Whiddon’s TOP UP telehealth physiotherapy program, developed with the University of Sydney and funded by ARIIA, reduced falls by 40 per cent, improved mobility and independence, and expanded access to physiotherapy services for older Australians living in regional and rural communities. It was a joint-winner of the Research category in the 2025 Future of Ageing Awards. Results were unveiled at a presentation dinner in Sydney on November 27, 2025…To view all of the results…
The Telehealth Outreach Physiotherapy Upskilling Program (TOP UP Study) is an innovative, physiotherapist-led telehealth program developed in partnership with the University of Sydney and funded by ARIIA. Launched in 2021 and expanded in 2023, the program was designed to improve mobility, reduce falls, and increase independence for older people receiving aged care services, particularly in regional and rural communities.
Delivered across Whiddon residential and community care services in New South Wales, the program combines ten telehealth physiotherapy sessions delivered via Zoom with weekly in-home support from trained Whiddon care workers, known as “coaches”, over six months.
Participants demonstrated a 40 per cent reduction in falls, alongside significant improvements in mobility, confidence, physical activity, and quality of life. Following strong trial outcomes, the program was expanded into Whiddon’s Community Care services and has since evolved into “StrengthUp”, now embedded within Whiddon’s broader reablement and wellbeing model.
The TOP UP Study provides a scalable, evidence-based solution to longstanding inequities in access to allied health services for older Australians living outside metropolitan areas.
Why it was developed
Falls and mobility decline remain among the leading causes of hospitalisation, injury, and loss of independence for older Australians. For people living in regional and rural communities, these challenges are compounded by limited access to physiotherapy and allied health services due to workforce shortages, travel distances, and affordability barriers.
Whiddon identified reablement and wellbeing as strategic priorities across its aged care services, but faced ongoing difficulties delivering consistent physiotherapy support to clients in remote locations. At the same time, feedback from frontline staff, community care coordinators, consumers, and families highlighted growing demand for accessible, personalised health programs that could support ageing in place.
The COVID-19 pandemic further accelerated the need for innovative models of care delivery. Restrictions on face-to-face services demonstrated the importance of virtual care options that could maintain health, mobility, and social connection for older people regardless of location.
In response, Whiddon partnered with the University of Sydney and another aged care provider to explore whether telehealth physiotherapy could offer an effective and sustainable alternative to traditional service delivery.
The project aimed to address several key challenges:
- Limited access to physiotherapy in regional and rural communities
- High rates of falls and mobility decline among older Australians
- Workforce shortages affecting allied health availability
- Growing policy focus on reablement and ageing in place
- The need for scalable and cost-effective care models
The need for the program was informed by:
- Clinical data relating to falls and mobility outcomes within Whiddon services
- Feedback from community care teams and frontline workers
- Consumer and family insights
- National policy momentum around preventative care and independence
Supported by ARIIA funding, the initial pilot was rolled out across Whiddon residential and community care services in Grafton, Kelso, Redhead, and Temora. The success of the first phase led to additional funding and an expanded trial in Glenfield, Hornsby, and Tamworth.
How the program works
TOP UP is a six-month falls prevention and mobility program that combines telehealth physiotherapy with in-person support from trained aged care staff.
Each participant received:
- Ten physiotherapy sessions delivered via Zoom
- Weekly visits or check-ins from a Whiddon “coach”
- Tailored exercise plans aligned to individual mobility goals
- Access to senior-friendly online exercise videos and printed resources
The program was co-designed with older adults and aged care staff to ensure it was accessible, engaging, and easy to use. Exercises were personalised to each participant’s physical capability, while Whiddon coaches provided encouragement, motivation, and practical technology support.
Program Objectives
The TOP UP Study aimed to:
- Improve mobility and physical function
- Reduce falls and injury risk
- Increase participation in physical activity
- Improve access to allied health services
- Strengthen workforce capability in reablement care
- Support older Australians to remain independent for longer
Implementation
The program was piloted across 27 aged care sites, including both residential aged care and community care settings.
Whiddon trialled the program across:
- Grafton
- Redhead
- Kelso
- Temora
- Glenfield
- Hornsby
- Tamworth
More than 50 Whiddon staff members were trained by University of Sydney physiotherapists to support participants and deliver the coaching component of the program.
Evaluation was built into the project from the beginning. Researchers collected data before, during, and after participation, measuring mobility, falls outcomes, and participant experiences. Interviews were also conducted with physiotherapists, Whiddon coaches, residents, and community clients to understand the program’s broader impacts.
Evidence of success
The TOP UP Study delivered measurable improvements across physical health, independence, emotional well-being, and social connection.
Quantitative Outcomes
Key results included:
- 40 per cent reduction in falls among participants
- Significant mobility improvements measured through the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB)
- 77 per cent program completion rate
- 100 per cent of participants said they would recommend the program
- Participants increased independent exercise by an average of 80 minutes per week
Participant Outcomes
The program produced transformative results for many participants.
Marlene, a 90-year-old resident with a history of frequent falls, increased her walking distance from 25 metres with assistance to 100 metres independently using a walking frame. During the six-month program, her falls reduced from seven to one. She reported that the exercises were easy to follow and helped her regain confidence and independence, including the ability to use the bathroom unaided.
Peg, 85, who lives with mild dementia and chronic health conditions, improved her walking endurance from five minutes to twenty minutes. She now regularly enjoys outings with her husband and family. Her daughter observed improvements not only in mobility but also in memory, anxiety, and mood.
Stan, 86, used the program to rebuild strength and reconnect socially after the loss of his wife. He completed a six-kilometre Walk for Dementia event, resumed regular outings with friends, and now informally supports other residents participating in the program.
Broader Impacts
Qualitative feedback highlighted the program’s strongest impact in regional, rural, and remote communities where access to physiotherapy had previously been limited.
Participants and staff consistently reported that:
- Telehealth made physiotherapy more accessible and convenient
- Weekly coaching visits increased motivation and accountability
- Tailored and senior-friendly resources improved engagement
- Participants valued the progressive nature of the exercises
- Telehealth was viewed as safe, effective, and easy to use
The project also demonstrated that successful telehealth delivery in aged care requires organisational commitment, workforce engagement, and ongoing support. While some technology and rostering challenges were experienced during implementation, these were successfully overcome through collaboration and persistence.
The TOP UP Study has demonstrated that telehealth-enabled physiotherapy can deliver meaningful, measurable outcomes for older Australians, particularly those living in regional and rural communities.
By combining evidence-based physiotherapy with local workforce support, the program improved mobility, reduced falls, increased confidence, and strengthened social connections for participants. Importantly, it also proved that innovative, technology-enabled care models can be both scalable and sustainable within aged care settings.
The success of the program has positioned StrengthUp as an important part of Whiddon’s future reablement strategy and a model for improving equitable access to allied health services across Australia’s aged care sector.
