Vivir Healthcare has joined an innovative project to make evidence-based service improvements, to people with dementia and their families.
Vivir is partnering with Flinders University in Adelaide, for the Agents of Change project. It is a nationwide study funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), that will support outstanding clinicians working with people with dementia, to implement innovative service improvements. Clinicians will learn how to best promote independence, delay functional decline, and reduce carer stress using evidence-based exercise techniques.
Jean Tung, physiotherapist and Clinical Education Manager, has joined the Agents of Change study to further develop her skills in the delivery of evidence-based exercise therapy for people living with dementia. Jean started as a new graduate physiotherapist with Vivir 6 years ago and worked as a team leader before commencing her role as leader of Clinical Education.
Over the next 18 months, Jean will participate in a structured professional development program, to identify areas for innovation in the organisation and develop a plan to make change happen. She will join a Quality Improvement Collaborative with a diverse group of other clinicians across Australia to learn and share ideas.
“Through my experience as a gerontology physiotherapist, I have noticed that people living with dementia are not routinely encouraged to exercise, or referred for exercise therapy. Physiotherapists are dynamic and influential members in aged care teams. They are best positioned to be advocates of change, to achieve better and meaningful outcomes for this population. I am extremely excited to collaborate with researchers and other allied health clinicians and spread this knowledge to the aged care providers we partner with.”
– Jean Tung, Clinical Education Manager, Vivir Healthcare
The work that Jean will do in the Agents of Change project will expand the allied health services and supports that Vivir offers to its elderly residents and community clients with dementia. These efforts will further establish Vivir Healthcare as leaders in dementia care amongst Australian aged care allied health providers.
“Aged care providers must shift from traditional service delivery models, to models which place the wellness of older Australians, at the centre of care. With more people demanding flexible, tailored and person-centred services, early adopters of these services will remain competitive within the industry. We are looking forward to sharing our knowledge with aged care providers and facilitate more allied health services with a difference.”
– Alyssa Borja, Clinical Services Manager, Vivir Healthcare
Questions about the Agents of Change project can be directed to Jean Tung at jean@vivir.com.au or study coordinator (Flinders University) Monica Cations at monica.cations@flinders.edu.au.
If you’d like to learn more about Vivir’s allied health services, please contact us on 1300 184 847.