In community Physiotherapy, we encounter situations where clients face physical challenges, pain, and limitations. We understand these struggles can be tough — why must someone work hard to regain mobility?
Sisyphus and Rehabilitation:
Sisyphus was condemned to push a boulder uphill only to watch it roll back down, embodying the futile effort of repetition.
In rehabilitation, people often face repetitive exercises, setbacks, and slow progress. Like Sisyphus, they persistently push forward despite the seemingly endless struggle. The Physiotherapist becomes a guide, encouraging the client to find meaning in their efforts, even when progress feels elusive.
Finding Meaning:
Physiotherapists can help clients find meaning in their exercise by:
Focusing on small victories: celebrating progress, no matter how minor, gives purpose to each session.
Encouraging resilience: acknowledging setbacks but emphasising the importance of persistence.
Building connections: connecting on a personal level adds depth to the therapeutic relationship.
Creating purposeful routines: structured exercises become meaningful when clients understand their impact on recovery.
Physiotherapy, like Sisyphus’ task, involves repetitive efforts. Yet, by finding purpose in these actions, clients can make meaningful progress.
Empower Physiotherapists play a vital role in navigating the exercise journey, pushing forward despite the challenges.
Reach out today to discuss your clients’ requirements and goals, together we can beat that boulder.
Physiotherapists play an important role in managing pulmonary conditions through cardio respiratory Physiotherapy
According to the Lung Foundation, lung disease and cancers are Australia’s second leading cause of death and 1 in 3 Australians will be impacted by a serious lung condition in their lifetime.
Our Physios can help with cardio respiratory Physiotherapy.
Colder weather and covid infections, especially for older people or those with existing conditions, brings signs of sick lungs which can include;
• Chronic cough (eight weeks or longer for adults)
• Shortness of breath
• Difficulty breathing
• Increased mucus production
• Pain or tightness in the chest when breathing
If you notice any of these symptoms refer to our Physios who can help with a process driven assess management approach
• Assess chest and lung function: auscultation, resp rate, resp quality, oxygenation, chest configuration and general health
• Manage acute and chronic conditions
• Provide hands on chest physiotherapy when needed
• Aid return to work and function
• Improve endurance, oxygenation and quality of life
• Assist with managing fatigue
• Develop strategies for living with lung disease, including domiciliary oxygen
• Maintain physical conditioning, balance and strength
• Educate clients, carers and family members about lifestyle modification to improve vitality.
Respiratory Physiotherapy treatments are designed to remove secretions and improve airway clearance and make breathing and functioning easier with aims to;
– Remove secretions
– Decrease work of breathing
– Promote lung expansion.
– Prevent lung collapse.
– Improve respiratory function
– Improve quality of life
Mother nature knows what she is doing by clearing airways and secretions with a good old fashioned cough BUT we can help the cough to be effective or assist when a cough is too weak to clear the chest through;
– ACBT and AD: breathwork combined with positioning.
– Positioning alone for oxygenation and best possible lung function
– Pulmonary Rehab after infection
– Strength and cardiovascular fitness
– Pain management
Physiotherapy aims to holistically improve all the function that our clients have lost through the infection itself, but also from the sequalae of prolonged convalescence and recovery.
Get in touch if you think you or the person you care for would benefit from Respiratory Physiotherapy.
Get Started With Our Home Care & NDIS Services
Simply click on the image below for our referral form.
Stay healthy and injury free this summer by following some simple tips from our clinicians
Stay Active
No need for gyms and studios – going for walks, bike rides or swims are all great ways to stay active for the whole family.
Top Tip: Try to get moving early in the day, before the heat and festivities reach a fever pitch.
Take care of your back
Lifting boxes of gifts, preparing big meals and decorating are all part of many people’s plans but put our bodies in positions and under strains that we may not be used to. Avoid back aches and pains ruining your holiday by taking care of your posture and spine.
Top Tip: Carry heavy loads close to your body and lift them by bending your knees, not your back.
Avoid falls
Many emergency rooms see an uptick in injuries in early January after December mishaps. Changes in routine and unfamiliar surroundings increase the risk of trips and falls. Limiting alcohol consumption, keeping living areas clutter free and asking for help when feeling unsteady can help to reduce the chances of a fall.
