Lifecare stories: Life after an accident

A fall at home very suddenly changed Shirley’s life.

She was in hospital for nearly half a year receiving care before beginning her rehabilitation at home.

Her injury had affected her mobility, and her stability when she was on her feet. This meant she was unable to attend clinic-based rehabilitation appointments.

At this challenging time, she has participated in a home-based program with Jarrad through Lifecare Homecare.

Lifecare Homecare provides in-home physiotherapy, occupational therapy, podiatry, exercise physiology and lymphoedema services to the Perth metropolitan area and surrounds.

Bringing physiotherapy and other services to the home provides people who are injured, experiencing illness or living with disability with the ability to access appropriate support services.

As part of Homecare, Jarrad travels out to his patients like Shirley, who can’t make it to a clinic.

It also gives patients like Shirley a safe and comfortable environment to complete their therapy in.

“When I came home from hospital, I needed follow-up physio, and my support coordinator at the time found Jarrad, and we just clicked from day one” Shirley said.

Communication is the foundation of Shirley and Jarrad’s great relationship.

In the time they have worked together, Shirley has come to feel how much care Jarrad takes in her rehabilitation, and how he shares in her successes.

“I came out to see Shirley and we started it off – a great long-lasting relationship that’s now been ongoing for six years” Jarrad said.

Communication is especially important for Jarrad, particularly when it comes to patients receiving and understanding diagnoses.

“Going through and explaining it to them gives them ownership of their own condition” Jarrad said.

He’s working with Shirley on a walking program focusing on strength and endurance.

“I wasn’t just a patient” Shirley said.

“There was a lot of talking between us, he would explain the purpose of doing exercises and where it was going to lead to.”

“I just feel more positive because I’m involved in my own care.”