Stronger together: Physiotherapist John brings strength and support to Resthaven clients
Celebrating and bringing together the allied health community, ‘Allied Health Professions Day’ is held annually on 14 October.
This year’s theme, ‘Stronger together’, highlights the benefits of multidisciplinary team-based care and recognises the importance of allied health professionals working alongside their nursing and medical colleagues to comprehensively support clients.
Resthaven Northern Community Services physiotherapist, John Niwa, has been working at Resthaven for just over two years. John says it was his own personal experience with managing pain that led him on the path to becoming a physiotherapist.
‘I had some pain and found that I was able to manage it effectively with exercise and activity,’ John says.
‘I’ve always found it interesting that some areas of the medical profession go straight for medication or surgery. It’s necessary in some cases, but exercise and movement can be a big help.’
John came into the profession as a mature-aged student after a career as a chef. He retrained at university and now enjoys working with older adults.
John works with clients 1:1 as well as in group hydrotherapy and general fitness classes. He sees people in the clinic, as well as visiting them in their homes.
‘I find it very rewarding when people start to notice improvement in their function – when they achieve something that, deep down, they thought was impossible,’ John says. ‘I try to make my sessions an enjoyable, social experience, as a lot of older adults can get lonely at times.’
Allied health services can support people as they age either directly through health education, massage, individual or group exercise; or indirectly, through positive social experiences, or challenging negative thought patterns or self-beliefs.
‘Our health system is changing in many ways for the better, with a bigger focus on preventative health and maintaining wellbeing,’ John says. ‘But, we have to be aware of our clients’ preconceptions of the health system. Often, I’ll inform clients about services that they had no idea about, so it’s a matter of asking lots of questions and exploring all options.’
Another piece of advice John offers is for older people to try and ‘age gracefully’.
‘Using a walker when you need help to maintain balance doesn’t make you older,’ John says. ‘It can often help improve your fitness, to the point where you might not need it long term.’
John says one of the main things people find surprising is how much people can improve their fitness in their older years.
‘Exercise isn’t something you outgrow,’ John says. ‘I have regular exercise clients aged in their 90s. One client is over 100, and until recently, she was very independent with her own home exercise program and going on long walks. You’re never too old to improve!’
Resthaven employs a range of allied health professionals across community and residential sites, such as physiotherapists, occupational therapists, podiatrists and speech pathologists. To find out more about these services in your area, visit the Resthaven website at www.resthaven.asn.au