Uniting Arrunga Ermington Wins Award for Drug-Free Pain Management Program

Uniting Arrunga Ermington has been named a national Better Practice Award winner for its industry leading physiotherapy pain management program.

The Australian Aged Care Quality Agency presented the award to staff and residents on Thursday 25 February at Uniting Arrunga Ermington.

The Better Practice Award program acknowledges outstanding initiatives and educates the industry about successful programs.

Uniting Arrunga’s innovative non-pharmacological approach helps residents living in aged care manage chronic pain and live happy, healthy lives.

A qualified physiotherapist conducts the pain clinic four days a week, which has been running for more than four years. Results show that about 85 per cent of the residents on the program have improved or maintained their pain status over time.

Service Manager at Uniting Arrunga Ermington, Celedonia Laverty said program was developed to try to overcome significant challenges; many residents had lost their independence due to their chronic pain, “Everyone should receive the best possible treatments, no matter their age.”

Residents at Uniting Arrunga Ermington aged care home are enjoying the therapies. For Valma O’Mara, the pain clinic has relieved chronic pain in her neck and shoulders, “I had been taking medication for something like three or four years. Now I’m on no medication at all.”

Click here to find out more about Uniting's aged care services.