If you’re caring for an older person living at home, it can be hard to find the right balance between helping and promoting independence. Our telehealth consultations help to provide the clarity and confidence you need to provide the right level of support.
What is telehealth physiotherapy or telephysiotherapy?
According to the Australian Physiotherapy Association, telehealth physiotherapy (telephysiotherapy) is a consultation where the client and physiotherapist (and possibly support person) are simultaneously present, thanks to video technology, but are not co-located.
Physiotherapists have embraced telehealth in the past decade, using adapted assessment and treatment techniques. And it works well. Telehealth has been shown to deliver high-quality outcomes similar to face-to-face physiotherapy. It’s covered by most private health insurers and Medicare.
Benefits of telehealth physiotherapy for older adults and their carers
Many people love the convenience of telehealth. That can be especially beneficial when you’re caring for an older person.
With telehealth, there are no transport issues to consider. There’s no stress over parking and managing mobility difficulties to get to the clinic. There’s no need to be concerned about tiring someone out or exposing them to other people’s germs because they can access telehealth physiotherapy from home.
Telehealth also enables more flexibility to choose longer or shorter sessions and it’s easier to slot in a quick extra session if needed.
What kind of things can be addressed in telehealth physiotherapy?
Telehealth physiotherapy consultations are a great way to help older adults to optimise their physical wellbeing and mobility.
We can cover questions or concerns such as:
- Is my mum doing enough physical activity?
- Dad wants to go on a trip – how can he improve his overall fitness so he can get the most out of it?
- Joyce likes playing bowls – how can she improve her balance?
- What’s the best way for me to help David get up from his chair?
Through telehealth support, we will work with you and the person you care for to help you understand:
- How to provide the right type and amount of support while promoting independence
- For any given activity or task, should you physically assist, partly facilitate or just encourage the person to do it themselves?
- The best wellbeing program to follow.
Sessions include:
- A detailed assessment and observation
- Discussion of the older person’s goals (and yours)
- Forming a diagnosis to guide the direction of our program
- Guided therapy and treatment techniques
- A home program supported by information and materials – we’ll send these after the session.
How does a telehealth session work?
Telehealth is provided through video calls or, if you prefer, a phone call.
We encourage you to be there with the person so you can troubleshoot any technical issues and take an active part in the consultation.
Please consider their privacy in the consultation. If there are other people in the house, please go to a private room and shut the door.
Our video consultations are delivered through a purpose-built all-in-one health platform, Coviu. This is a secure and private platform that is designed to be easy to use.
Before your session, we’ll send you a link via email or SMS. When it’s time, simply click on the link and it should open the Coviu platform – you don’t have to sign up, you simply click to join the call.
If you prefer a phone call, that’s fine. We ask that you put it on speaker so that you can both take part in the consultation.
Telephysiotherapy for older people with Jasmine Health Care
Jasmine Health Care’s founding physiotherapist, Glenys, has considerable experience working with older people and the people who care for them. She understands how complex this stage of life can get so she focuses on helping clients and carers find clarity and develop practical solutions.
She believes it’s essential to provide the best possible support in addition to the sessions themselves. That includes preparation prior to the session, developing agreed goals and treatment plans, high-quality informative and treatment material, and flexibility in session times and lengths to suit client needs.
If you’re interested in exploring how telehealth physiotherapy could help you and the older person you care for, please get in touch.
Disclaimer
All information is general and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Jasmine Health Care can consult with you to confirm if a particular treatment, procedure or approach is right for you.
Sources
- Australian Physiotherapy Association, Telehealth guidelines, https://australian.physio/sites/default/files/APATelehealthGuidelinesCOVID190420FA.pdf, [Accessed 15 September 2023]
- Cottrell, M. A., Galea, O. A., O’Leary, S. P., Hill, A. J., & Russell, T. G. (2017). Real-time telerehabilitation for the treatment of musculoskeletal conditions is effective and comparable to standard practice: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical rehabilitation, 31(5), 625-638, available at https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27141087/, [Accessed 15 September 2023]