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Tag Archives: wellbeing

Announcements, Community, Mental Health, Wellbeing

We wish you a jolly good self care season!

Posted on by Nicole Cook
Caring for the Carer
04
Dec

Caring for the Carer

We Wish You a Jolly Good Self Care Adventure!

As the bustling festive season draws near, it’s all too easy to become caught in a whirlwind of tasks for others, neglecting the sacred art of self care. Here we are helping you to take a moment to reflect and explore various ways in which you can prioritise your own self care.

 

1. Set Boundaries

It’s important to know your limits and communicate them to others. Saying “no” when you’re overwhelmed is perfectly acceptable and necessary for your mental health. Therefore, make sure to prioritise activities that bring you joy and peace.

2. Schedule Downtime

Amidst the hustle and bustle, ensure you have pockets of time dedicated to relaxation. Whether it’s reading a book, taking a walk, or indulging in a favourite hobby, these moments of downtime can recharge your energy.

3. Maintain a Balanced Diet

With all the festive treats around, it can be tempting to overindulge. Aim to balance indulgence with nutritious meals to keep your body feeling its best. Remember to stay hydrated and incorporate fruits and vegetables into your diet.

4. Practice Mindfulness

Engage in mindfulness practices such as meditation, deep breathing, or yoga to center yourself. These activities can help alleviate stress and enhance your emotional health.

5. Get Enough Sleep

Prioritise sleep to ensure you’re well-rested and able to enjoy the festivities. Try to maintain a consistent sleep schedule, even with late-night celebrations.

6. Connect with Loved Ones

While it’s easy to get caught up in the preparations, don’t forget to spend quality time with family and friends. Meaningful connections can greatly enhance your emotional well-being.

7. Engage in Physical Activity

Exercise is a great way to boost your mood and relieve stress. Whether it’s a brisk walk, a dance class, or a workout session, find an activity you enjoy and make time for it.

8. Reflect and Express Gratitude

Take a moment to reflect on the year and express gratitude for the positive aspects of your life. Keeping a gratitude journal can help shift focus to the good things and improve your overall outlook.

9. Pamper Yourself

Treat yourself to something special, whether it’s a spa day, a new book, or a cozy night in. Small acts of pampering can have a significant impact on your mood.

10. Seek Support if Needed

If the festive season becomes overwhelming, don’t hesitate to reach out for support. Whether it’s talking to a friend, family member, or professional, sharing your feelings can provide relief.
Remember, taking care of yourself is not a luxury but a necessity, especially during the holiday season. By incorporating these self-care tips, you can ensure that you enjoy a joyful and balanced festive period.

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

Continence Management with Empower Nurses

Posted on by Nicole Cook
Continence ax web
13
Jul

Continence Assessments

 

 

Incontinence is a very common condition affecting 1 in 4 Australian adults.

The good news is that there are many ways that both bladder and bowel leaks and accidents can be treated and managed. With the help of nurses and other health care professionals, your clients can continue to live an active and independent life with dignity.

 

How we can help

Our nursing services involve support in the management of bladder and bowel control problems. We offer discreet services that aim to preserve dignity, reduce stress, and help people regain confidence so they can participate in daily activities and get you back to enjoying life.

Our support

We will take the time to fully assess your client and understand the challenges they face. We will conduct a Level 2 Basic Continence Assessment and then develop personalised plans and strategies to suit the persons lifestyle and goals.

Our Multidisciplinary Team support

Whilst our nurses provide continence treatment, they also have access and work closely with a large team of Allied Health therapists that can also provide additional continence care and intervention.

Dietetics

Our Dietitians assist with:
• urinary incontinence by monitoring fluid intake and providing recommendations for other bowel management strategies. Clients experiencing urinary incontinence tend to restrict fluid intake and this can contribute to poor health through dehydration and increase the occurrence of constipation.
• faecal incontinence by recommending a modified diet that can alleviate the urgency of bowel motions as well as assist clients with implementing a diet that will help with the frequency and consistency of bowel motions.
*Dehydration is a great risk in this group of clients.

Physiotherapists

Our Physiotherapists assist with:
• improving a client’s mobility and function so that they can access facilities in a timely manner
• utilise their continence aids safely.
• improve balance and coordination to assist with independent toileting
*We don’t have any specialist continence physios.

Occupational Therapists

Our Occupational Therapists assist with:
• routines based interventions – working on toileting routines
• strategies such as visual prompts and social stories to support understanding, reinforce routines and reduce anxiety
• understanding their sensory systems and interoception, so the person understands the body’s signals of when they need to go to the toilet.
• working towards independence with assistive technology eg. over toilet seats or commodes, Clothing adaptations
• educating clients family and formal supports.

Management depends on the type of incontinence, its aetiology, the severity of symptoms, as well as the consumers factors such as cognition, functional status and medical history. Our nurses have the clinical background and experience to advise options for suitable treatment approach for each individual to match their lifestyle and keep them at home longer.

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Catheter management

Medication management

Wound care

 

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

At home catheter care provided by Empower Nurses

Posted on by Nicole Cook
Catheter care blog banner
01
Jun

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.

 

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Medication management

Wound care

 

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Announcements, Community, Equipment, Falls Prevention, In Home Care, NDIS, Physiotherapy, Wellbeing

Walking (Gait) Aid Prescriptions with our Physiotherapists

Posted on by Nicole Cook
Gait aid image NDIS and RAC
02
May

Gait aid all

 

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.
• Single Point Stick – SPS
• 4-Point Stick – 4PS
• Pick Up Frame – PUF
• 2-Wheel Frame – 2WF/TWF
• 3-Wheel Frame – 3WF
• 4-Wheel Frame – 4WF
• Gutter Frame – GF
• Crutches
• Rollator
• Platform Frame – PF
• Forearm Support Walker
• Posterior Support Frame

How do physiotherapists view gait aids?

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.

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Announcements, Massage Therapy

4 Benefits of Massage Therapy for Seniors

Posted on by Nicole Cook
massage therapy 1500 x 800
03
Mar

4 Benefits of Massage Therapy for Seniors

Massage therapy has been used for thousands of years as part of holistic health practices. Thanks to a growing body of research, we now understand why massage is effective and how best to use it to improve health and wellbeing across all life stages. While regular massage therapy may improve overall quality of life, here are some specific benefits for older adults receiving regular massage therapy:

  • Relaxation of muscles and soft tissue that have become tight and shortened due to postural changes and decreased activity in later life.
  • Reduction in pain caused by common conditions such as osteoarthritis and lower back problems.
  • Improved circulation leading to decreased swelling and improved lymphatic function.
  • Decreased depression and agitation in older adults resulting in feelings of wellbeing and comfort.

Older adults bear much of the stress and anxiety during the current COVID-19 crisis. The limits on safe human interaction and touch have resulted in poor mental health outcomes for many people. The powerful stress relieving effects of massage therapy can help to alleviate the impact of social distancing and isolation for vulnerable seniors living at home and improve their ability to manage living independently for longer.

Learn More About Our Massage Therapy Services

 

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.

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