Aged care residents have right to more quality years

Aged care residents have right to more quality years

Physiotherapy New Zealand is asking residential care operators to improve their residents’ quality of life by employing or contracting physios.

“What some providers don’t realise is physios can actually cut their costs and make their facilities much more appealing by helping residents to be more mobile and independent,” says Gill Stotter, President of Physiotherapy New Zealand (PNZ).

In time for the International Day of Older Persons (1 October), PNZ has released a new information guide ‘Physiotherapy in Residential Care: adding quality years’ and has written to residential care providers explaining the difference physios can make to residents’ lives.

“When residents are mobile and independent then fewer nursing and nurse aide hours are required. There’s less heavy lifting, and helping residents is easier and more pleasant.”

“Physiotherapy education can show staff how to move and handle residents without injuring themselves or the residents, so the benefits are two-fold.”

“Physios can also improve staff health and safety by analysing their tasks and assessing their risks.”

The new guide gives examples of physiotherapy changing residents’ lives by preventing falls, safe moving and handling, help with continence, pain management, safe exercise for those with long-term health conditions, managing dementia and mental health problems, seating assessments, improving independence for stroke residents and reaching government health targets.

Ms Stotter says that all of these reduce interruptions, accidents and costs.

The PNZ information guide, Physiotherapy in Residential Care – adding quality years offers evidence and detail, on www.physiotherapy.org.nz.

ENDS

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