Top Tip: Choosing well-fitted and supportive footwear can help to prevent trips and slips.
Indulge in moderation
Sharing great food is a big part of most Australian Christmas celebrations. From pavlovas and prawns to choccies and cheeses, many of us will be indulging in delicious treats over the next few weeks. Make sure that you are still getting enough nutrients by getting 5 serves of vegetables and fruit a day.
Top Tip: Have a healthy snack before heading out for meals.
Stay hydrated
As the weather warms up, it is important to keep hydrated by increasing your water intake. Listening to your body’s thirst cues is the best way to ensure you are drinking enough.
Top Tip: Always make sure you have water with you when exercising, especially in warmer weather.
Medication management
Don’t let changes in routine mean missing important medication. Fill scripts before going away or before public holidays to avoid running out. If you are unsure, contact your Home Care nurse, GP or pharmacy to help you plan for the weeks ahead.
Top Tip: Set an alarm to help you stick to your routine.
Whether you are planning a trip, celebrating with family or having a quiet time at home, Empower Healthcare is here for you throughout December and January. Get 2024 off to a healthy start by contacting our helpful Community Support team today or make a referral via the links.
Living at home longer…and better. How Physiotherapy can help your clients live as independently and actively as possible.
More Australians are opting to stay in their homes in later life, needing the support of Home Care packages to assist them to live in the place most familiar to them.
The Royal Commission into Aged Care found that Australians of all ages want to be assisted to live independently in their own home during their retirement years rather than having to go to an aged care facility. In fact, only 25% of older people would prefer to live in a facility should they need care.
only 25% of older people would prefer to live in a facility should they need care
So why do older people move into residential facilities?
Moving into a residential aged care (RAC) facility is often a complicated and an emotive decision that usually has more than one deciding factor. However, studies indicate that there are some common reasons that result in a move into residential facilities.
• History of a recent fall
• Recent hospitalisation for illness
• Dependence on others for activities of daily living
• Cognitive impairment
• Age older than 85
• Bereavement and loneliness
• Malnutrition
• Polypharmacy
How can Physio help your clients live independently for longer?
Physiotherapists assess and directly manage some of the risk factors that would otherwise result in people being admitted to RAC facilities. Using evidence backed interventions, physios can improve the function, safety and quality of life of clients who want to stay at home by providing:
• Falls Prevention programs and strategies
• Education for clients and care givers
• Risk reduction
• Functional exercise therapy
• Walking programs
• Rehabilitation after injury and hospitilasation
• Mobility aid prescription
• Referral to other health care clinicians when necessary.
There are less obvious ways that high-quality physiotherapy helps mitigate the causes of loss of independence at home, like:
• Exercise improves appetite (and reduces constipation)
• Activity can improve cognition
• Addressing the causes of pain means less reliance on pain medication
• Functional exercise therapy can directly target and improve ADL performance
• Care giver and family education and support
• Reducing the incidence of back pain for caregivers through demonstrating good manual handling techniques.
• Improving confidence to participate in social activities
Who else can help?
Occupational Therapists for home adaptions, assistive device prescription and functional therapeutic interventions.
Podiatrists for foot care and shoe fittings and recommendations, both of which are vital for safe mobility.
Nurses ensure good medication management, wound care and health monitoring.
Dieticians preventing and managing malnutrition in older people.
Massage therapists assist with pain management and therapeutic touch.
Allied Health assistants provide cost-effective care, supported by clinicians.
Osteopaths work with clients to manage pain and injury to holistically improve the health and vitality of older people at home.
Evidence shows that home and community-based Physiotherapy led exercise programs improve function in older adults living in the community, including those with cognitive impairment.
The best home based Physiotherapy places the needs and goals of the client at the core. With holistic, functional interventions that enable our clients to maximise well-being, safety and vitality while living life on their own terms.
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.
Reduced mobility can occur at any stage of life and for many reasons. Difficulties with moving around due to injury, chronic disease, or disability can have a profound effect on independence and wellbeing, interfering with work, relationships and community participation.
