Make a difference to your patient's lives
Occupational Therapist, Julia Dayhew, offers a unique combination of evidence-based assessment and intervention to help your patients stay upright, balanced, and engage in life with confidence.
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Julia is based at Northern Rivers Health, Main St, Alstonville and referrals can be made directly by fax to 6678 0453.
Medicare (EPC), DVA, private health, aged care packages and NDIS payment methods accepted
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Julia is experienced in health promotion and behaviour change. She is passionate about empowering your patients to understand their risk factors and encourage change for better balance, optimal health and wellbeing.
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Please note that choosing language such as " better balance" and "supporting independence" is likely to motivate patients to attend rather than the term "falls prevention".
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78 Main St
Alstonville, NSW
Phone: 6628 0453
Fax: 6678 0453
Falls Prevention and Healthy Ageing Assessment
Julia utilises a unique combination of validated tools to assess fall risk factors such as balance, cognition, coordination, sensation, fear of falling, mental health, low contrast vision and lifestyle factors (e.g diet, physical activity, hydration, vit D, footwear, glasses habits, social connection etc).
A report is made available to GP's/ referring Specialists, after 2 sessions.
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Intervention for
Fear of Falling
(Risk factor for falls)
Fear of Falling is a risk factor for falls and Julia utilises a validated assessment tool (Icon - FES) to determine the score and greatest areas of concern. Awareness training and anxiety reduction strategies are utilised. Intervention to improve balance is offered to increase confidence and engagement in life.
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Balance intervention with dual tasking
Julia offers 1/2 hr cognitive - motor training sessions utilising the SmartStep exergaming tool which has been shown to reduce falls by up to 26%. (Designed by Dr Daina Sturnieks, NeuRA).
This tool utilises old style arcade games such as Tetris, Space Invaders, Toad Runner, and Pac Man to challenge motor skills while a person is making decisions, planning, remembering, controlling speed of movement, reaction time etc. A bluetooth mat is used and the feet are moved around the mat to act as the controllers for the game.
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Midlife
With a strong background in health promotion and an advocate for prevention, Julia is passionate about assisting people in mid-life to maximise their health and set goals and habits to age well. Once we reach 30 years of age, we lose muscle mass at a rate of 1% per year. Also, most people by the age of 50 recognise that their balance isn't as good as it used to be. Help your patients to get in early and make the changes which are relevant to maximising their independence in the future including preventing falls.
What the Experts Say
Professor Kim Delbaere BSA, MPT, M.Ed, PhD
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NHMRC Fellow
Senior Principal Research Scientist
Director, Innovation & Translation
Falls, Balance and Injury Research Centre, Neuroscience Australia
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President, Australian and New Zealand Fall Prevention Society plus more
Julia, I just want to express my heartfelt appreciation for the incredible work you've done as the NNSW LHD falls coordinator. Your dedication and passion for falls prevention has made a lasting impact on public health. Your decision to now focus on making a difference at an individual level is a testament to your unwavering commitment to transforming lives. Your drive to bring about meaningful change is both inspiring and commendable. As you move into this new chapter, I have no doubt that your expertise and dedication will continue to shine brightly. Kim