How restorative care helped Mike* regain strength and confidence at home

As someone who describes himself as ‘not easily impressed’, Mike* is sparing with his praise.

So, when he describes the support and services he received through Resthaven’s Restorative Care Pathway as ‘amazing’ and having ‘made a real difference’, it carries genuine weight.

Mike was assessed as being eligible for a Restorative Care Pathway after a series of operations left him with lethargy and fatigue in 2025.

‘I was tired all the time, and I was suffering from neck and back stiffness and pain,’ Mike says. ‘It was suggested that I look into some home nursing visits, and following on from them, that’s how I was introduced to Resthaven’s services.’

Mike chose to take up his Restorative Care Package with Resthaven — a decision he now describes as ‘exceptional.’

A thorough start

Mike’s Restorative Care Pathway began with a comprehensive in-home assessment.

‘The initial assessment took a couple of hours,’ Mike says. ‘It was very thorough and really opened my eyes to the different things that were available.’

From there, Resthaven developed a tailored plan to address Mike’s specific needs. This included visits from a speech pathologist, physiotherapist, and remedial massage therapist, as well as help with maintenance, including cleaning of gutters, the installation of handrails in the bathroom and some carpentry to improve the function of the back door.

Mike says he is grateful for the home maintenance work, and the difference that has made to his ability to stay independent, but that the results from the physiotherapist and remedial massage therapist have been the most transformative.

‘My flexibility and mobility have increased significantly,’ Mike says. ‘The physiotherapist comes to the house once a week, and she is amazing. She started off very gently, but once she realised I was more capable, she upped it a bit.’

The exercises, he explains, are deceptively simple.

‘They’re things like throwing beanbags and moving from a seated position in the chair to standing upright,’ Mike says. ‘They’re fairly easy to do ten times — but once you do them 30 times, it’s a bit more effort,’ he laughs. ‘She’s discovered all the bits of my body that are not in good shape.’

Likewise, Mike has been impressed with the results of the work done by the remedial massage therapist.

‘I’d only ever had one massage before in my life,’ Mike says. ‘It was vaguely enjoyable. I thought another one might be nice. But the massage therapy is nothing like that.’

‘She’s been fantastic,’ Mike says of the remedial massage therapist who he is working with. ‘She’s discovered any number of spots in my body that I didn’t even know existed, and she has cured the stiffness in my neck, which is something I didn’t know was even possible. I didn’t expect miracles, but it has been amazing.’

These services and supports have contributed to a noticeable improvement in Mike’s overall wellbeing.

‘I feel much better — much less tired, with less lethargy,’ Mike says. ‘I certainly feel more flexible. Doing what looks like simple exercises really does get all the bits of my body moving.’

Advice for others

Mike says that many of the services included in his Restorative Care Package are not things he would have organised independently.

‘I probably thought I could do it on my own,’ Mike says. ‘But I’d say to anyone in a similar position: take the advice you are given and the services you are offered. It helps, and it works.’

So positive has his experience been that Mike plans to continue some services once his package concludes.

‘The physiotherapist — definitely!’ Mike says. ‘It’s hard to describe what I thought the package would be, but it was not what I have received. It really has been amazing. I’m really impressed by it all — and I’m not someone who is impressed easily.’

Restorative Care Pathways allow participants to access up to 16 weeks of restorative care. If you feel that you could benefit from a short-term Restorative Care Package, Resthaven can help you navigate the aged care system.

Simply call 1300 13 66 33 or visit your nearest Resthaven community office.

Learn more about the Restorative Care Pathway

*Name changed for privacy reasons.