Rik Dawson interviewed by Community Care Review

The article from Community Care Review highlights the increased risk of falls among older Australians due to reduced physical activity during COVID-19 lockdowns. 

Community Care Review interviewed Rik Dawson from Safe Exercise at Home to find out how this website is looking to address this issue through the offering of tailored exercise programs to help older people maintain strength and balance safely at home.

Key Takeaways:

• Increased fall risk: COVID-19 restrictions have led to decreased physical activity among older adults, raising the risk of falls due to diminished strength and balance.

• Safe Exercise at Home resource: A team of physiotherapists created a website providing three levels of exercises, catering to varying mobility levels, to help older individuals exercise safely at home.

• Role of carers: Carers are encouraged to support and motivate older adults in maintaining physical activity, liaising with physiotherapists to ensure exercises are appropriate and safe.

• Telehealth utilisation: Despite its potential, telehealth is underutilised in delivering personalised exercise programs to older people, with only about 5% of in-home care clients using it.

• Upcoming telehealth trial: Physiotherapist Rik Dawson plans to conduct a trial as part of his PhD to assess the safety and effectiveness of telehealth-delivered exercise programs for frail Australians over 65 on home care packages.

Click here to read the full article.