Fit for Life Therapists

Physiotherapy

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Physiotherapy involves evaluating, diagnosing and treating a range of injuries, disorders and disabilities in order to optimize the person’s mobility and functional capacity. Our chartered physiotherapists are graduate level healthcare practitioners specializing in the assessment and treatment of musculoskeletal, neurological, orthopaedic, respiratory and cardiac conditions. They provide a broad range of assessment and therapy services specifically developed for the older adult population.

Physiotherapy Services Include:

• Individual Physiotherapy appointments at our Sandyford Clinic

• Individual Physiotherapy Home Visits: Our Physio’s travel to you and provide tailored physiotherapy to you in your own home.

*All of these services are carried out by Chartered Physiotherapists, members of the I.S.C.P.

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Occupational Therapy

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Occupational Therapy is designed to promote health, prevent injury or disability and develops, improves or sustains an individual’s level of independence.

​The most common referrals for our OT services include:

• Seating and pressure relief
• Positioning and the prevention of contractures
• Assisting activities of daily living (ADL’s) e.g. showering, eating, correct use of aids
• Recommendations for environmental changes to assist ADL’s

Occupational Therapy Services Include:

• Individual Occupational Therapy appointments at our Sandyford Clinic
• Individual Occupational Therapy Home Visits: Our OT’s travel to you and provide tailored occupational therapy to you in your own home.
• Falls Risk Assessments

*All of these services are carried out by Occupational Therapists, members of the AOTI (Assoc. of Occupational Therapists of Ireland).

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Physical Therapy

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Physical Therapy is a healthcare profession which involves the treatment or management of pain, disability and impaired movement by means of massage, myofascial techniques, joints mobilizations and exercise therapy.

Our Physical Therapists are graduate level healthcare practitioners, who work to restore full normal movement and to reduce or eliminate pain resulting from injury, infirmity and from medical conditions. Physical Therapy appointments are available for you at our Sandyford Clinic or in your own home.

*All of these services are carried out by Physical Therapists, members of the IAPT (Irish Assoc. of Physical Therapists).

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Athletic Rehabilitation Therapy

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A Certified Athletic Rehabilitation Therapist (ARTC) is a graduate level (BSc, level 8 NFQ) healthcare practitioner specializing in musculoskeletal management, exercise-based rehabilitation and fitness. This therapist specializes in evidence-based assessment, treatment and advanced rehabilitation of musculoskeletal conditions.

Your Athletic Rehabilitation Therapist will complete a comprehensive assessment of your presenting condition and contributing factors. This may include physical tests for range of motion, strength and specific special tests of the involved body parts as appropriate. Your ARTC will then develop, implement, review and progress a treatment and rehabilitation plan with you.

Your treatment plan may include manual therapies such as massage, myofascial/soft tissue release techniques, trigger point dry needling, joint mobilizations; and/or electro or thermotherapies or taping techniques. And it will almost definitely include a home rehabilitation and exercise program which may focus on developing strength, range of motion, improving your balance and decreasing your falls risk! We can arrange an appointment for you with our Certified Athletic Rehabilitation Therapists in your own home.

*All of these services are carried out by Certified Athletic Rehabilitation Therapists, members of A.R.T.I. (Athletic Rehabilitation Therapy Ireland) and BASRAT (British Assoc. of Sports Rehabilitators & Trainers).

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Alzheimer’s and Related Dementia: Group and Individual Exercise Therapy

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We have developed programmes that are suitable for varying levels of cognitive impairment. Our aims and goals improve physical function, reducing the risk of falls and improving mood and levels of agitation. We introduce equipment with our programmes that have very positive results with this population, creating socially engaging environments, and positive stimulation.

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We introduce programmes that combine endurance exercise, functional exercise and social games. What is important is that our therapists know the clients and provide meaningful activities that ensure a person-centered intervention. Thus, providing a specific session to the client’s needs and abilities.

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Using this approach and having flexible programmes that can be adapted when required our therapists have the experience and know how to consistently deliver effective and engaging programmes.

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Individual Falls Risk Assessments

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We support clients, nurses, home carers and families with assessments to help identify risk factors that increase a person’s risk of falls. Our therapists organise an appointment which involves a comprehensive review of the client, including a falls history, physical functional ability, medications and possible psychological risk factors (Fear of Falling).

With knowledge that falls are one of the leading causes of injury to an older adult and subsequent reduced quality of life, we aim to provide best practice interventions to reduce the risk of falls.

Post assessment, an accurate, informative and educational handover to allied healthcare professionals and carers is essential to maximise the effectiveness of the action plans indicated.

Duration: 1-3 hours depending on complexity of the assessment.

Results/Benefits:

• Multifactorial assessment following best practice guidelines (NICE)
• Comprehensive report and handover compiled outlining appropriate interventions and actions plans identified
• Specific falls prevention education plans developed with client/carer/family
• Maximizes the likelihood of a reduction in falls

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Complex People Manual Handling Assessments

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Our senior patient handling experts provide support for complex people manual handling cases. They have expertise in bariatric profiles in particular, for bed handling and repositioning. There is a larger number of complex handling cases being observed by our experts in relation to bariatric and dementia care.

Outline: One of our senior experts comes and assesses the complex task you have referred.

Duration: Approx 2 hours

Results/Benefits:

• Consultant expert support and advice on complex handling tasks
• Decreased risk of injury for client, carer & family member

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Bed, Bedrails and Mattresses prescription

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One area that is a source of great expense and importance to clients is the sourcing and prescription of beds and mattresses. Our team have been trained to the highest standard in order to advise you on the correct bed and mattress types appropriate for the diverse and complex nature of client presentations.

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In relation to beds, it is imperative to have the correct types of mattress and bed for your comfort. And it is vital for carers and family members to be able to perform manual handling as easily and safely as possible. It is important that you have a bed that can operate at the appropriate height for comfort, to promote independence, for care provision, and transfers.

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This principle carries through with mattresses whereby prescribing the correct mattresses is imperative to those clients with previous pressure area breakdowns. In addition, the type of mattress prescribed for a client can determine the ease or lack of ease of positioning and repositioning in the bed.

​Outline: We can provide you with expert advice in these areas so that you are buying high quality beds and mattresses appropriate to cater for you regardless of their size, medical conditions or dependency levels.

Results/Benefits:

• Unbiased expert opinion on appropriate beds/mattresses to purchase ensuring no additional costs down the line. We review a variety of equipment providers and are independent from them, so can offer unbiased advise.
• Alleviate the possibility of any injury or entrapment for clients
• Reducing the possibility of pressure sores (in conjunction with best practice manual handling)
• Reduction in patient handling time
• Reduction in work related injuries for carers and family members

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People Manual Handling Equipment

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Our manual handling experts are constantly upskilling with new best practice manual handling techniques using the most effective equipment available to ensure that any form of ‘lifting’ is a thing of the past.

Outline: We provide reports and recommendations and sourcing on equipment such as;

• Hoists & Standing Aids
• Slings
• Sliding sheets inclusive decisions on bed systems such as: Single sheets, Tubular sheets, In bed sheet systems
• Handling belts
• Repositioning aids – Bed and Chair
• Pressure cushions

Results/Benefits:

• Unbiased expert opinion on appropriate equipment required
• Training can be provided to maximise the efficiency in the use of equipment
• Reduction in staffing levels for manual handling
• Reduction in work related injuries due to the availability and ease of use of appropriate equipment

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