Aged Care Physiotherapy Adelaide
Thrive Health Therapies provides experienced physiotherapy for older adults across Adelaide. Our physiotherapists support you to maintain your strength, mobility, balance and independence through personalised therapy at home, in residential care or at our accessible Findon clinic and rehabilitation gym.
We work with older adults experiencing falls, reduced mobility, pain, frailty, neurological conditions and changes following illness, injury, surgery or a hospital admission. Services may be accessed through Support at Home, DVA, private funding and other eligible funding arrangements.
We are currently accepting new aged care physiotherapy referrals.
Physiotherapy for Older Adults Across Adelaide
Aged care physiotherapy is designed around the physical and functional changes that can occur as we get older. It may help you remain active, recover following illness or surgery, reduce your risk of falls and continue completing everyday activities as independently as possible.
Every physiotherapy program is tailored to your abilities, health, environment and goals. Therapy can be adapted for people with complex health conditions, significant mobility limitations or those who use walking aids or wheelchairs.
Who we support: Older adults living at home, in retirement communities or in residential aged care
Where we provide services: Homes and facilities across metropolitan Adelaide, our Findon clinic and selected hydrotherapy pools
Services available: Assessment, rehabilitation, strength and balance programs, falls prevention, mobility support, pain management and exercise prescription
Funding accepted: Support at Home, DVA, private funding, private health insurance, eligible GP referrals and existing NDIS plans
How Physiotherapy Can Support Older Adults
Our physiotherapists provide practical, evidence-based support to help older adults maintain or regain physical function.
Strength and Mobility
Ageing, illness, hospitalisation and reduced activity can affect muscle strength and mobility.
Your physiotherapist can develop an achievable exercise program to help you:
Build or maintain strength
Improve walking and transfers
Move more confidently around your home
Maintain your ability to complete everyday activities
Reduce the effects of physical deconditioning
Participate more fully in your community
Exercises are selected according to your abilities and can be completed at home, in a residential care setting or at our Findon rehabilitation gym.
Balance and Falls Prevention
Falls can affect confidence, mobility and independence. Our physiotherapists can assess factors contributing to falls and develop an individualised falls-prevention program.
This may include:
Balance and strengthening exercises
Walking and transfer assessment
Advice about walking aids
Strategies for getting up and moving safely
Education about managing falls risk
Collaboration with family members, carers and other health professionals
Referral for occupational therapy or a home safety assessment where appropriate
Walking and Gait Rehabilitation
Our physiotherapists can assess how you walk and identify factors affecting your safety, comfort or confidence.
Treatment may include gait retraining, balance exercises, strength training and advice about walking sticks, frames or other mobility aids.
Rehabilitation After Hospital or Surgery
Physiotherapy can help you regain strength, mobility and confidence following surgery, illness or a hospital admission.
We commonly support older adults after:
Hip or knee replacement
Falls and fractures
Extended hospital stays
Periods of reduced mobility
Acute illness
Changes in neurological or medical conditions
Where possible, physiotherapy can begin in your home and be adapted as your function improves.
Neurological Physiotherapy
Our physiotherapists have experience supporting older adults living with neurological conditions such as:
Stroke
Parkinson’s disease
Multiple sclerosis
Acquired brain injury
Motor neurone disease
Dementia
Other conditions affecting movement, balance or coordination
Neurological physiotherapy may focus on mobility, transfers, balance, strength, coordination, fatigue management and participation in everyday activities.
Learn more about neurological physiotherapy
Pain and Joint Stiffness
Pain and stiffness can make it difficult to stay active and complete everyday activities.
Physiotherapy may include:
Individualised movement and exercise
Strengthening
Advice about pacing and activity
Strategies for managing symptoms
Gentle hands-on treatment where appropriate
Education about safe and sustainable physical activity
Cardiovascular Fitness and Endurance
Reduced endurance can make walking, personal care and household activities more tiring.
Your physiotherapist can develop a safe and achievable exercise program to gradually improve physical fitness and activity tolerance. Programs are adjusted according to your health, symptoms and current abilities.
Transfers and Manual Handling
Our physiotherapists can assess transfers and mobility within your home or care environment.
This may include getting in and out of bed, standing from a chair or toilet, using mobility equipment and moving between different surfaces.
Where required, we can prepare an individualised manual handling plan and provide training to family members, carers or support workers.
Mobility Equipment
Our physiotherapists can assess whether a walking stick, walking frame or other physiotherapy-related mobility equipment may improve your safety and independence.
