Care Forward Allied Health Services

The Care Forward Allied Health team provides specialist services and programs to get you moving and improve your health so you can make the most of your life at home.

Care Forward employs:

• occupational therapists, 
• exercise physiologists, 
• dietitians, and 
• social workers.

Occupational Therapists (OTs)

OTs work with you to improve your independence, safety and confidence.

• OTs work with you to recognise and overcome risk factors for falls, and can recommend home modifications such as the installation of grab rails or access ramps
• The assess safety in the homes of people with Low Vision 
• They proscribe aids to assist your mobility. Equipment prescription includes; dressing aid, sock aid, shower chair/stools, toilet seat raisers and other aids and equipment to enhance mobility
• They can provide strategies for coping with memory loss including; cognitive & sensory cueing, memory assistance, problem solving, education, provision of equipment and environmental adaptations
• Chronic Disease Management
• OTs incorporate activity modification techniques into daily activities such as work simplification, energy conservation and continence management

Exercise Physiology (EPs)

EPs deliver clinical exercises and health modification programs to support your independence and wellbeing.

These can:

• Increase mobility and strength (reducing the risk of falls)
• Support your breathing and manage chronic conditions
• Increase your confidence
• Assist you to maintain and strengthen your capacity to continue your activities of daily living and social engagement
• Maximise your general health and well being
• Rehabilitation after an injury, accident or surgery

Up & About Exercise Program

Up & About is a 12-week program of individually tailored exercises and health education in a group setting.

Exercise has been shown to give significant benefits to people of all ages, in pain reduction, increased muscle strength, improved physical function, balance and wellbeing. All participants in these classes receive an individual health assessment conducted by one of our Accredited Exercise Physiologists and a tailored exercise program to suit their personal needs and abilities.

Classes are held weekly in each region and include exercise and information sessions on a range of health topics such as understanding diabetes, nutrition and falls prevention.

At the end of the 12 weeks participants receive a final health assessment to measure the changes and benefits experienced. Participants may then choose to participate in the Up & Running Program.

The two twelve-week programs are available through the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP), however there is a small client contribution for each assessment and class. Classes are available for private clients and those clients who have completed the subsidised programs and wish to continue privately.

Dietitian Services

Dietitians can help with diabetes, heart disease, malnutrition, obesity, anaemia, liver disease, allergies and kidney disease.

They can:

• Provide information on healthy eating, shopping for food, eating out and preparing food at home
• Provide tailored advice to assist with the prevention and management of many medical conditions
• Provide individual consults involving diet and lifestyle assessments
• Provide nutritional education and counselling
• Develop personalised eating plans that consider medical conditions and personal circumstances
• Undertake nutrition and food research

Social Work

Social Workers support people who are undergoing difficulty or change.

Care Forward Social Workers are qualified to help you with many things, including:

• Counseling
• Planning and goals
• Skills training
• Linkages to Services
• Adjustment to change and loss
• Advocacy
• Stress management
• Group therapy / skill building
• Assistance with Housing and entering Care
• Working with families and carers

Subsidised allied health services are available through the Commonwealth Home Support Program (including the Home Independence Program), Tasmanian Home and Community Care (including the Post Hospital Program), and Support at Home. Private services are also available. Medicare will fund these services if you are referred by your GP via a GP Management plan or Team Care arrangements. You may also be eligible to claim from your health insurance fund.

At Care Forward we work hard to serve Tasmanians wherever they live, however, a lack of workers or associate providers (contractors) in some rural/remote areas may mean we are unable to provide services to those areas.