We at ALLIED HEALTH SUPPORT SERVICES try to get your homework done for you every month – SO here is our monthly LINK ROUND UP BLOG for your perusing pleasure!
Anything you want featured or chased up? Let us know!
Special shout out to our colleagues working in AGED CARE this month…
Read on, save for later, share on social – here are some awesome links you, as an awesome allied health professional, need to know about right now…
Leadership
Louise O’Neill, new CEO appointed to Aged Care Workforce Industry Council…
The workforce industry council has announced former public servant Louise O’Neill will spearhead the delivery of the Aged Care Workforce Strategy as the council’s newly appointed inaugural chief executive officer.
Ms O’Neill has over 18 years of experience in the Australian Public Sector working across disability, aged care, health, Indigenous and communications portfolios. As head of the council from 6 July she will facilitate the delivery of the strategy over the next three years.
Ms O’Neill said she believed strongly in the 14 Strategic Outcomes of the strategy. Read the full article here..
Do you know an AMAZING ALLIED HEALTH LEADER? You can nominate yourself or someone else… Nominate today!
Blogs
How to Perform an Occupational Therapy Screening (For Adults!)
Source: Senior Flourish
What is an Occupational Therapy Screening?
An OT “screen” is a “hands-off” look to identify a patient’s needs and possible rehab potential with the determination to see if they would benefit from skilled OT services. Read the full blog & watch the video here…
FOUR PRACTICAL STRATEGIES – Motivate Elderly Clients Who Have Lost Their Confidence
One of the biggest fears faced by our aged clients is the fear of decline and loss of independence. For some it is the fear of being diagnosed with dementia while for others it is the fear of ceasing to drive and relying on others to get out and about. Sadly, there is still a lot of stigma associated with ageing and the common myths that dementia and depression are a normal part of getting older… Read more
Blog written by Dr. Julie Bajic Smith, a registered psychologist who has been working with the elderly for the last decade in community and residential settings.
“Peruse and share our blog offerings of interest for those working in the Allied Health community… click here”
9 ENJOYABLE ACTIVITIES FOR SENIORS WITH LIMITED MOBILITY
Research has found creative activities can help people who are battling chronic illness to decrease negative emotions and increase positive ones, reduce stress and anxiety, and improve medical outcomes. Seniors with limited mobility can still enjoy a variety of activities. Check out the 9 great activities for seniors with limited mobility.
Equipment & Resources
Have you checked the updated resources from Australian Department of Health? A list of resources — including apps, audio and video resources and other publications — about aged care.
- My Aged Care Quick Reference Guide – Activating the Quality Indicators Tile
- My Aged Care Quick Reference Guide – How to Access and Use the Quality Indicators Application
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) guidelines for infection prevention and control in residential care facilities
- Summary of My Aged Care system changes – June 2020
More resources available include brochures, booklets, and checklists. Previous webinars are also available! Visit the Australian DOH website now!
Mosaic app
New app for older LGBTI Australians and aged care providers- LGBTI app was created through The Rainbow of Difference Project in collaboration with the LGBTI community. The app provides resources for LGBTI people, their partners, families of choice, aged care service providers and frontline workers to better understand the specific care needs of LGBTI people. Download Mosaic app here…
Podcast
We Really Need to Talk About Aged Care … (But We Won’t) – In this episode, Darren Wake talks about just how dysfunctional residential aged care is in Australia and why there is one elephant in the room that everyone is too embarrassed to confront. Podcast ‘ The Handover’ brought to you by Ausmed.
Looking for community activities or day centres in your local area?
Day Therapy Centres offer services to older people living in the community to help them regain or maintain their independence so they can continue living in their own home. Centre Based Care services offer structured group activities like art therapy or gardening, in a centre based setting, to encourage social interaction. Find out more…
Preventing Dementia Online Course
This online course is suited to everyone – whether you are an individual with an interest in brain health and/or dementia risk reduction, or an allied health professional, clinician, aged care service provider or health policy professional – this course is designed to be accessible and appealing to people from diverse backgrounds. Learn more about the course- click here.
