It’s easy to forget about our toes and toenails, tucked away in shoes and socks or coated in nail polish that may be hiding an underlying problem. Even if you realise there may be something going on with them, they are hard to reach and take care of.
Caregivers and pedicurists can help with basic nail care, but how do we know when the time has come to call in the professionals?
Here are a few things that can indicate the need for a consultation with a podiatrist:
– If your nails are discolored
– When nails become thickened or thinner than usual
– If the nail begins to lift
– If the area around your nail has become red or swollen
– Pain or bleeding of the nail or nail bed
– If there is a loss of sensation in the feet
– When you develop any sores or ulcers on the toes
How can a Podiatrist help?
A podiatrist will perform a full assessment of your feet to diagnose the problem and any underlying causes.
They can then treat many of the conditions that cause toe and foot pain and dysfunction along with ongoing management for chronic foot and toe problems.
What can you do at home to keep nails healthy?
– Keep your nails trimmed by cutting them straight across, not too short
– Clean and dry your feet thoroughly every day
– Expose your feet to fresh air
– Check your toes and feet for redness, discoloration, or sores
– Wear socks that are moisture wicking
– Ensure that shoes are the right size
Podiatrists know the importance of feet and toes and want to ensure yours keep stepping, dancing, and jumping at all stages of life. Take good care of your feet with Empower Podiatrists – they get you where you need to go.
Foot problems are a leading cause of falls. Research shows that good podiatric care can significantly reduce the rate of falls for people living at home.
Falls are a major cause of injury with 43% of hospitalisation caused by falls and over half of all fall injuries involve a fracture. Reduced sensation, circulation and strength in the feet and lower legs can increase the risk of falling for people who may otherwise be living independent and comfortable lives on their own terms.
If these problems are accompanied by pain, everyday tasks and movement may become unmanageable, negatively affecting quality of life. Common foot conditions that can contribute to a fall include arthritis, heel pain, weakness, toe deformity, and decreased range of motion in the joints of the foot.
Podiatrist can help by
• Assessing the feet and legs of people who have a history of foot problems or falls.
• Conducting specific neurovascular foot assessments.
• Providing advice and recommendations for appropriate and well-fitting shoes.
• Implementing effective pain management strategies.
• Prescribing foot and ankle strengthening exercises.
• Providing complete toenail care.
• Introducing aids and tools to promote independence in safely tying shoelaces and putting on socks and hosiery.
• Providing comprehensive diabetic foot care.
Our Podiatrist also work with people on foot self-care where possible for the management of common foot conditions. By treating the causes of falling, Empower Podiatrist can help keep people on their feet.
We can help you take the guesswork and uncertainty out of whether your client would benefit from the success of physiotherapy, an exercise program or assistive equipment to improve their mobility when movement is challenging.
Our multidisciplinary team understand that mobility inside the home, within the community and beyond is a requirement for independence and a cornerstone of quality of life at all ages.
To assess mobility, our team may:
Perform a thorough subjective assessment to ascertain what aspects of movement a client is finding challenging and what effect that has on their lives.
Analyse gait on a variety of surfaces.
Evaluate a person’s ability to move in bed, sit and stand up.
Assess stair or step climbing, if appropriate.
Determine the need for mobility aids.
Assess strength, endurance, and balance to understand the causes of loss of mobility.
Once a thorough assessment has been performed, we will work with clients to create goals of treatment and individualised interventions that can help them to reach those objectives.
Here’s five signs that a person may need a mobility assessment:
Reduced ability to manage activities of daily living due to problems with walking, standing up or stair climbing.
Loss of confidence in leaving the house.
Family members or caregivers reporting an increased need to assist with standing-up and walking.
A history of falling or fear of falling.
Anyone returning home after a period of prolonged hospitalisation due to injury or illness who is experiencing a reduction in function.
With our multidisciplinary and holistic wellbeing approach, Empower’s assessment reports provide clarity and direction to equip you with the knowledge to determine the best care plan going forward.
We pride ourselves in the delivery of innovative, high-quality, allied health solutions that constantly evolve to exceed the needs of your clients and their communities. Our service model integrates five service commitments that empower you to help your clients improve their sense of self-identity, quality of life, and ability to live safely in their environment.
Extensive service offerings
Care provided by highly skilled clinicians
A team approach to delivering continuity of care
User friendly referral process
Superior reports providing clarity on future care needs.
Click on your relevant health care industry sector below to learn more.
How To Get Clients Started With Our Home Care & NDIS Services
Simply click on the image below for our referral form.
Poor circulation is most often the result from commonly seen health issues, such as obesity, diabetes, heart conditions, and arterial issues.
Our Podiatrists can provide your clients with a Diabetic /Neurovascular Foot Assessment to determine their current risk status, as well as monitoring for health problems occurring in the future. This Assessment is painless and involves the testing of the sensation, blood supply, skin integrity, reflexes, muscle control and structure of the feet.
