THE BETTER BALANCE PROJECT

The Better Balance Project aims to assist GPs to better manage patients at increased risk of falls. This project encourages GPs to refer these patients to Exercise Physiologists for tailored physical activity programs under GP Management Plans and Team Care Arrangements.

Target Population:

  •  65 years and older

  • Complex and chronic conditions

  • Increased risk of falls

  • Eligible for GP Management Plans

What is proposed:

o Patients are referred under GPMP/TCA arrangements to an Exercise Physiologist

o Patients will have up to 5 services with an Accredited Exercise Physiologist and will undergo a physical activity program designed to reduce falls risk over 24 weeks

o The patient will be assessed for falls risk at 0, 12 and 24 weeks with reports being sent back to the GP.

o On completion of the project, patients can continue with the Exercise Physiologist at a reduced fee, can exercise at home or attend an appropriate community based program to maintain reduced falls risk

Referral Process:

1. Identify eligible patients (ie. Patients aged 65 and over with a complex/chronic condition).

2. Refer to an Exercise Physiologist

3. Implement a GP Management Plan & Team Care Arrangement (item 721 & 723), allocating up to 5 occasions of service to the selected Exercise Physiologist or refer under DVA arrangements

4. Complete the referral form for the Better Balance Project and fax directly to the Exercise Physiologist. The referral form is available in Medical Director or Profile by contacting Lauren at IDGP on  4226 7052.

 

KEEPING UP PROJECT

This project encourages GPs to refer people with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)  to Exercise Physiologists to improve both self management skills and risk of falls. People with CKD are at increased risk of falls, and the impact of these falls on their health can be profound. People living with CKD have increased risk of osteoporosis, sarcopenia and perturbations of blood pressure, all of which influence the risk of falls and their sequelae.

Target Population:

  • Patients with CKD but not yet on Dialysis

  • Increased risk of falls

  • Eligible for a GP Management Plan

What is proposed:

o Patients are referred under GPMP/TCA arrangements to an Exercise Physiologist

o Patients will have up to 5 services with an Accredited Exercise Physiologist and will undergo a physical activity program designed to reduce falls risk over 24 weeks

o The patient will be assessed for falls risk at 0, 12 and 24 weeks with reports being sent back to the GP.

o On completion of the project, patients can continue with the Exercise Physiologist at a reduced fee, can exercise at home or attend an appropriate community based program to maintain reduced falls risk

Referral Process:

As above for the Better Balance Project.

Please contact Andrew Richardson at the University of Wollongong on 0419028581, Lauren Hickson at IDGP on 4226 7052 or your local Exercise Physiologist for further details.