Audiology Australia’s Hearing Health and Dementia Position Statement
This position statement communicates AudA’s position on this issue and provides guidance for audiologists in light of the current evidence regarding the association between hearing loss and dementia. To read a summary of the Hearing Health and Dementia Position Statement, please click here.
Research
Stay up to date with the latest research!
Review of Innovative models of Aged care (2020) – research paper 3- This is a great current research paper- Free downloadable!
Australian Journal on Ageing, June 2020, Sex and intimacy in later life: From understanding and acceptance to policy
Age and Ageing, (2020), Research with older people in a world with COVID-19: identification of current and future priorities, challenges and opportunities
Age and Ageing, (2020), Prevention and infection control of COVID-19 in Nursing Homes: experience from China
Journal of Ageing Research (2020), Effects of Exercise on Cognitive Performance in Older Adults: A Narrative Review of the Evidence, Possible Biological Mechanisms, and Recommendations for Exercise Prescription
The Journal of Nutrition, Health & Ageing (2020), Relation of Poor Nutritional Status to Mild Cognitive Impairment in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease
Private practice
Allied Health Marketing Academy by Market Savvy
The Allied Health Marketing Academy is the only dedicated marketing program of its kind that combines learning, coaching and doing over a six month period. You learn everything you need to know to ethically promote your practice for the long-term while being supported along the way. Plus all strategies align with the AHPRA Guidelines and the National Law.
Megan is running a free webinar “Ultimate Marketing Strategies for AHPs” where you will get to see her in action, gain clever strategies to promote your practice and learn more about the Allied Health Marketing Academy that starts on 27 July. Click here to save your seat for the webinar that is running 7pm 14/07, 12pm 16/07, 7pm 20/07 and 12pm 21/07
Visit also… Allied Health Support Services PD Library FREE webinars and presentations for health professionals, covering clinical, non-clinical and business-based topics.
Aged Care Education tailored to you by Medcast
Medcast’s Aged Care team offer a holistic set of solutions to Aged Care Facilities to assist them to deliver high quality care to their residents by developing the skills and knowledge of their workforce.
Clinical
Fact sheet- Speech pathologists working with older people
How can speech pathologists help? Speech pathologists work with people of all ages, regardless of where they live or their level of disability. Speech pathologists work with older Australians to improve their communication and swallowing abilities to increase independence, their participation in society and quality of life. Speech pathology services may include assessment, individual and group therapy, counselling, and education of clients, family and staff. Advice regarding dietary changes and swallowing strategies and advocacy for older adults with communication and swallowing. You can download the FACTSHEET here..
Clinical guidelines for dementia
The Clinical practice guidelines and principles of care for people with dementia: Recommendations contain 109 recommendations that health and aged care staff can apply in their workplaces while also responding to the needs and preferences of the person with dementia and their carer(s) and family.
Webinars – designed for those diagnosed with dementia and their carers- hop on the website!
Self Care
Practising self-care for the elderly is so important! SO…here are some HOME WORKOUTS that you can recommend for your clients!
Falls prevention workout
Exercises for osteoporosis and bone health
Mobility exercises
More resources available to learn about the importance of regular exercise and help the elderly to stay active at home- Visit Exercise Right website!
Events
Preventing Dementia Online Course– is suited to everyone – whether you are an individual with an interest in brain health and/or dementia risk reduction, or an allied health professional, clinician, aged care service provider or health policy professional – this course is designed to be accessible and appealing to people from diverse backgrounds.
Indigenous Conference Services- Calling for papers!
FEATURED EVENT
Beyond the Reluctant Move – Book Launch by Dr Julie Bajic Smith
Care In The Age Of Outrage- Dementia International Online Conference
Check out these great links, services and resources and let us know how we can help you!
Until next time, let’s support each other! #alliedhealthprofessionsrule
Sarena Jones
Director @ Allied Health Support Services
Founder @Australian Allied Health Awards
