Wellness advice

There are many allied health professions, including physiotherapy, podiatry, speech pathology, exercise physiology, occupational therapy and dietetics. Allied health professionals are university qualified practitioners, who have specialised expertise in preventing, diagnosing and treating a range of conditions and illnesses. Our allied health practitioners work within a multidisciplinary health team to provide specialised support for different client needs.

Find out more about our allied health services.

Wellness involves practicing healthy habits regularly, so you can maintain good physical and mental health. Many areas of life have an impact on wellness, including social connectedness, exercise and nutrition, sleep quality, and mindfulness. We can support you in pursuing activities, choices and lifestyles that promote wellness in your life.

No referral is needed to access Helping Hand allied health services. Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to use CHSP, Home Care Package or Support at Home funding, or access services privately. Allied health support can be provided in your home, at Helping Hand Wellbeing Centres across Adelaide, or through selected regional services, including Thrive Health Centre in Port Pirie.

Next step: Contact Helping Hand to ask about allied health availability, funding options and appointments.

Helping Hand can help explore social group ideas that support connection, wellbeing and community participation. If you have an idea for a group, contact the team to discuss what is possible and how to get started.

Next step: Call Helping Hand on 1300 444 663 or read more about our current social groups here.

Finding the right age care service is really important. We created a podcast to help people do just that by providing information and advice from people both delivering and receiving quality age care.

In this episode of Age Old Problems: New Aged Care we get to the bottom of what an Occupational Therapist (OT) does and how they can help you to remain safe and independent in your own home.

Joining us with all the expertise is Amanda Bailey, Occupational Therapy Manager in Home Care at Helping Hand. Chatting with Kate she explains:

• What are the different allied health services available to older people at home?
• What is an OT, and what are the reasons someone might need one? What are the types of things an OT can help with around the home?
• Who is eligible for OT services at home, and how is it funded?
• How OT services can keep you living safely and independently at home for longer. Small changes can make a BIG difference.

No one likes to think about ageing, end-of-life or the worst-case scenario, but planning ahead is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself and your loved ones.

In this episode of our podcast Age Old Problems: New Age Care, we discuss Advance Care Planning – why it matters, how to start the conversation, and the peace of mind it brings.

Zara Freeman is a Palliative Care Nurse with Helping Hand and she spoke to host Kate Holland about the benefits of talking early and openly about your current and future care needs. She explains:

• Advance Care Planning: what it is and how beautiful the conversations can be
• The definition of an Advance Care Directive (ADC): how you can get one and who signs off on it
• The things to include in your ADC. Yes, songs for your funeral are a valid inclusion
• Benefits of planning for the individual (this includes nominating a substitute decision-maker in case of incapacity)
• Benefits of planning for the family (less guessing and decision making at a stressful time)
• Advice for getting the conversation started. (Relaxed and casual is good!)

Grief touches everyone differently but one thing is certain, it’s a natural and important part of change and loss.

Listen to our podcast to hear Helping Hand’s Coordinating Chaplain, Paul Hodgson, share how grief affects us both physically and emotionally, and how important it is to walk alongside those experiencing it. He talks about:

• The difference between grief and bereavement
• Common experiences after loss
• Ways to support someone who’s grieving
• Services and resources available through Helping Hand and beyond
• Why no one should have to grieve alone

Online and phone resources are always available as well:

24/7 telephone support
Lifeline 13 11 14
Beyond Blue 1300 224 636

Grief and bereavement counselling and support services
Griefline – 1300 845 745 8am to 8pm, 7 days (AEST)
Beyond Blue – 1300 224 636

Yes. Nursing services may be available at home depending on your needs, funding and eligibility. A nurse can support wound care, medication management, continence, health checks, blood pressure monitoring, recovery after illness and other clinical needs. Nursing at home can help older people avoid unnecessary travel, stay safe at home and support carers with practical health needs.

Next step: Contact Helping Hand to discuss nursing services and whether they can be accessed through your home care funding.

From group programs to home visits, exercise physiologists are helping clients reach meaningful goals, whether it’s improving balance to prevent falls, maintaining memory, or simply getting back to everyday routines.

In this episode of our podcast Age Old Problems: New Aged Care, we sit down with Harry Beresford, the Exercise Physiology Manager in Home Care at Helping Hand. In conversation with host Kate Holland, he explains:

• What Exercise Physiologists (EPs) do and how they differ from physios
• How EPs support recovery and independence at home
• The benefits people might be missing, like getting back to watering the garden
• Common goals, questions, and success stories from real clients

Tune in to understand more about how Allied Health could support you or a loved one.

It’s estimated that more than 400,000 Australians are living with dementia. While everyone’s experience is unique, there are some early signs to watch for. In this episode of our podcast Age Old Problems: New Aged Care, Helping Hand’s Tanya McIver shares what dementia is, how to recognise early changes, starting the conversation with loved ones, and where to find support.