At home
Home visits for assessment and therapy, with family and carers welcome to join in.
Certified Practising Speech Pathologist
Helping every voice be heard.
Specialist speech pathology for adults and older people. I help with communication, voice and safe swallowing, in your home, in aged-care facilities or by telehealth.
- Aged care
- Adult therapy
- Home care services
- Medicare registered
Home and aged-care visitsPlus telehealth sessions
Medicare rebatesWith a GP care plan
How I help
Specialist care for adults and older people
My practice focuses on aged care and adult therapy, with home visits so you can get help where you are most comfortable.
Aged care
Eating, drinking and chatting with the people you love are some of life's great pleasures. I help older people keep enjoying them safely, whether they live at home or in residential care.
- Swallowing assessment and management
- Safe food and drink textures (IDDSI)
- Mealtime plans for families and carers
- Communication support with dementia
- Speech and voice changes with age
- Services for aged-care facilities
Adult therapy
After a stroke, with a neurological condition or when your voice or swallow changes, I help you get back to the conversations and meals that matter to you.
- Swallowing difficulties (dysphagia)
- Aphasia after stroke or brain injury
- Slurred or unclear speech
- Parkinson's and other neurological conditions
- Voice therapy, including for teachers and speakers
- Stuttering and fluency
Home care services
I come to you. Seeing you at home lets me work with real meals and everyday conversations, and include the family and carers who help day to day.
- Assessment and therapy at home
- Support at Home and Home Care Package clients
- Mealtime plans for the whole household
- Training for family and carers
- Working with your GP and care team
- Telehealth follow-ups between visits
When to reach out
Not sure if it's time to ask?
Changes in swallowing, speech or voice can creep up slowly. If any of these sound familiar, or something is worrying you, it's worth getting in touch.
- Coughing at mealsCoughing, throat clearing or a wet-sounding voice while eating or drinking.
- Food that sticksFood feeling stuck, meals taking much longer, or avoiding foods that used to be easy.
- Repeat chest infectionsChest infections that keep coming back can be a sign of a swallowing problem.
- A changed voiceHoarseness that lasts more than a few weeks, or a voice that tires quickly.
- Lost wordsTrouble finding words or following conversation after a stroke or head injury.
- Unclear speechSpeech that has become slurred, quiet or harder for others to understand.
Talk it through with me
A quick chat costs nothing and can save months of wondering.
Safer mealtimes for every resident
For aged-care facilities
A speech pathologist your team can rely on
I work alongside nursing, kitchen and care staff to keep residents eating, drinking and communicating as safely and happily as possible.
- 01Swallowing assessmentsBedside assessments with clear, practical recommendations for each resident.
- 02Mealtime management plansEasy-to-follow plans that care staff can use at every meal.
- 03Resident screeningsSwallowing screens across a whole facility when food and drink levels need reviewing.
- 04IDDSI texture auditsFood and drink audits so every texture served matches what residents need.
- 05Staff trainingSessions for nursing, kitchen and care staff on safe mealtime assistance, communication and spotting swallowing problems early.
What to expect
Getting started is simple
No referral is needed for private appointments. If you have a GP plan or NDIS funding, bring the details along.
Get in touch
Send a message or email. We'll have a short chat about what's going on and find a time that suits you.
Assessment
I take time to understand the whole picture, using everyday conversation and, for swallowing, the foods and drinks you actually have.
A clear plan
You get plain-language results and goals we set together, with a plan that fits your life.
Therapy that sticks
Regular sessions plus simple practice ideas for home, so progress keeps going between visits.
Where I see you
Therapy where life happens
Most people talk and eat best in familiar surroundings, so I come to you.
Aged-care facilities
Resident assessments, reviews and staff training, with plans shared with the care team.
With your care team
I keep your GP, case manager and other health professionals in the loop.
Telehealth
Secure video sessions for follow-ups and therapy that works well on screen.
"The best therapy fits into your everyday life, so the progress you make in a session carries on after I leave."
Lael Plotkin
Lael PlotkinCertified Practising Speech Pathologist
About Lael
Hi, I'm Lael
I have worked as a speech pathologist for over 20 years, treating a wide range of children and adults in various clinical, school and home settings.
I am passionate in my work, as I truly appreciate the importance of client centred, functional therapy, giving clients the tools to improve in their daily lives.
I have always had a particular fondness for aged care, where I aim to ensure clients and their families feel heard in their quest to communicate more effectively and gain the confidence to manage meals safely.
I aim to give every person the time and attention they deserve. Whether it's finding the right words again after a stroke or enjoying a cup of tea safely again, I want you to leave every session feeling heard and knowing exactly what to do next.
- Over 20 years’ experience
- Certified Practising Speech Pathologist
- Medicare registered provider
- Aged care and adult therapy
- Home visits
Fees and funding
Ways to pay for therapy
Many people can claim part of the cost back. I'll explain your options before we start, so there are no surprises.
GP care plan
With a Chronic Condition Management Plan from your GP, you can claim a Medicare rebate on up to five allied health sessions each calendar year.
NDIS participants
I work with self-managed and plan-managed participants who have speech pathology in their plan.
Extras cover
Most extras policies include speech pathology. Check with your fund to see how much you can claim.
Support at Home
Support at Home and Home Care Package funding can be used for speech pathology at home. Facilities can arrange services for residents directly.
Private appointments need no referral.Medicare provider number 2784007B
Questions
Good questions to ask
If yours isn't here, send it through and I'll answer it personally.
Do I need a referral?
Not for private appointments. To claim a Medicare rebate you'll need a Chronic Condition Management Plan from your GP, and NDIS participants will need speech pathology funding in their plan.
What happens at the first appointment?
We talk about your concerns and history, then I complete an assessment. For swallowing, this may include watching you eat and drink. You'll leave with my first impressions and next steps, followed by clear written recommendations.
How long are sessions?
Assessments usually take longer than regular sessions. Ongoing therapy sessions are typically 45 minutes to an hour, depending on age, goals and energy levels.
Do you visit people at home?
Yes. Home visits are a big part of my practice, including for clients using Support at Home or Home Care Package funding. Family members and carers are welcome to join.
Do you work with aged-care facilities?
Yes. I provide swallowing assessments, mealtime management plans, IDDSI texture audits and staff training. Get in touch to talk about what your residents need.
Is telehealth effective?
For many adults, telehealth works very well and saves travel time. Some assessments, such as swallowing, are best done in person, and I'll let you know which suits you.
Get in touch
Let's have a chat
Tell me a little about what's going on and I'll get back to you personally to talk through the next step.
- Email[email protected]
- AppointmentsHome visits, aged-care facilities and telehealth