing the energy they have available to participate in social and community activities.

Diet and food preferences are personal and often sensitive matters, dieticians work with individuals to create the best personalized and enjoyable solutions for people struggling to maintain adequate nutrient intake.

Empower’s dietetic services is available across all of our service channels, residential aged care, home care and NDIS. Please click on the relevant link below to learn more.

About Empower

We Change Lives

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

Simply click on the image below for our referral form.

…

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Announcements, Equipment, Exercise, Falls Prevention, Residential Aged Care, Wellbeing

Empower Healthcare collaborates with Mayflower on design of Wellness Centre

Posted on October 26, 2020November 27, 2023 by Nicole Cook

26
Oct

The team at Empower are thrilled to have been able to support, our partners in health, Mayflower with the design of the Wellness Centre in their new building.

As Allied Health Professionals our recommendations for the equipment and general use of the room has been carefully considered to ensure it caters to a range of people including staff, residents, older people in the community and clients with disabilities.

The Wellness Centre will provide a whole range of physical, social, and mental benefits for everyone at Mayflower. We envisage that this space will promote a culture of wellbeing for everyone as it will encourage and invite residents to get together, have a laugh and participate in daily physical activity.

Whether the goal is to improve walking, optimise heart and lung function through cardiovascular exercise or strengthen bones and muscles, there is something in the space for everyone.

The inclusion of parallel bars (which are great for getting people back on their feet after a stroke or surgery) an adjoining treatment room (for private hands on therapy by our Physiotherapists) and a wall of floor to ceiling mirrors (to monitor technique and visible improvements) positions the humble space to resemble a smaller rehabilitation style gym.

It’s a credit to the team at Mayflower for their hard work and determination in providing a space that truly promotes wellbeing. We are honoured to have been involved in this project and couldn’t be happier with the end result.

We’re looking forward to the grand opening of the facility.

About Empower

We Change Lives

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Exercise, Muscle Function, Office, Posture, Wellbeing

10 health and wellness tips for office workers

Posted on April 9, 2019November 20, 2023 by Nicole Cook

09
Apr

In case you haven’t heard sitting is the new smoking. Research has shown that sitting for extended periods of time, like sitting at a desk or in a car, can have serious health implications. Aside from developing musculoskeletal issues like neck, shoulder and back pain sedentary lifestyles increase our risk of developing obesity, heart disease, diabetes and even some types of cancer.

So here are our top 10 tips to getting you moving more in the workplace:

Stand up and change position every half hour
Take the stairs where possible instead of an elevator
Organise a group activity (Different exercise every hour on the hour i.e. 10 squats or star jumps)
Rather than sending an email walk over to a colleague to talk
Try standing or walking meetings
Park you’re car as far as possible or better yet walk to/from work or catch public transport
Try sitting on an exercise ball
Drink plenty of water
Use a stand up workstation
Use phone calls as a trigger to get up and walk around the office or better yet walk around whilst talking on the phone

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Massage Therapy, Mental Health, Osteopathy, Physiotherapy, Wellbeing

The Science of Massage and why it feels so good

Posted on March 1, 2019November 20, 2023 by Nicole Cook

01
Mar

Having a massage is one of the most relaxing things on Earth. I mean it doesn’t take a Scientist to know that having a massage feels so good. But there are a few Scientific things occurring to our bodies during and after a massage that explain why we feel so good.

1. Increased circulation

Research tells us that massage leads to vasodilation (widening of blood vessels) through stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system receptors. Through the physical manipulation of soft tissue and associated chemical responses, the circulatory or cardiovascular system ensures that blood is circulated throughout the body.

Why is this important you ask?

Well blood contains nutrients, oxygen, carbon dioxide, hormones and blood cells and the circulatory system is the means to transport these to and from the cells and tissues within our bodies. This creates healthier cells and tissues within the body by removing the toxins and waste to promote homeostasis.

2. Increased levels of Happy chemicals: Dopamine, Serotonin, Oxytocin and Endorphins

This quartet is responsible for our happiness and many studies have shown that Massage leads to increased levels of these neurotransmitters in our systems. So not only is Massage beneficial for our Physical wellbeing but improves our Mental wellbeing also.

Dopamine

Dopamine is a neurohormone that is released by the Hypothalamus in our bodies and provides us with improved psychological effects. This neurotransmitter helps regulate movement, emotional response and most importantly controls the brains reward and pleasure centers. So for some people receiving a massage induces the same sense of pleasure as physical intimacy, alcohol or recreational drugs. No wonder some people have an addiction to massages!

Serotonin

Serotonin is a mood stabiliser and often flows when we feel significant or important. Research has shown that massages can decease our levels of cortisol by 30 percent and when the production of Cortisol is inhibited our brains are in an optimal state to produce serotonin. As a result from the positive impact on mood and feelings of content it is not uncommon for people to fall asleep during a massage despite rigorous physical manipulation.

Oxytocin

More commonly known as the “love hormone” is released when massage is not vigorous i.e. a gentle massage you would receive in a spa whilst getting pampered. The increased production of this hormone often leads to that warm and fuzzy feeling inside and is often elevated in nursing mothers or people who fall in love.

Endorphins

We’ve all heard of Endorphins but what are they actually? Endorphins or “endogenous morphine” refers to a morphine-like substance originating from within the body (they are produced by the Central Nervous System and the Pituitary Gland). Their primary role is to inhibit the communication of pain signals but can also produce a feeling of euphoria (an experience of pleasure or excitement and intense feelings of wellbeing and happiness) funnily enough the same sensation experienced from other opoids.

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