Home is Where the Heart is: Independent Living with Love and Support
90-year-old Kathy credits seeking more support with the quality of life she still enjoys in her beloved home.
Being at home surrounded by her beloved family and community is ever so important to 90-year-old Kathy. Indeed, it led the great-grandmother to override her initial resistance to receiving more support in her home and get the assistance she needs to keep living independently and well in the home that means so much to her.
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Kathy’s cooking skills are legendary among the family and the wider community.
Working as a cook at Beaufort House, the student accommodation at Federation University and St Patrick’s College, allowed Kathy to share her best Austrian recipes with many generations of students.
In 2018, Kathy started participating in integratedliving’s Wellness for Independence programs through the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) to learn how to manage her health better. In 2020, she found that her memory was deteriorating, and her daughter Christine suggested it may be good to try and get some extra help so that she could stay living at home. It was also important that she could continue to do the things she loves, such as cooking, gardening, sewing and catching up with her family.
Christine is the passionate leader of the Wellness for Independence programs at integratedliving, so she guided her Mum on the benefits of applying for the Level 3 Home Care Package, now a Support at Home package.
With a bigger budget than her initial CHSP funding offered, Kathy’s Package allows for clinical care such as physiotherapy, access to wellness programs, home modifications, equipment, and help with many other things, including gardening as well as house and window cleaning.
“I am so lucky to have this help to stay home with my family living nearby. It’s worth everything,” Kathy said.
“They are busy working and looking after their children. The care package makes it easier for them. It’s just wonderful.”
Daughter Christine wholeheartedly agrees. “Mum has been thrilled with the care she has received from integratedliving. Her case manager is incredibly proactive, and nurses come monthly for a health check. I only want the best for Mum, which she is getting,” Christine said.
Not one to be idle, Kathy has completed almost every Wellness for Independence program available. Through her package, she purchased an iPad and learned to take the courses online. Kathy said the most valuable programs for her have included Diabetes and Foot Wellness, Cardiac Wellness, Respiratory Wellness, Nutritional Wellness and Low Vision Wellness. “When I was diagnosed with diabetes, I signed up for the course to understand how to manage it,” Kathy said. “I learned so much about nutrition and eating the right foods. After following the right diet, I no longer need to take the medication. It works,” Kathy said.
Low vision is associated with diabetes, and Kathy is a keen cross-stitcher and sewer. Through the program, she has learned the importance of checking her eyes annually. These screenings revealed cataracts that needed treatment.
Kathy says that the net effect of having the support provided by integratedliving is a much better quality of life and the ability to keep doing the things she enjoys.
A physiotherapist comes weekly to help Kathy with special exercises, another essential part of maintaining her strength and mobility so she can continue to enjoy her garden.
According to Kathy’s family, she makes the best goulash in the world. Her grandchildren love her chicken schnitzel, sauerkraut and dumplings too. Despite her arthritis, she still cooks with modified utensils to make chopping more manageable and a lightweight kettle and cutlery. These are all made available through her funding package.
It’s well-known that one of the secrets to longevity is strong connections and community. Kathy’s family support ensures she has plenty of love around her. Help provided by integratedliving and the Home Care Package (now Support at Home Package) has introduced her to a broader community of support workers.
Some of whom have become friends, including Manpreet, who provides domestic assistance for Kathy’s beloved home, and takes her out for coffee once a month.