Older Australians in remote and regional areas can now access virtual allied health services in the comfort of their own home through Virtual Restorative Care (VRC).

Developed by the HammondCare Restorative Care team, the VRC program is available to anyone on a HomeCare package who requires allied health services remotely.

HammondCare Health and Palliative Care General Manager Andrew Montague said the VRC program was launched after recognising clients in regional and remote areas were disadvantaged.

“The Restorative Care Team recognised a problem with these clients having access to timely, affordable, high-quality allied health services.

“This is a case of innovative thinking improving the quality of life for disadvantaged people with health needs.

“[We were] motivated to find a way to deliver allied health interventions to individuals living in remote towns and those isolated due to COVID.”

Through the VRC program, a client consultation is completed via a virtual platform, a simple tablet or mobile phone, by an experienced allied health professional in the Restorative Care Team.

During the consult, the client is aided in their own home by the presence of their care manager, who can assist in navigating technology or completing required measurements for home modifications.

“Physiotherapists deliver consults to clients in their homes by enlisting the help of carers, family, and friends present in the home as our ‘allied health assistants’ to help with the technology, take measurements or give us a tour of the home.”

A typical virtual physiotherapy consult starts with a MS Teams call, which discusses the client’s goals, followed by activities, measurements and a virtual home tour to assess equipment requirements.

“We start the exercise program setup under negotiation and careful instructions with the client and their family.

“The consult is completed with a run-through of every exercise with our newly trained ‘allied health assistant’ to check on safety.

“We follow up soon after with a written exercise program and future appointments sent to their email.”

Physiotherapists make clients and their carers, family, and friends feel involved and comfortable over videoconference, says Mr Montague.

“The families appreciate being able to get the information they need, direct from the expert, and they also learn a bit about physio too.

“The clients love the convenience of doing the consults at home, and it’s much cheaper than paying someone to travel to them from a bigger town.

“This means they can spend their Home Care Package funds on other things they need that make their life easier or more enjoyable.”