Clients with diabetes should have their feet examined every 6 – 12 months. If their circulation is declining and left untreated, this can result in damage to the nerve endings, blood vessels and structure of their feet.
Clients that are non-diabetic should also invest in an annual Diabetic /Neurovascular Foot Assessment. This test is essential for the early recognition of neurovascular deterioration or compromise. Delays in recognising neurovascular compromise can lead to permanent deficits, reduction in independence/mobility and even loss of limb.
Empower Healthcare Podiatrists now offer Diabetic /Neurovascular Foot Assessments. Talk over your podiatry needs today on 13000 HELPU (1300 043 578) or start now with our quick and easy online referral form.
How To Get Clients Started With Our Podiatry Services
Simply click below to complete our referral form.
About Empower Healthcare
We Change Lives
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. 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.
On any given day, half a million Australians are living with a poorly healing or chronic wound. These wounds can be very difficult to live with and manage as they are often in hard-to-reach areas of the body and can impair mobility and independence. Examples of chronic wounds include leg ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers and pressure injuries.
Research has shown that a multidisciplinary approach is the gold standard in preventing and managing wounds and the pain, disability and loss of independence that they can cause. Each clinician brings skills and expertise, with the shared goal of maintaining and improving quality of life.
Nurses
Assess for risk factors that can lead to chronic wounds.
Assist in the management of underlying health conditions that can cause hard-to-heal wounds.
Assess wounds to determine the best treatment approach.
Treat- including cleaning, applying pharmaceuticals and dressing wounds.
Refer for additional care when required.
Podiatrists
Perform wound assessments on the foot, ankle and leg at every visit.
Are the cornerstone of diabetic foot care.
Ensure correct footwear to reduce pressure injury and falls related wounds.
Dietitians
Understand that good, balanced nutrition is the first step in preventing chronic wound formation.
Assess for the nutritional causes of chronic wounds, including poorly managed blood glucose and malnutrition.
Create meal plans that ensure adequate nutritional intake to prevent wounds and aid healing.
Physiotherapists
Assess for risk factors that can lead to chronic wounds.
Intervene with rehabilitation programs to reduce risks of falls, loss of mobility and poor circulation.
Assist with pressure care by implementing pressure relieving strategies.
Occupational Therapists
Perform assessments of clients and their environments for wound risk factors.
Reduce the risk of wounds by assisting with adapting homes to be safer and easier to move around in.
Recommend pressure preventing and relieving equipment and accessories.
Provide therapy that assists clients function safely and independently in their homes and communities.
By determining the unique needs of each client, an individualised treatment program can be developed that includes the health care team members best suited to providing the most effective treatment for the management of chronic wounds- promoting healing, health and vitality.
Here’s 4 reasons why you should place wound care at the heart of client care.
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.
Many chronic conditions like Diabetes, require more than 1 or 2 allied health team members for good management. Diabetes is an example of a complicated condition where an assessment may reveal the need for referral to a few members of the multidisciplinary team.
Here are a some of the ways that the various professions can help people managing Diabetes.
Nurses
Nurses monitor blood sugar levels and assist with medication management. They also manage the general health of people, including the comorbidities that are common in people with Diabetes, such as high blood pressure, kidney disfunction and eye disorders.
Dietitians
A well-managed diet is a cornerstone of diabetes care. Dietitians can develop individualized meal plans that take the tastes and preferences of people into account, while ensuring that blood glucose levels remain stable.
Podiatrists
Foot care is an essential part of care for people who are struggling to manage their sugar levels. Podiatrists ensure the correct footwear, nail care and skin management of the feet to prevent ulcers and ingrown toenails.
Physiotherapists
Diabetes can result in various complications that reduce mobility and having input from a physiotherapist to promote strength, balance and endurance can improve the independence and health outcomes of people with diabetes at any stage of the disease.
Occupational Therapists
Unfortunately, some of the health consequences of diabetes can result in disability requiring relearning and reablement for some of life’s vital activities of daily living. OT’s can provide rehabilitation to improve the function of people managing some of the more serious effects of diabetes and assist with the adaptions that homes may need to make living independently at home possible and enjoyable.
Massage Therapists
Along with the benefits of relaxation and improved well-being, massage may also be useful in managing the painful neuropathies that occur in people with diabetes. Combined with the effects on circulation and stress relief, massage therapy is an important adjunct to other therapies in the management of diabetes.
If your client is not on top of their diabetes care plan, let Empower Healthcare bring together the expertise and skills of different allied health professionals to support your client in management of their complex condition.
The Empower Difference
Changing Lives Through Exceptional Care
We pride ourselves in the delivery of innovative, high-quality, allied health solutions that constantly evolve to exceed the needs of your clients and their communities. Our service model integrates five service commitments that empower you to help your clients improve their sense of self-identity, quality of life, and ability to live safely in their environment.
