Key Differences Between a Support Worker and an Allied Health Assistant: Why Choose an AHA?

Many people who access NDIS funding are familiar with the roles of Support Workers. However, there's another critical role that often goes under the radar: the Allied Health Assistant (AHA). While both Support Workers and AHAs provide essential services, their training, expertise, and scope of work differ significantly. Here, we'll explore the key differences between these roles and highlight the unique benefits of working with an AHA.

Support Workers

Support Workers assist individuals with daily living activities, such as personal care, household tasks, delivering support plans, meal preparation, and providing companionship. Their primary focus is on helping clients maintain their independence and quality of life. While their work is valuable, it typically centres on general support rather than specialised therapeutic interventions and building capacity and independence of the individual.

Allied Health Assistants (AHAs)

At TPAG our Allied Health Assistants are trained professionals who have a Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance and work under the supervision of a qualified Occupational Therapist. AHAs are specifically trained to deliver therapeutic supports and interventions tailored to an individual’s health and developmental needs, designed by the Occupational Therapist. Their role is specialised and extends beyond the general assistance provided by Support Workers, with a key focus on building the skills and abilities of the individual in their activities of daily living and empowering them to be independent.

Specialised Training and Expertise

AHAs undergo rigorous training that equips them with the skills and knowledge needed to support specific health and developmental goals. In addition to their formal qualification TPAG AHAs are trained to implement strategies and interventions designed by Occupational Therapists. This specialised training ensures that AHAs can provide targeted therapeutic support that can make a significant difference in a client's progress. It also comes with the bonus of an Occupational Therapist overseeing the design of the support plan and on hand to assist with anything that may arise unexpectedly.

Therapeutic Interventions

While Support Workers are valuable in their roles, they typically can not provide therapeutic interventions. AHAs, on the other hand, are trained to deliver specific therapeutic activities and exercises designed to address specific health conditions, developmental delays, and functional impairments. This capability enables AHAs to contribute to more effective and meaningful health outcomes for their clients.

Personalised Care Plans

Choosing an AHA means opting for a higher level of personalised care. TPAG AHAs work closely with our Occupational Therapists to develop and implement care plans that are tailored to the unique needs of each individual. This personalised approach ensures that interventions are not only appropriate but also optimally effective, enhancing the overall quality of care.

Consistency and Continuity

Consistency is crucial in achieving long-term therapeutic goals. AHAs provide continuous and consistent care, becoming familiar faces in a client’s routine and building strong, trusting relationships. This continuity of care is often less predictable with Support Workers, who may have varying schedules and responsibilities.

Enhanced Communication

Effective communication between care providers is essential for successful therapy. AHAs are trained to communicate seamlessly with other allied health professionals, ensuring that any progress, challenges, or changes in care are promptly addressed. This integrated communication approach ensures that all team members are on the same page, leading to better-coordinated care and improved outcomes.

Holistic Support

AHAs adopt a holistic approach to care, considering not only the physical aspects of a client's health but also their emotional and social well-being. This comprehensive perspective ensures that all facets of an individual’s health are addressed, promoting overall well-being and a higher quality of life.

A simple example to evidence the difference between the two roles is a Support Worker may assist an individual to complete their weekly shopping. An AHA can also do this, but they will be backed by a plan written by an OT, with specific goals and activities over the weeks to support the development of the individual to undertake some or all the shopping tasks independently, building their capacity.

While Support Workers provide essential support, the specialised training and therapeutic capabilities of Allied Health Assistants offer unique and significant benefits. By choosing an AHA, you’re opting for personalised, consistent, and holistic care, overseen by an Occupational Therapist, that can lead to better health outcomes.

If you or a loved one could benefit from the specialised support of our Allied Health Assistants, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Our team is here to support you every step of the way. Contact us today to learn more about how our AHAs can enhance your care experience. Together, we can achieve great things!