They can help select, adjust and teach you to use appropriate equipment. More complex assistive technology needs may require collaboration with one of our occupational therapists.
Who May Benefit From Aged Care Physiotherapy?
Aged care physiotherapy may be helpful if you:
Have experienced a fall or are concerned about falling
Feel weaker or less steady than you used to
Have difficulty walking or completing transfers
Have recently returned home from hospital
Are preparing for or recovering from surgery
Experience pain or joint stiffness
Have reduced physical endurance
Use a walking stick, walking frame or wheelchair
Live with a neurological condition
Have become less active
Want to maintain your independence
Need an exercise program adapted to your health and abilities
Require mobility or manual handling recommendations
You do not need a particular diagnosis to contact us. Our team can discuss your needs and determine whether physiotherapy is appropriate.
Conditions We Commonly Support
Our Adelaide aged care physiotherapists work with older adults managing a range of health conditions and functional changes, including:
Osteoarthritis
Osteoporosis
Joint replacements
Falls and fractures
Chronic pain
Frailty
Reduced balance or coordination
Spinal and postural changes
Diabetes-related complications
Heart and vascular conditions
Respiratory conditions
Reduced mobility after illness or hospitalisation
General weakness and physical deconditioning
Physiotherapy recommendations are based on your individual presentation rather than diagnosis alone.
What to Expect at Your First Physiotherapy Appointment
Your physiotherapist will take time to understand your health, daily activities, current challenges and the goals that matter to you.
Depending on your needs, the initial appointment may include:
Reviewing relevant health conditions and medical history
Discussing pain, fatigue, falls or mobility concerns
Assessing strength and joint movement
Assessing balance and coordination
Observing walking and transfers
Reviewing mobility equipment
Considering your home or care environment
Identifying falls and safety risks
Discussing activities you want to maintain or return to
Your physiotherapist will then explain their recommendations and develop a personalised treatment plan with you.
This may include regular physiotherapy, an individual home exercise program, mobility equipment recommendations, hydrotherapy, manual handling guidance or collaboration with your family, carers and other health professionals.
Where We Provide Aged Care Physiotherapy
In Your Home
Home visits are ideal when mobility, fatigue or transport makes clinic appointments difficult. Services may include:
Strength and balance exercises
Falls prevention
Walking and transfer practice
Rehabilitation and pain management
Mobility equipment assessment
Carer education and home exercise programs
Retirement Communities and Residential Aged Care
We provide individual physiotherapy appointments in retirement communities and residential aged care facilities across Adelaide, subject to availability and facility requirements. Services may include mobility assessments, strength and balance programs, falls prevention, rehabilitation, pain management and recommendations for walking aids or manual handling.
At Our Findon Clinic
Our accessible clinic and rehabilitation gym is located at 184 Findon Road, Findon. It includes strength and cardio equipment, parallel bars, a Pilates reformer, accessible treatment areas, private consulting rooms and on-site parking. Clinic appointments are suitable for older adults wanting to improve their strength, balance, mobility or overall fitness.
Hydrotherapy
Hydrotherapy provides a supportive, low-impact environment for movement and exercise.
It may help older adults experiencing joint pain, stiffness, reduced mobility or difficulty tolerating land-based exercise. Suitability will depend on your health, mobility, goals and ability to safely access the pool.
Via telehealth
Where clinically appropriate, appointments can be provided by secure video call.
Telehealth may be useful for exercise reviews, education, symptom-management advice, carer guidance and follow-up when an in-person appointment is not required.
Support at Home Physiotherapy
Support at Home replaced the Home Care Packages Program and Short-Term Restorative Care Programme in November 2025.
Physiotherapy is included within Support at Home as an allied health clinical support. It can help eligible older adults regain or maintain physical abilities and remain safe and independent at home.
Support at Home physiotherapy may include:
Mobility assessment
Falls prevention
Strength and balance programs
Rehabilitation
Pain-management strategies
Walking and transfer practice
Exercise prescription
Mobility equipment advice
Education and self-management strategies
Carer or support-worker guidance
Telehealth where appropriate
How to Access Physiotherapy Through Support at Home
An aged care assessment determines whether you are eligible for Support at Home and which services are included in your support plan.
If physiotherapy has been approved, speak with your Support at Home provider or care partner about engaging Thrive Health Therapies. Before services commence, we can confirm the referral, service authorisation, rates, travel arrangements and invoicing requirements with your provider.
Official Support at Home information states that participants do not make contributions towards approved clinical support services. Your individual access still depends on your assessment, approved services and available funding.
If you are unsure what has been approved, your Support at Home provider or care partner can review your support plan with you.
