Our Allied Health
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.
Lauren Dircks - B. Phty, Grad Cert Clin Research MAPA
Our Physiotherapist
Lauren Dircks joins Age Right bringing comprehensive experience in providing meaningful, goal-oriented, evidence-based physiotherapy for older people living at home to optimise function and wellbeing. With a Bachelor of Physiotherapy from La Trobe University she specialised in community rehabilitation with a senior role as team leader of centre-based service, expanding the multi-disciplinary falls clinic and establishing client driven goal-directed therapy. She completed post-graduate training in clinical research, and advanced vestibular rehabilitation. For the past decade Lauren has worked independently in the community and home providing physiotherapy to older adults, people with disabilities and assisting recovery after injury or accident as well as working in leadership and project roles in the public health sector with Alfred, Royal Melbourne, and St Vincent’s Health. Age Right has provided the opportunity to join with other geriatric specialists to provide high quality clinical care to optimise individual outcomes, and using clinical expertise to translate evidence-based research into practice. Lauren has interest in falls prevention, strength training for bone and muscle health, partnering with people in planning meaningful management, interventions for frailty and cognitive impairment, and building functional capacity and mobility.
At Age Right, Lauren 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. Lauren also empowers clients aiming to maintain independence and enhance their overall well-being.
During the initial consultation, Lauren 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, Lauren 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, Lauren 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.
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 for personalized care, Age Right is dedicated to helping you achieve your rehabilitation goals.
Dr Anne Unkenstein- Clinical Neuropsychologist and Author of Memory-Wise
Dr Anne Unkenstein is a clinical neuropsychologist who has worked with people who experience memory difficulties for over 30 years. Anne’s clinical work involves identifying the nature and extent of people’s memory issues, assisting with the diagnosis of memory illnesses such as dementia, and providing supportive strategies for people with memory difficulties and their families.
Anne has worked in a memory clinic at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, a range of mental health services, and she consults in private practice. She is an honorary fellow of the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Melbourne, and has been involved in the education of graduate neuropsychologists and psychiatrists. Anne has presented her research at Australian and international scientific conferences and published her work in international journals and books. She is the author of the book Memory-wise: How memory works and what to do when it doesn’t published in 2019 by Allen and Unwin.
Anne runs the LaTCH memory strategies group at Age Right – a 6 week, evidence-based program for enhancing memory created by researchers at La Trobe University and Caulfield Hospital. She enjoys sharing information about memory and seeing the positive difference that the group makes for people as they develop improved confidence in their memory.