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

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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Community, Home Nursing, In Home Care, NDIS

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

Posted on December 1, 2020November 27, 2023 by Nicole Cook

01
Dec

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.

…

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Announcements, Falls Prevention, In Home Care, NDIS, Residential Aged Care

How the Multidisciplinary Team Can Help to Prevent Falls

Posted on September 30, 2020November 28, 2023 by Nicole Cook

30
Sep

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

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, NDIS, Residential Aged Care

InProfile with Eloise Mellor – Residential Aged Care Relationship Manager

Posted on September 29, 2020November 27, 2023 by Nicole Cook

29
Sep

Eloise Mellor joins Empower’s Relationship Management Team and brings over 12 years of healthcare experience to oversee Residential Aged Care client satisfaction and new partnerships across the eastern seaboard. With her warming personality, empathetic ear and professionalism, our clients are already experiencing Eloise’s abilities in presenting ideal solutions to their problems.

Tell us a bit about yourself

Although this is my first time working in the Aged Care sector, I have been in healthcare for 12 years and done a bit of everything. In England I have worked in a Private hospital as a Ward Clerk, Theatres receptionist, Bookings assistant, Ward Hostess and even in Finance. From there I went on to work for a private medical and dental healthcare insurer, looking after current and prospective clients across the UK. I then booked a one-way ticket to Australia and only meant to stay here for a year, however I loved it and ended up landing a sponsored job for a healthcare tech company, again looking after existing and prospective clients, this time across Australia and New Zealand. I have now made the move to Empower Healthcare and am very excited to be making a difference in such a critical sector.

What do you love most about your role?

I love that no two days are the same, I get to meet a whole range of different people with diverse needs when it comes to Allied Health. I love working to resolve what it is people want and finding ways to make it happen. My job also involves me liaising with many of my colleagues on a regular basis and requires me to be an expert on multiple aspects of the business, which means I get to learn a lot and work with amazing people, whether they be clients or colleagues on a daily basis.

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

Some of my main goals for this year are to build my network in this sector and to be known as a reliable key contact when it comes to Allied Health. I want to ensure that as many as possible facilities and Aged Care residents, across Australia, are receiving the quality and human care they deserve.

What’s your thoughts around allied health services for aged care?

For too long Allied Health’s primary role in Aged Care was to tick a box to generate ACFI funding or to meet basic standards, Empower Healthcare has changed that by using our time to genuinely make a difference to residents lives every day.

What attracted you to Empower?

I truly feel passionately that Empower Healthcare is making a difference to peoples lives and this belief has been cemented by the kind, considerate and passionate people I have met across the business. Also, with all the negatives of COVID-19 it really got me thinking that I want to work in a critical sector and make a difference.

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

I love seeking out a sunset and just appreciate nature putting on a show- perhaps with a wine in hand. I also like to keep fit, particularly spin classes or hiking. I have also been known to jump out of a plane before.

I also love travelling round this beautiful country that is Australia – Perth is next on the list when restrictions allow.

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

Believe it or not I have a degree in Fashion, I was headhunted by Ted Baker at Graduate fashion week in London and designed for them for a bit – a bit different to what I’m doing now! As much as I love designing as a hobby, I realised the fashion industry was not for me, I gained so much from the experience all the same and I’m very happy to be where I am now.

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.

How To Get Clients Started With Our Services

Simply click on the image below for our referral form.

…

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Announcements, Community, In Home Care, Legacy, NDIS, Residential Aged Care

Empower Embraces 2020 Legacy Week

Posted on September 2, 2020September 17, 2020 by Nicole Cook

02
Sep

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.…

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Announcements, Community, In Home Care, NDIS, Residential Aged Care

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

Posted on August 17, 2020November 27, 2023 by Nicole Cook

17
Aug

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.

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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Announcements, Community, NDIS, Residential Aged Care

Kurtis Rae Appointed Relationship Manager WA

Posted on July 7, 2020 by Nicole Cook

07
Jul

The strengthening of a liaison between our Healthcare clients in WA will be one of the first priorities of newly appointed Relationship Manager WA, Kurtis Rae. In a move designed to expand and strengthen the organisation in all three care channels: Aged Care, Home Care & NDIS, Kurtis will be responsible for building on that success and embed the quality services of Empower Healthcare into the WA community.

Kurtis enjoys business relationship management and making an impact on business operations. He previously worked for St John Ambulance WA in a similar role that involved managing relationships within aged care facilities and hospitals. “As a ‘people-person’, I love connecting with anyone and everyone, especially being able to help provide solutions! I love that I get to build partnerships and relationships with like-minded providers to increase independence and improve the quality of life within our community.”

Interestingly, Kurtis’ kind and thoughtful nature extends to being a hero and saving a 16-year-old boy’s life. While the majority of the bystanders looked on in panic, yelled or got their mobile phones out to call for help, Kurtis and his friend immediately put their CPR training to work and kept the boy’s heart pumping until the paramedics arrived. “We were lucky enough to save his life. It’s still a key motivator for doing what I do, inspiring me to change and influence lives in the career I choose.”

So when he’s not saving lives, he’s coaching with Gwelup Croatia Soccer Club and spending time with family, friends and adopted bull-arab dog.

It brings us great pleasure in announcing Kurtis’ appointment to Empower Healthcare. Please join us in welcoming Kurtis.

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.

How To Get Clients Started With Our Services

Simply click on the image below for our referral form.

…

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Announcements, Home Nursing, In Home Care, NDIS

Home Nursing Services Now Available!

Posted on May 18, 2020May 18, 2020 by Nicole Cook

18
May

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.

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.

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.

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Announcements, In Home Care, NDIS

Home Nursing Services Coming Soon!

Posted on May 5, 2020November 22, 2023 by Nicole Cook

05
May

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.

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.

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.

Suburb listing

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

Click here for our contact form

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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Announcements, In Home Care, NDIS, Residential Aged Care

Influenza Vaccination Policy Communication

Posted on April 9, 2020 by Nicole Cook

09
Apr

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.…

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