Physio can provide multiple benefits to those who require care services - Kirsty Page

Maintaining independence is also a priority for us. Despite this meaning the client may not need our services as much, keeping someone living in their own home is a top priority. We have also identified the need for physio support with some of our clients. Engaging the services of Dr Katherine Taylor, we now provide physiotherapy to any clients that could benefit from it, whether it is existing ailments or any concerns from relatives. Benefits of physio helps in so many ways, reducing the risk of falls, reducing pain levels and improving mobility. Whilst some services are available for this on the NHS, we can now offer it immediately and directly to clients in their own homes.

Dr Taylor has vast experience working with people with complex conditions, rehabilitation and falls, which has allowed her to develop extensive knowledge in assessment, goal setting and management of acute and chronic needs. Having this level of experience within the team means the whole team can benefit from her expertise.

It also means we can now provide support for anyone with chronic conditions such as neurological, cardiovascular, muscular dysfunction and orthopaedic/musculoskeletal. We can provide improved help for clients being moved from a hospital or care home, or to help them build up strength before having any surgery. Regaining mobility after hospitalisation is also important, or generally improving their mobility in their own home on a daily basis.

We see this as another extension of our business providing a range of services within the clients home, all of which contributes to their overall wellbeing. Once a client has received an initial assessment, the carers can help them build the exercises into their daily routine. It therefore adds another string to the bow of our carers and provides additional training for them. They also get more job satisfaction knowing that they are directly improving the lives of the people they are looking after. The fact that we ensure our clients are seen by the same carers also ensures consistency in the activities they do.

It is this focus on early-stage care that is so important. The benefits also extend beyond those to our clients. Improving pain concerns results in less medication needed, less trips to see the GP, so removing pressure off them. Fewer hospital admissions from falls, which is so common in the elderly, and often leads to them picking up other bugs and longer hospital stays. So direct benefits within the community and for the NHS.

We are also saving clients’ money longer term, because the more mobile someone is, the less carers and daily support they need. Someone who previously needed two carers at their visits can reduce this down to one, as they don’t need such hands-on support anymore. Our goal is improving people’s quality of life, ensuring they have the right level of care, but also giving them the independence most elderly people fear losing. One of the fears that often prevents someone accepting care in the first place.

It is a wise old saying that prevention is better than the cure and this certainly does apply to the care sector. Working with Dr Taylor, all our staff have now been trained and briefed on the benefits of physio and what to look out for. The overall advantage is that everyone on the team will benefit from greater knowledge of how people’s bodies function, reducing fall risks and increasing strength and endurance. Improving pain management for some clients is also a top priority.

We have certainly come a long way from the 15 minute visits my husband’s grandad received, which resulted in the creation of West Park Care to improve the type of care the elderly receive. With a background in social work, I have seen first-hand many of the challenges the care sector has and is still facing. People are living longer, and informal carers and families are needing support also. Providing the right level of care for an individual is absolutely key to them both keeping their independence and also enjoying life.

Care doesn’t have to be at crisis point, it can provide companionship and support and improve people’s quality of life. We are certainly hoping to change these perceptions and the feedback we receive from both clients and their families supports this.

Kirsty Page is head of service at West Park Care.