Hwan’s story

He had soreness in his knees, hips and back, as well as neck pain that caused headaches and migraines. As a result, he found that he was going out less and the isolation was getting him down. He especially missed visiting his old workplace. 

Hwan contacted My Aged Care to organise an aged care assessment to discuss what aged care services could support him. He told the assessor about his needs, including his pain and how much he missed going out like he used to. 

Hwan received a Notice of Decision letter that confirmed he was approved for the Restorative Care Pathway. This included funding for assistive technology.  

Once Hwan found a provider that he was comfortable with, he worked together with his restorative care partner to develop a goal plan in line with the services he was approved for. It included remedial massages by an accredited health professional, some transport vouchers to get him out and about, an exercise physiologist who recommended exercises, and an assessment with a physiotherapist who organised a walker with a seat to help with walking longer distances.  

Hwan used the transport vouchers to visit the exercise physiologist, physiotherapist, and remedial massage therapist regularly. After an initial assessment, he began a treatment plan with regular exercise, soft tissue therapy and physiotherapy. Over 12 weeks of care, Hwan found the strengthening exercises and physiotherapy helped his knees and joints, while regular massages improved his pain and movement. When Hwan met with his restorative care partner to discuss his exit plan, they agreed that he had reached the goals set at the start of the episode. 

Hwan’s therapy had immediate and long-term benefits to his mobility. He could now visit his local markets again – with his walker providing somewhere to sit when he got tired.  

He also found his exercises meant that he relied on his walker less, which was heartening.