Funding Options for Aged Care Physiotherapy in Adelaide
We accept a wide range of funding options, making our services accessible for as many people as possible:
Support at Home
Private Health Insurance
Chronic Disease Management (CDM) plans (GP Team Care Arrangements)
Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA)
Private funding
Why Choose Thrive Health Therapies for Aged Care Physiotherapy?
Experienced physiotherapists: Our team has extensive experience in community rehabilitation, neurological physiotherapy and supporting people with complex health needs.
Home visits across Adelaide: We provide physiotherapy in homes and care environments throughout metropolitan Adelaide.
Accessible rehabilitation clinic: Our Findon clinic includes specialised equipment for strength, balance, walking and functional rehabilitation.
Individualised care: Physiotherapy is adapted to your abilities, health, preferences and meaningful goals.
Practical approach: We focus on movement and activities that support your everyday life.
Support at Home services: We can work with Support at Home providers and care partners to deliver approved physiotherapy services.
Collaborative support: With your consent, we can work with family members, carers, support workers, GPs and other health professionals.
Multidisciplinary team: Our physiotherapists can collaborate with Thrive’s occupational therapists, speech pathologists and allied health assistants where appropriate.
Current availability: We are currently accepting new aged care physiotherapy referrals.
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Aged care physiotherapy supports older adults experiencing changes in strength, balance, mobility, endurance or physical function.
It aims to help you remain active, reduce your risk of falls, recover following illness or surgery and maintain as much independence as possible.
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Yes. We provide mobile aged care physiotherapy in homes throughout metropolitan Adelaide.
Home visits may be particularly helpful when mobility, fatigue, accessibility or transport makes attending a clinic difficult.
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Yes. Physiotherapy is included in the Support at Home service list as an allied health clinical support.
Access depends on your aged care assessment, approved support plan and available funding. Speak with your Support at Home provider or care partner about arranging services with Thrive Health Therapies.
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Official Support at Home information states that participants do not pay contributions towards approved clinical support services, which include physiotherapy.
Your provider should confirm that physiotherapy is included in your approved support plan and explain any applicable service, travel or funding arrangements before services commence.
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Yes. Support at Home replaced the Home Care Packages Program and Short-Term Restorative Care Programme on 1 November 2025.
Older people receiving ongoing care at home now access eligible services through Support at Home.
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Speak with your Support at Home provider or care partner and ask whether physiotherapy is included in your support plan.
You, a family member or your provider can then contact Thrive Health Therapies. We will confirm the service arrangements and required authorisation before booking your first appointment.
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Physiotherapy can address factors that may contribute to falls, including reduced strength, poor balance, difficulty walking and unsafe transfers.
Your physiotherapist can assess your individual risk factors and develop a personalised falls-prevention program.
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Yes. Physiotherapy can help rebuild strength, mobility and confidence following illness, surgery or an extended hospital stay.
Appointments can take place at home, allowing rehabilitation to focus on your everyday environment and activities.
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Yes, subject to facility requirements, therapist availability and appropriate funding or service arrangements.
Contact our team with the facility’s details so we can confirm whether an onsite service can be arranged.
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Yes. Family members, carers or support workers are welcome to attend when you would like them involved.
With your consent, your physiotherapist can provide education and practical guidance to help others support your mobility and exercise program.
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Yes. Our physiotherapists can assess whether a walking aid may improve your safety and mobility.
They can help select, adjust and teach you to use suitable equipment.
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No. Physiotherapy can also help older adults manage gradual changes in strength, balance, mobility, pain or endurance.
You do not need to have experienced an injury or have a particular diagnosis to request an assessment.
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Yes. Older adults can attend our accessible rehabilitation clinic and gym at 184 Findon Road, Findon.
Your physiotherapist can advise whether clinic-based or home-based physiotherapy is likely to be most appropriate for your needs.
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A GP referral is not generally required for privately funded or Support at Home physiotherapy.
Appropriate documentation is required for DVA and to claim eligible Medicare rebates through a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan.
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Yes. We are currently accepting new aged care physiotherapy referrals.
Availability may vary depending on your location, preferred appointment time and the type of support required.
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Complete our online adult referral form or contact our team on 0474 248 081 or enquiries@thrivehealththerapies.com.
Please include your location, funding arrangement and a brief description of the physiotherapy support required.
Frequently Asked Questions About Aged Care Physiotherapy
If you can’t find an answer to your question, please contact our friendly team on 0474 248 081 or email enquiries@thrivehealththerapies.com
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Referral Form
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