Allied health to assist with the ageing experience
There are many allied health services that work within the aged care sector which are vital to improving or maintaining the health and well-being of older people receiving aged care services or in the community.
![Allied health professionals can provide vital health and wellbeing services that are very beneficial to older people. [Source: Shutterstock]](https://agedcareguide-assets.imgix.net/news/articles/wp/25_10_2021-Allied-Health.jpg?fm=pjpg&w=700&format=auto&q=65)
Allied health professionals can provide vital health and wellbeing services that are very beneficial to older people. [Source: Shutterstock]
Key points:
- Allied health is a vital part of aged care that works in both the community and in residential aged care settings
- Older people can receive great health benefits from accessing allied health services
- While allied health services a broad range of people and groups, some professionals focus specifically on the aged care sector
Allied health encompasses a variety of different health services that can build and support the capabilities of older people.
Professionals in allied health will already be involved with older people in the community at their practices but these services can also be provided within aged care facilities or in the home.
The government is recognising allied health services as more vital for the health and wellbeing of older people in aged care. In this Aged Care Guide, we give an overview of some of the key allied health professionals supporting older people in aged care.
Psychologists and social workers
Aged care residents can greatly benefit from mental health professionals since mental health issues are likely to affect many older people including people with dementia.
Moving into residential aged care facilities can bring a sense of loss of independence or control, which can develop into moderate depression and anxiety.
People with dementia are also more likely to experience mental health conditions due to the symptoms of their cognitive disease.
Psychologists can work with an older person and coordinate services that may benefit the well-being of their client with the healthcare teams of the service provider.
Mental health professionals can prescribe a range of social interactions or therapies, plus provide an objective and unbiased ear to their clients.
Similarly, a social worker provides support to people during a time of crisis and can provide practical and emotional support, and counselling to older people.
In some instances, social workers can direct a client to access government housing services, relevant Centrelink entitlements and provide basic financial assistance if necessary.
To learn more about mental health services in aged care, read this Aged Care Guide: mental health services for older people in aged care.
Audiologists
As we age, hearing tends to worsen and make communication difficult. It can be quite a loss to an older person and greatly impact their well-being — not being able to clearly communicate can affect the care you receive in aged care if you can’t express your needs.
Audiologists are experts in linguistics and communication and any resulting impairments, as well as balance issues that may arise from ear problems.
Generally, audiologists will provide services to older people in the way of hearing aids and assist with ear infections and hearing loss.
Many older Australians have hearing check-ups once a year to determine any hearing loss and their overall ear health. This can be an important check-up to have regularly to ensure you can keep your hearing for longer.
Optometrists and orthoptists
Eye care specialists provide valuable services to older people, especially as your vision may start to fail as you age.
Everything from eye health, glasses and contacts, or occlusion therapy, eye specialists can make sure your quality of life remains the same through good eye health practices.
Optometrists and orthoptists are different in terms of what service they can provide. Optometrists can detect any issues in vision, for example, signs of injuries, diseases or other issues. They also provide advice and can prescribe glasses or move you on for further treatments.
Orthoptists have a lot more knowledge about the inner workings of the eye and provide specialised care for more difficult eye issues or treatments.
For older Australians, orthoptists would be best able to check for age-related macular degeneration and other medical conditions that affect the eyes, as well as treatment for these conditions.
Podiatrists
A podiatrist is an allied health service that concerns feet, including diagnosis, treatment and prevention of foot diseases and illnesses.
Podiatry spans a range of diverse areas, including children, sportspeople, or in the case of older people — aged care.
Podiatrists may visit a person at home or in residential aged care, however, some clients may need to travel to a clinic to visit their podiatrist for treatment.
Older Australians rely on podiatrists for many different aspects, including general foot health, diabetes-related care or prevention of wound infections.
Since being able to stand on your feet is an important component of walking, older people require healthy feet to remain mobile and stay independent.
Podiatrists look for and care for any skin changes in older feet, pressure areas, nail changes, changing capability and movement, foot changes in shape or appearance, different walking patterns and gait changes or any foot pain.
Physiotherapists
Physiotherapy can provide great benefits to many people, including seniors, in terms of recovering from a physical injury or maintaining mobility.
Some physiotherapists’ favourite saying is ‘if you don’t use it, you lose it,’ which is incredibly true for an older person as you are more likely to lose skills or abilities if you don’t do them regularly — especially if daily tasks become painful or difficult.
Accessible in a clinic, at the hospital, within your nursing home or visiting your own home, physiotherapists make themselves available in a variety of settings.
Older residents in aged care tend to receive massage and manipulation treatment among other types of things, like group exercise classes.
Physiotherapists are also able to assess older people and create treatment plans for any injuries, pain management and more.
Occupational therapists
An occupational therapist can be of great assistance to an elderly person through rehabilitation-like services that can help regain any loss of functions or abilities, help improve current abilities or social engagement and assist older people to remain independent for as long as possible.
Occupational therapists often work within residential aged care settings or in the community. Older people can struggle with balance, memory, vision and hearing loss, whether they are age-related or because of cognitive diseases.
Some helpful services an occupational therapist can provide include creating a safe space at home or assistance and education around the use of mobility aids or equipment.
Additionally, maintaining mobility and function, with the help of occupational therapists, can reduce a person’s fall risk.
Arts and/or music therapist/ diversional therapist
Music and art therapists can provide holistic and well-being services to older Australians at home or, more likely, in residential aged care homes.
Utilising craft, music or art can help older people reduce any stress and anxiety, provide a sense of joy and purpose, as well as boost the moods of residents.
Music therapy has been known to have great benefits for individuals with dementia.
Allowing older people to explore their creativity can provide an opportunity for them to express themselves.
Diversional therapists usually work with older people or people with dementia, providing a range of activities to keep them engaged and connected.
They can organise activity programs or group outings, and also manage respite programs in aged care facilities.
The service focuses not only on physical health but mental health as well, including any holistic needs.
To find out more about this topic, read about diversional therapy in aged care.
Dietitians
Aged care dietitians are experts in nutrition and are able to organise meal programs inclusive of individuals with dietary requirements or food modifications.
Food is an important part of the human experience, especially for older people who are likely to lose their sense of taste and smell as they get older.
Creating appetising but nutritious food is incredibly important so that older people are encouraged to eat well and remain healthy.
Often, aged care facilities will have dietitians review their menus every so often to keep food interesting and appropriate for their residents, whereas some meal services in the community aim to provide nutritious meals to clients living at home.
Dietitians can also create food and nutrition plans for older people who have health problems and need a changed diet.
To read more about nutrition for older people, visit this Aged Care Guide: the importance of nutrition for older Australians.
Speech pathologists
Older people can develop communication and swallowing problems, also known as dysphagia as they grow older, which a speech pathologist will be able to assist with.
Issues like dysphagia affect around 50 percent of older people in aged care, and it is vital these problems are corrected, otherwise it can lead to injury, malnutrition or even death.
Conditions like dementia or strokes can have a huge effect on memory, speech and language, which can impact an older person’s ability to communicate with others.
Speech pathologists can assess a person for communication and swallowing difficulties and provide management and treatment plans for aged care home workers to follow.
They can prescribe special strategies and exercises for an individual to assist with swallowing problems or even make changes to their diet to assist with eating safely.
For more information about speech pathologists’ role in aged care, read about the role of speech pathology in aged care.
What allied health service would you benefit from while receiving aged care services?
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