Our Allied Health
Cara McNeill B. PHYT (Monash)
Our Physiotherapist
Cara McNeill graduated with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy from Monash University in 2008. As a new graduate, she gained extensive experience working at Eastern Health and Cabrini Health in both acute and subacute hospital settings. During this time, she developed expertise in managing acute and post-operative orthopedics, neurological assessment and rehabilitation, and geriatric evaluation and care.
Later, Cara advanced to a Grade 2 Physiotherapist role at Cabrini Rehabilitation in Elsternwick, where she specialized in movement disorders and gerontology. She also served as an undergraduate educator, mentoring the next generation of physiotherapists. Afterward, she took a break to travel through South America, where she embraced trekking and learning Spanish.
On her return to Australia, Cara transitioned to private practice, where she applied her advanced skills in orthopedics and exercise prescription to help clients rehabilitate and optimize movement. After working in some of Melbourne’s leading clinics, she founded her own business in 2024, offering Physiotherapy and Pilates services for a broad range of conditions.
At Age Right, Cara delivers specialized care through both clinic-based and mobile physiotherapy services, as well as telehealth. Her mission is to improve the lives of older adults through tailored exercise programs designed to manage acute injuries, chronic conditions, and promote healthy aging. Cara also empowers clients aiming to maintain independence and enhance their overall well-being.
During the initial consultation, Cara conducts a comprehensive physical assessment informed by the client’s history. This includes evaluating functional capacity for activities such as bed mobility, transfers, walking, and navigating steps. She assesses key markers like strength, range of motion, balance, speed, and exercise tolerance, using objective measures such as the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB).
Based on these findings, Cara collaborates with the client (and their carer, if needed) to develop a personalized exercise program. She discusses the level of support they require to complete exercises at home, in the Age Right clinic, or a mix of both. An ongoing management plan is created to align with the client’s goals and preferences.
Clients at Age Right have the flexibility to choose the support level that suits their needs. After the initial assessment and program development, Cara provides detailed exercise plans and necessary equipment for independent use. For those seeking additional guidance, sessions can be delivered one-on-one, in small group settings, or as a hybrid approach.
At Age Right, we believe exercise can transform lives—but it starts with taking that first step. We’re here to make the journey achievable and rewarding.
Dr Margaret Pozzebon
Our Speech Pathologist
Dr Margaret Pozzebon is a Speech Pathologist who has extensive clinical experience helping people with speech, language, cognitive-memory, and swallowing difficulties arising due to a neurocognitive illness such as dementia, cognitive decline, stroke, or a neurodegenerative condition. She has worked leading Melbourne-based health services across the various points of care; such as in specialist dementia diagnostic clinic (called ‘CDAMS’), inpatient wards, rehabilitation centres, community-outreach programs, residential aged care facilities, and in private practice.
Margaret takes a client-centred and wholistic approach when working with individuals and their partner/families to help and support them in dealing with their current circumstances. Her underlying working philosophy is based on ‘knowing the person’ and that communication is essentially for making an emotional connection with others. Margaret is dedicated to providing a high-quality service to her clients, and in doing so strives to help people live their best life despite the illness challenges.
Dr Margaret Pozzebon is a Speech Pathologist who has extensive clinical experience helping people with speech, language, cognitive-memory, and swallowing difficulties arising due to a neurocognitive illness such as dementia, cognitive decline, stroke, or a neurodegenerative condition. She has worked leading Melbourne-based health services across the various points of care; such as in specialist dementia
diagnostic clinic (called ‘CDAMS’), inpatient wards, rehabilitation centres, community-outreach programs, residential aged care facilities, and in private practice.
Margaret takes a client-centred and wholistic approach when working with individuals and their partner/families to help and support them in dealing with their current circumstances. Her underlying working philosophy is based on ‘knowing the person’ and that communication is essentially for making an emotional connection with others. Margaret is dedicated to providing a high-quality service to her clients, and in doing so strives to help people live their best life despite the illness challenges. Her PhD completed in 2019 investigated the spousal experience of supporting their partner living with dementia, specifically Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA). This research resulted in several well cited journal publications. Margaret continues to work collaboratively with a small consortium group of international speech pathologists who are seeking better understand the emotional-communicative needs of people living with a language-led dementia (such as PPA) and applying this knowledge to inform practical and evidence-based approaches to intervention.
Geriatricians, Neuropsychiatrists, GPs, Neuropsychologists, aged care services and concerned family members all seek out Margaret’s high-quality expertise, particularly for diagnostic evaluations for possible language-led dementia conditions, as well as to provide therapeutic intervention and management for adults diagnosed with common and atypical forms of dementias.
Margaret is available for face-to-face consultations at the Age Right consulting rooms in Malvern East, for home-based visits and in residential aged care facilities. Telehealth consultations can also be arranged on request.
Cara and Lauren
OUR PHYSIOTHERAPISTS
At Age Right, we prioritize the unique needs of our patients. Our experienced physiotherapists, Cara and Lauren, offer both group and one-on-one physiotherapy sessions to ensure the best care for our clients.
Group Physiotherapy Sessions
Our group sessions are specifically designed for the rehabilitation of older adults. These classes provide a supportive environment where patients can connect with peers facing similar challenges. Over the years, this sense of community has fostered motivation and encouragement among participants.
In our group settings, clients share experiences, celebrate successes, and inspire one another to achieve their goals. The camaraderie and peer support play a crucial role in enhancing adherence to exercise programs and overall engagement in rehabilitation. Additionally, our sessions incorporate cognitive exercises that stimulate memory, attention, and problem-solving skills, helping to maintain cognitive function and mitigate the effects of aging.
One-on-One Physiotherapy Sessions
For those who prefer personalized attention, we offer one-on-one physiotherapy sessions. These private classes allow for tailored treatment plans designed to meet individual needs, ensuring effective rehabilitation and optimal physical function. Our one-on-one sessions provide a confidential space for clients to address personal health concerns comfortably.
Whether you choose group classes for community support or one-on-one sessions forpersonalized care, Age Right is dedicated to helping you achieve your rehabilitation goals.