Extensive service offerings
Care provided by highly skilled clinicians
A team approach to delivering continuity of care
User friendly referral process
Superior reports providing clarity on future care needs.
Click on your relevant health care industry sector below to learn more.
How To Get Clients Started With Our Home Care & NDIS Services
Simply click on the image below for our referral form.
We’ve listened to our clients and now include Doppler ultrasound assessments into annual resident podiatry assessments at no extra cost.
We share the desire to raise the standards of care in this sector and make a difference in people’s lives. Whilst we already utilise Doppler ultrasounds for clients that show symptoms of peripheral vascular issues, by preventatively using this screening tool for every resident as standard will help flag residents that have poor quality blood flow in their lower limbs even before symptoms may appear.
Early detection means that a facility’s multi-disciplinary team can look at further testing to facilitate an unrecognised condition, as well as implement complementary therapy services such as physiotherapy or dietetics to help reduce the risk of complications related to diabetes, strokes, and clots that if left untreated, may result in a preventable fatality.
Doppler ultrasound assessments are also available on request, whether it’s for new resident admissions, someone has a newly developed leg/foot wound or a change in health status. We want to ensure every resident is receiving the best possible care.
At Empower we do more, so you get more. We offer value packed solutions that aim to maximise the quality of the allied health services you receive for your investment.
Experience the Empower difference in Aged Care allied health services.
If you would like to learn more about the Empower difference, contact Eloise Mellor our Residential Aged Care Relationship Manager on (03) 9583 1364.
Compliant & High Quality Allied Health Aged Care Solutions
Our goal is to help you maximise the quality of care for residents, while achieving the best health outcomes at the lowest cost without affecting an individual’s right to safety and tailored care.
We help organisations achieve this by delivering evidence-based early interventions that reduce acute care episodes.
At Empower, we deliver focused solutions around preventive, restorative and reablement care, by highly qualified and skilled practitioners, including physiotherapists, dietitians and podiatrists.
Value Packed Services
Our value packed solutions are tailored to suit the specific needs of your organisation and maximise the safety, function and quality of life for your residents.
Working closely with each management team, our service is delivered in a transparent, compliant manner by experts giving you hassle free, peace of mind. As a result, we are a trusted partner of national clients.
Our professional allied health team treat residents with respect, compassion, kindness and make them feel appreciated. Patience, quality care and dignity are what sets us apart.
Exceptional podiatry that promotes healthy feet and an active lifestyle
When you work with Empower, you can rest assured that your resident’s footcare needs are being taken care of. Our aged care podiatry program provides diagnostic and therapeutic foot care, promoting healthy feet and an active lifestyle for your resident.
We work tirelessly to lower the cost of podiatry whilst lifting the level of care delivered. Plus we provide training and support to utilise the EPC program to reduce costs.
Empower’s aged care podiatry team cap treatment numbers to give you high-quality services you are paying for. Plus, we’ve listened to our clients and now include Doppler ultrasound assessments into annual resident podiatry assessments at no extra cost.
Our 6 weekly podiatry program provides comprehensive foot care to your residents and includes:
Like many residents, Antoinetta Manfrenuzzi struggles to care for her feet. Empower podiatrist, Song, has been working with her to help keep her feet and toenails healthy.
Song visits every six weeks to treat and manage the common conditions that have caused Antoinetta’s toenails to become thick, brittle and discoloured. With patience and care, Song has helped Antoinetta’s nails to recover. She still visits regularly to care for Antoinetta’s feet and keep them healthy. Empower podiatrists understand that feet are the foundation of mobility and independence and have the skills and tools to get feet fit and ready for walking!
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 Home Care & NDIS Services
Simply click on the image below for our referral form.
Empower Healthcare Podiatrists can detect changes in the feet early before they potentially lead to further problems. Poor circulation is most often the result from commonly seen health issues, such as obesity, diabetes, heart conditions, and arterial issues.
Our Podiatrists can provide your clients with a Diabetic /Neurovascular Foot Assessment to determine their current risk status, as well as monitoring for health problems occurring in the future.
This Assessment is painless and involves the testing of the sensation, blood supply, skin integrity, reflexes, muscle control and structure of the feet.
Clients with diabetes should have their feet examined every 6 – 12 months. If their circulation is declining and left untreated, this can result in damage to the nerve endings, blood vessels and structure of their feet.
Clients that are non-diabetic should also invest in an annual Diabetic /Neurovascular Foot Assessment. This test is essential for the early recognition of neurovascular deterioration or compromise. Delays in recognising neurovascular compromise can lead to permanent deficits, reduction in independence/mobility and even loss of limb.
Empower Healthcare Podiatrists now offer Diabetic /Neurovascular Foot Assessments. Talk over your podiatry needs today on 13000 HELPU (1300 043 578) or start now with our quick and easy online referral form.
How To Get Clients Started With Our Podiatry Services
Simply click below to complete our referral form.
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.”