Seeing an osteopath or physiotherapist can help most people improve their mobility, even when complex health conditions are present.
Here are some of the ways they do it.
Effective Pain Management is often the first step in improving movement. An instinctive response that many people have when experiencing pain, is to keep still. Unfortunately, this often has the effect of increasing pain over time. By performing holistic assessments, osteopaths and physiotherapists seek to find the causes of pain and then intervene to reduce and manage painful symptoms, freeing up movement.
Easing stiffness in joints can allow for increased mobility as range of movement improves. Osteopaths and physiotherapists employ a wide range of techniques and strategies to reduce stiffness, some involving hands on treatment while others are activity based.
Increasing flexibility of soft tissues can assist in correcting postural causes of mobility restrictions.
Improving strength through individualised and function-based exercises that address the underlying causes of immobility.
Balance training to reduce the risk and fear of falling as both can be powerful inhibitors of mobility. Osteopaths and physiotherapists apply their deep understanding of human movement and balance to address the causes of falling and reduce the anxiety that often follows having experienced a fall.
Walking aid recommendations and adjustments to support independent and safe mobility inside the home and in the community.
Referral for services that promote mobility, this may include home adaption, medical care, nutrition management and home care support.
Movement is not only the result of quality clinical treatment, but also a powerful therapeutic tool and osteopaths and physiotherapists can help people unlock the benefits and joy of moving more. It all starts with an assessment and in most cases, the result is improved vitality, independence, and quality of life.
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 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 are always looking for new and innovative ways to meet our client’s needs. With that in mind, we are launching a new Allied Health Assistant service. This service will help support our clients while optimising their available funds. This will allow for increased treatment frequency, extended multidisciplinary support or the use of their funds for other purposes.
What is an Allied Health Assistant (AHA)?
Allied Health Assistants are trained health care workers who work under the supervision of Physiotherapists and other health care professionals to support people who need regular therapy.
What do Allied Health Assistants do?
Allied Health Assistants work under the supervision of health care professionals to develop and implement high quality and effective interventions for clients who need regular and ongoing services. Allied Health Assistants working with Physiotherapists can assist clients with exercise programs, mobility practice and functional task performance.
How does the Empower Healthcare Allied Health Assistant Service work?
Since July, selected Empower Physiotherapists have been working alongside a team of fully qualified and experienced Allied Health Assistants to identify clients who would benefit from goal-based therapy under the direction of an allied health assistant, freeing up fundsfor improved access to extended therapy, equipment and medical needs.
Our Physiotherapists conduct comprehensive assessments and create treatment plans that are best practice and evidence based to be implemented by Allied Health Assistants during regular treatment sessions. All clients are regularly reviewed, and treatment programs adjusted to meet their changing needs.
What is the benefit to clients of adding Allied Health Assistants to our services?
Including the services of Allied Health Assistants for clients who require regular and ongoing therapy, reduces the cost of Physiotherapy services and frees up funds for additional care and therapeutic needs. Clients may be able to receive more frequent treatment or additional services with increased available funds.
You can make the plan go further!
By switching across to an Allied Health Assistant, you can optimise each plan by up to $1,517.23 within a three-month period. Think of the additional health and wellbeing services that become a possibility at improving the independence and quality of life of your clients – helping them to live their lives the way they want to.
– It is our intention to expand our Allied Health Assistant team across the greater Metropolitan region. We are seeking your expressions of interest for priority geographic coverage. Contact your relevant Relationship Manager by email to inform them of preferred suburb coverage. (Refer below for State Manager contact details).
How to get started – Process to determine if your client is eligible
Existing clients
Contact your relevant Relationship Manager with an expression of interest for your client to be eligible for ongoing Allied Health Assistant Physiotherapy support.
If Physiotherapy support already exists, then a second initial assessment is not required. All other plans looking to introduce physiotherapy support by an Allied Health Assistant, must first book in a Physiotherapy assessment to determine eligibility.
New clients
Complete our online referral form and select an initial Physiotherapy assessment. Go to section titled “reason for referral” and state that “you are seeking client eligibility confirmation for Allied Health Assistant support.”
Simply click on the image below for our referral form.
