Lady Davidson Private Hospital enhances senior care with new falls clinic
Drs Lulu Ma and Hannah Shin reveal the benefits of the clinic’s multidisciplinary approach offering specialised care to prevent falls and improve quality of life.
Lady Davidson Private Hospital has launched a specialised outpatient Falls Clinic to address one of the most pressing health concerns for seniors – falls and their related injuries.
Despite research showing 50% of falls are preventable, more than one in four older people fall each year and falls are a leading cause of injury – often resulting in serious consequences such as fractures and loss of independence.
Geriatrician Dr Lulu Ma says the introduction of Lady Davidson Private Hospital’s Falls Clinic, underscores its dedication to senior healthcare, reinforcing its role as a leading provider of specialised services in the region.
“We developed The Falls Clinic to offer targeted interventions using a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals,” says Dr Ma. “It brings together a team with a rehabilitation specialist, a geriatrician, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and other health professionals to create individualised programs for those who have fallen or are at risk of falling.”
“The program aims to reduce falls, particularly in older adults and those with neurological disorders and includes comprehensive medical reviews, targeted exercise and educational components.”
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Dr Ma, an esteemed fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians in Geriatric Medicine, says the team works collaboratively to assess each patient’s risk of falling and to develop personalised care plans aimed at preventing falls.
Rehabilitation Specialist Dr Hannah Shin, who has an interest in neurological disorders and osteoporosis management, says the Falls Clinic also addresses fracture prevention, pain management, nutrition and fear of falling.
The multidisciplinary team includes:
- Rehabilitation doctors, Geriatricians and Pain specialists
- Occupational Therapists
- Physiotherapists
- Psychologists
- Rehabilitation Nurses
- Clinical Pharmacists
- Dietitians
- Social Workers.
“The assessment process includes a thorough review of the patient’s medical history, physical examinations, and evaluations of mobility, balance, and strength,” she adds, “What sets us apart is the close collaboration between rehabilitation and aged care expertise. If we detect memory concerns, neurological symptoms or other medical contributors to falling, we have the skills in the clinic to address those issues, as well as a close network of local specialists to refer to if needed.”
Outpatients, on average, attend the clinic twice weekly for six weeks and benefit from a range of services, including balance and strength training, weight-bearing exercises, home safety assessments and medication reviews from clinical pharmacists.
They can also be directly admitted to Lady Davidson Hospital for more intensive rehabilitation.
“By identifying and addressing the factors that contribute to falls, we aim to reduce the risk of falls and injury and help our patients maintain their independence longer,” surmises states Dr Shin.
Lady Davidson Private Hospital is one of the largest private rehabilitation hospitals in Australia. It won Most Outstanding Health Improvement Services and Business of the Year in last year’s Local Business Awards.
FIVE TIPS
To prevent falls and action to take if feeling at risk
- Visit your GP to explore whether medications are causing falls or instability
- Get screened for Osteoporosis
- Have your eyes and ears checked as vision and hearing are big factors in spatial awareness. Wearing bifocals while walking can increase your risk of falling
- Do strength and balance Exercises – Staying Active and on your feet is a great resource
- Get referred to your local falls clinic for assessment
For more information about how day rehabilitation can help you, get in touch today. Phone (02) 9488 0193 or email ldv.dayprogram@healthscope.com.au
