Living life well with home care services

February 22, 2021

Southern Cross began delivering Home Care services to Western Sydney in July 1996, followed by expansion into the Riverina in 1998, and what was originally a program assisting just a few older people in their own homes, now provides hundreds of Home Care Packages across NSW and the ACT.

Home care support has become a growing option for people that can provide the support they need while allowing them to stay in the comfort of their own home.

Most older Australians also prefer to remain in their own home as they get older. A Home Care Package provides long-term help to allow people to stay independent in their own home as long as possible and offer four levels of care packages to support people with basic, low, intermediate, and high care needs.

Paul Edwards is aged 74 and lives in Hay NSW with his wife. Paul was nicknamed “tadpole” as a small child and now as an adult, ‘Frog’ is growing older gracefully, thanks to his ability to stay at home and maintain his connection to his community.

He has been a very valuable member of his community and a previous Hay Citizen of the year recipient. He spent time in the Army Reserves during Cyclone Tracy, was a regular Plant Operator and Truck Driver and even a Gateman at the local Rodeo. Mostly, Frog has been helping other people most of his life, but when he needed help, did not think he was sick enough to qualify for assistance.

He was a regular smoker and drinker and after experiencing some health concerns and limited mobility, Frog was encouraged to try home care services by a relative. He was extremely grateful for how it improved his life and allowed him to remain independent in his own home, and he wanted to spread the word in his local community.

“I love the personal caring service that Southern Cross Care provides me. At the age of 74, I am not as mobile as I used to be, so they help me with my day to day needs including home maintenance. I was thankful for the service and its great to get regular wellbeing visits from the team. I wanted my friends to find out about home care and all the benefits because many did not know that it was available in regional areas or about the types of services available. More importantly for them, home care services can mean a better life at home and can keep them out of hospital,” says Frog.

Remaining at home, Frog continues to be as active as possible in the community, including volunteer work and helping at the local jockey club and RSL, where he has acted as President and regularly assists veterans and their families.

He also continues to help others by referring new home care customers.