In this episode, Michelle speaks with hand therapist Sarah Holdman about how hand therapy supports older adults to maintain independence, manage chronic conditions, and recover from injury. Sarah explains the role of hand therapists, common age-related changes that affect hand function, and practical strategies for prevention and rehabilitation.

Listeners will gain a clear understanding of how hand therapy can help with arthritis, fractures, nerve conditions, and everyday challenges like grip strength and fine motor control. Sarah also shares advice for carers, discusses therapy adaptations for people with dementia, and outlines how to access services, including Chronic Disease Management (CDM) plans and self-referral options.

In this episode:

• What hand therapists do
• Common hand and wrist injuries in older adults
• Impact of arthritis, osteoporosis, and reduced circulation
• How falls contribute to hand injuries
• Typical treatment plans for older adults
• Balancing rehabilitation with pain management
• Importance of education for patients and carers
• Adapting therapy for people with dementia or neurological conditions
• Early signs that someone may benefit from hand therapy
• Preventative therapy to maintain hand function
• Simple exercises and habits to protect hand health
• Access to hand therapy without a referral
• Eligibility for Chronic Disease Management (CDM) plans

Connect with Sarah Holdman:

• LinkedIn

Connect with Coral Wilkinson: 

• Instagram 
• LinkedIn 

Follow See Me Aged Care Navigators:

• See Me ACN website
• Facebook
• Instagram

More about Your Aged Care Compass podcast: 

Do you support an older loved one at home and you're ready to give up because it’s just too hard? Your Aged Care Compass is for you.

We're Coral and Michelle, the sisters behind our business, See Me Aged Care Navigators.

Coral is a registered nurse with over 30 years’ experience in both health and aged care. A former assessor with the aged care assessment team, an advocate and author, there’s not much Coral doesn’t know about Australia’s aged care system.

Michelle is a former pharmacist with over 30 years in the public health and private sectors of pharmacy. Michelle is the client care manager for our business. 

Our story started as one of supporting our parents to remain in their own home, to be as independent as possible and remain connected to their community. When we eventually needed extra support, we achieved this because we know Australia’s aged care system so well. We knew what programs could assist us and our parents.

Your Aged Care Compass podcast brings together not only our personal experience in supporting our parents but also our vast professional experience in supporting other families to keep their loved ones at home. 

We'll help you makes sense of Australia’s aged care system and bring you topics related to ageing as well. Legal, financial, health, forward planning and more.

 Your Aged Care Compass will guide you clearly and compassionately to the right support at the right time for your ageing parents and loved ones. 

Like what you hear? Please leave us a rating and review. We’d love you to share this podcast with any friends or family who have older loved ones.

Mentioned in this episode:

Pharmacy Guild