Allied Health services go mobile

24 March 2017

24 Mar 2017

In a Victorian first, Villa Maria Catholic Homes (VMCH) will launch its ‘STAY’ bus this Autumn.

This unique mobile initiative will support seniors in regional Victoria by bringing allied health and therapeutic services directly to them. It aims to assist clients who are housebound, frail, deconditioned or in pain and are unable to visit a clinic or therapist.

“In some regional areas timely access to a range of Allied Health services can be a challenge,” says

Jo-Ann Petersen, VMCH Operations Manager of Allied Health and Nursing for Community Services.

“The mobile service is an innovative way to address this issue. Services delivered from the bus can also be tailored to address the needs of individual clients.”

The STAY bus has been fully fitted with equipment to enable physiotherapy, remedial massage and podiatry services. A team of professional therapists will travel with the bus and deliver their particular service to pre-booked clients with the appropriate equipment.

The mobile service is an extension of the VMCH Rehabilitation Program (Day Therapy Centre) – a highly respected centre that has been operating in Melbourne’s east since 1979. The centre offers a variety of allied health services including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology, dietetics, remedial massage and podiatry. Allied health services are also delivered to some of VMCH’s residential and retirement living facilities.

“The STAY bus is one more example of our organisation’s commitment to meeting the health needs of clients not just in Melbourne but in regional centres around Victoria,” says Heather Catherwood, VMCH General Manager of Community Services.

“It will bring professional allied health services to the client’s ‘doorstep’, whether that is in their home, a retirement village, aged care facility, community centre or church hall. We want to deliver flexible, person-centred services which focus on wellness and reablement.”

The bus will also offer information and advice to clients on how to manage their health conditions and improve their overall wellbeing. Solutions for safe and independent living at home and the provision of assistive equipment will be part of the service.

The VMCH STAY bus will hit the road this Autumn. Shepparton will be its first stop, and other regional centres will follow as client need and community interest is identified.

LEARN MORE

For more details on the new allied health bus call 1300 919 850

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Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) Scheme

All about care management services

Understanding the Single Assessment System for Aged Care

SAH: Services and pricing

SAH: Classification and funding changes

SAH: Participant contributions

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Acknowledgement of Country

We here at VMCH respectfully acknowledge the traditional owners of the lands on which we gather, and we would like to take a moment to honour the fact that we live on the lands of the oldest civilisation in the world. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and wisdom of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and pay our respects to their elders past, present and emerging.