Allied Health Workers Enhance Quality of Life for Resthaven Clients

With new allied health workers on staff at Resthaven Western Community Services, clients now have an even greater range of services available to them at the Woodville Road site.

‘We offer in-home support services, exercise and social groups for older people in the western suburbs,’ Karen Hammond, Western Community Services Manager says.

‘Our allied health workers run classes here at the site, as well as help to assess and develop individualised Health and Wellness Programs for our clients. Allied health workers help clients maintain their physical and mental health, and help them to remain living at home, leading an independent lifestyle.’

‘The team make a very important contribution to client wellbeing.’

Allied health professionals include:

Shayla James, an occupational therapist who began working at Resthaven at the beginning of this year.

‘Everything I do with my clients promotes their independence,’ Shayla says. ‘It’s always interesting. No day is the same and everyone is unique, so what I can do for my clients is tailored for their exact needs.’

Working with an occupational therapist allows clients to understand what options they have around home modifications, useful equipment, and pain and fatigue strategies.

‘We consider everything about the individual, their environment and their occupations (anything that occupies their time),’ Shayla says. ‘An occupational therapist comes up with ways to help you keep doing things safely and independently.’

Nicole Suter is a new physiotherapist at the site. She started working with Resthaven in April and prior to that was in the aged care and disability sectors.

‘Physios can play a crucial role in “reablement”- helping someone to regain capacity and improve independence,’ Nicole says. ‘We can assist to build someone’s capacity through appropriate and tailored exercise to assist in fall prevention, improving mobility and pain management. We provide more than just ‘hands-on’ treatment. We like to take an active approach to client recovery and reablement through movement as well.’

Nicole says her favourite part about working with the clients is getting to know each of them, finding out what is important to them and how she can make a positive change in their lives.

Bill Pieri has been a physiotherapist with Resthaven since March 2023, but this is actually his second stint with the aged care provider.

‘I was originally employed as a new graduate in 2006 and worked at Resthaven until 2008,’ Bill says. ‘I love to help clients achieve their goals. I also enjoy watching their confidence grow as their abilities improve.’

Bill says that working with a physiotherapist offers total support for clients on their chronic pain journey.

‘I’m a big believer in dispelling myths around pain, and also providing evidence-based education,’ Bill says. ‘Physiotherapists who have kept up to date with pain sciences are important team members in chronic pain management.’

Bringing commitment and longevity to the team is Silvia Escalante, the site’s therapy assistant. She has been working with Resthaven for 22 years and loves getting to know the clients and listening to their stories.

‘I’m here to support them,’ Silvia says. ‘I also speak Spanish, which is very convenient for those Spanish-speaking clients who access our services.’

Across South Australia, Resthaven provides a range of allied health services designed to support older people to remain living in their own home. From in-clinic services to in-home options, we welcome the opportunity to discuss individual needs. To find out more, visit the Resthaven website at  www.resthaven.asn.au

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