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Choosing to be a Service Provider, whether you’re an independent operator or work with a clinic, places you in a wonderful position to create the career you want to create. With Roaming Healthcare, you can choose your own clients, connect with your local community, work your preferred hours and set your own rates. To find the right clients for you, a great Service Provider profile is key. It connects you to prospective clients, links you to your local area, and showcases your professional credentials. Your profile is also, more importantly, a way for you to share who you are, help build trust and allow  you and your prospective clients to find the right fit in a healthcare arrangement. Here are some tips to create a standout Service Provider profile with Roaming Healthcare: Take care to fill out each section of your profile and ensure it’s complete. Use a clear, quality headshot. We want people to be able to see who you are and get a feel for your personality. Showcase your experience, qualifications, licenses and professional associations. People are seeking to engage experienced providers they can trust, and demonstrating your expertise is the perfect way to do this. If you’re affiliated with a local practice or other organisation, do share it! We warmly encourage you to make and upload a short video where you introduce yourself to prospective clients. The personal touch can make all the difference! Language skills other than English are a real asset for many of our clients, and if you have cultural experience and sensitivity that will be welcomed by many. You’re welcome to incorporate some personal elements that you’re comfortable with sharing; your professional passions, your personality type, and what makes you a great healthcare professional. These are all elements that can make it much easier for people to connect with the right Service Professional. To get started on your Service Professional profile, register or login and follow the easy steps we’ve outlined above. The Roaming Healthcare team is available to provide you with advice on your profile so if you need assistance, just contact us.

Dementia is a disease that will touch every Australian in some way, with an estimated 425,000 people in currently living with dementia in the country. Dementia is now a commonly used term that isn’t actually a single, stand-alone condition, but a complex set of diseases. Dementia has a major impact on communication and behaviour, and for friends, family and carers, how we respond to that behaviour is key to the comfort of the person with the disease. The parietal lobes in the brain manage sensory hearing, and these can be affected by dementia, which means sense like hearing, sight, touch, smell, and even hot and cold are not being processed as they once were. A wide range of challenges for carers and loved ones come with the loss of these senses. Some examples include a person drinking something too hot for them and not understand where the burn came from, or a loss of reading and writing ability. As a family member or carer, spending time to understand the person with dementia, and potentially relearning to communicate with them in a way they can process, may help to re-open these communication channels. Some ways to do this can including trying different ways to communicate, and putting effort into understanding what this person is trying to do and help them. There are also some R’s that can be very helpful if you love, or are caring for, someone with dementia. Remain calm. Respond to feelings. Reassure the person. Remove yourself momentarily if appropriate. It’s key to remember that we can’t change the person with dementia, but you can change your response. If you are seeking care services to help a loved one with their dementia care and journey, visit our Service Provider Directory and create the right connections for their best quality of life.

Australians certainly do love their furry friends. It’s fair to say that we’re a pet-loving population, with almost 40% of households enjoying the company of a dog and nearly 30% being bossed around by their cats.* Pets are brilliant for health, fitness, well-being, companionship and self-esteem, and they truly become a part of the family. The ability to stay at home with our pets, or get the help we need so we can enjoy our pets at home, is so important for people and pets alike. Aside from stealing our hearts, why are pets just so good for us? Social interaction: pets are a great conversation-starter at the local coffee shop and if you’re able to walk it, or take it to the dog park, your dog will keep you nicely connected to your neighbourhood and community. Exercise: if you can walk, or take your dog out with you with a walking aid or companion, you’ll be able to enjoy some fresh air and exercise. Companionship: bottom line, they’re just great company and it’s a lovely experience to be able to feed them, pet and groom them, and (yes, we admit it) talk to them. Positive self-esteem: Pet owners exhibit stronger self-esteem than non-pet-owners according to research published [http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-social-self/201107/friends-benefits-pets-make-us-happier-healthier] in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. Pet owners are also more extroverted and less fearful than people who don’t own pets. Less stress and boredom: Whether you’re dragging a toy around your house for your cat or throwing a ball for your dog, they are a wonderful distraction that can reduce stress and alleviate boredom. Roaming Healthcare is a platform that connects people with the right assistance that allows them to stay at home for as long as possible with their pets as they age or become unwell, and assist those with a disability or limited mobility to keep their pets close. When you need a trusted Service Provider to walk, feed, groom or even help drive to and from vet appointments, the ability to stay at home or get pet assistance is key. Roaming Healthcare knows how important it is for people to be able to enjoy continuity in their lives, so when it’s time our Service Provider Directory can help you find the right connections for their best quality of life.   * Source: RSPCA Australia