A well-fitted and appropriate walking aid can be a vital tool for people wanting to stay independent and active while being safe when walking around their homes and communities. Physiotherapists are expert at selecting, fitting and ensuring the correct use of mobility aids, while maintaining and improving strength and endurance.
Here are a few signs that may indicate a person would benefit from a walking aid:
A history of falls or a fear of falling.
Use of furniture or walls to steady and support during gait.
Difficulty with climbing stairs and walking on uneven surfaces.
Deteriorating balance that is interfering with walking inside and outside the home.
Reduced activity due to a fear of walking.
If you notice that a person is struggling with mobility, getting a good-quality walking aid fitted as soon as possible can prevent falls and improve independence, allowing for a fulfilling and active life where safe walking is a part of every day.
Let an Empower clinician expertly assess whether your client needs a walking aid for a short period or on a permanent basis. Click on our referral link below.
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.
Ever wondered what a day in the life of a home care physiotherapist is like? We go behind the scenes with physiotherapist Patrick Jones, to explore what a typical day looks like for a home care physio and answer a few questions that you may have about becoming one.
Getting Ready:
My typical morning routine for the day is waking up at about 8am or 8:30am (a nice sleep in compared to my wife who has to leave at 7am for the hospital) and getting ready for the day. I officially start at 9am from home (if I don’t have a patient at 9am) and check my schedule for the day while drinking a coffee at home. This includes confirming the client’s names, conditions and address’ I will be seeing as well as answering any emails or printing any paperwork such as HEP.
Going to work:
The joy of community physiotherapy is being able to start at home and the varied environments you travel to from rehabilitation centres, client’s homes, nursing homes or independent living units. Empower ensures to provide clients where possible close to your surrounding area which means not too much driving but enough for a good podcast throughout the day!
Lunch:
During the day you get an allocated lunch break and since you are on the road you get to have a choice of amazing food options. Alternatively, you can also pack lunch and bring it on the road. I find it’s nice either way to stop at a park or beach and enjoy the food which is one of the big perks of working in homecare. Occasionally when we have a meeting you may even be able to score a free lunch.
Treating Clients:
During my typical day I am expected to see six clients, a combination of new referrals and follow up clients. One of the best parts of community is the diversity of conditions and clients we get to see. In a typical day I could see an orthopaedic client recently discharged from rehab, a NDIS participant, a client with Parkinson’s and an elderly client who is at risk of falls. This allows me to continue to grow and develop my skills in a number of physiotherapy clinical areas.
The aspect of home care I find the most rewarding is that we can focus on the client’s goals in their own environment. Unlike hospitals where the aim is to get them to a safe mobility for discharge, in the community we get to help the client return to their most optimised self. This means that we collaborate and partner together to achieve agreed goals.
For example, Linda is a 65 year old female who has had 3 falls in the past which has caused her to be too afraid to leave her house. Her main goal was to be able to leave the house and walk to the local shops. By implementing short term goals with an exercise program focused on balance, lower limb strengthening and mobility, Linda was empowered to build back her confidence. Together we were then able to practice her outdoor walking and preferred route to the shops. Linda is now feeling more self-assured about her walking and with ongoing practice and progress, believes she will be able to soon walk independently.
Team Environment:
Every fortnight the national physiotherapy team meet online. This is a great chance to receive ongoing professional development, bounce ideas off one another as well as meet the rest of the team and participate in fun social activities. As the Sydney team we also meet once a fortnight for coffee and case discussion. This allows us, as a smaller team to debrief on any complex cases over a coffee. Part of your training also includes a trip to the Melbourne head office, if you time it well you might be able to catch a game, Go Giants!
Empower Healthcare’s Graduate Program
We now offer year-round graduate intakes.
As the demand for allied health contribution to our overburdened Australian health system grows exponentially, we are strengthening our capacity nationally to help deliver better health outcomes for Australians and continually looking for new grads to join our team.
Empower Healthcare provides a comprehensive graduate training program across physiotherapy, occupational therapy, osteopathy and podiatry.
If you’re a physio that is seeking to strive and thrive then visit our Graduate careers page and apply today!
