Remote allied health services expanded to reduce falls risk

A virtual model of care piloted with older occupational therapy clients in North Queensland communities will now be expanded to cover physiotherapy services.

Bolton Clarke Research Institute Senior Research Fellow Dr Claudia Meyer said it was hoped the expanded access would help reduce frailty and falls risk for older people living at home.

The model uses trained personal care workers to help clients engage with allied health professionals in online appointments via iPad.

“Interacting through a screen has typically been a barrier to effective telehealth delivery of occupational therapy and physiotherapy services for older people,” Dr Meyer said.

“This program addresses that by using personal care workers who have received specific training to support the sessions.

“One of the benefits, particularly in regional areas where access to allied health services can be more difficult, is that clients can access appointments fairly quickly. This means their needs can be addressed more responsively, improving opportunities for positive outcomes.”

About 30 clients were enrolled across Cairns and Townsville last year, with a Melbourne-based occupational therapist connecting with them in virtual visits to do things like shop for and test assistive devices to help them stay independent at home.

The program builds on previous work by Bolton Clarke to address frailty and falls for clients living alone, including the By Your Side program.

Additional training is now being rolled out for more personal care workers and frontline teams to support expansion of the services.

Expressions of interest are being sought from older people in the Bundaberg region interested in participating - email hello@boltonclarke.com.au