Connecting Clients with Loved Ones One Home Care Package at a Time

Catholic Healthcare client, Don, recently spent some precious time catching up with his beloved family at Sydney’s Birkenhead Point, and it was all made possible through his Home Care Package.

Don, now in his nineties, lives at Lendlease’s Brentwood Village Kincumber on the Central Coast in NSW. He receives a Level 2 Home Care Package (for low care needs) which he uses for social support.

Every Sunday for one to two hours Don’s Care Worker, Lisa Seaman has a coffee with him, takes him out to lunch or being a passionate gardener, she drives Don to Bunnings to check out the incredible range of pots and plants.

Last Sunday was special. Don’s daughter, Sheryl rang Care Advisor, Lynn Pascoe to ask if she could arrange for Don to meet up with her and husband, Murray, while they were in Sydney as part of their sailing expedition around Australia. It was also going to be an opportunity for Don to spend quality time with his grandson Ben who was going overseas for the next six months.

Sheryl and Murray had wanted to travel for a long time and have since embarked on an exciting adventure. “The timing was right, and it was a matter of now or never,” said Sheryl. They have given up their working life, retired early and become ‘Blue Nomads’ – a term they refer to for living ‘aboard’ and sailing a catamaran around Australia, instead of a caravan.

Lynn was more than happy to fulfil Sheryl’s request and helped organise the family get-together.
Lisa then picked Don up from Brentwood Village, drove him to Sydney, where he met his family and enjoyed having lunch with them, and drove him home again.

“He is still reminiscing,” said his Care Worker, Lisa.

“Enhancing our clients’ lives is why we get up every day and do what we do. It’s wonderful that we could meet Don’s needs through a Home Care Package which provides room for personalised and targeted care services for senior Australians who want to stay at home,” said Lynn.

“Accompanying and transporting Don to connect with his loved ones and creating precious family time enhances his quality of life. Quality care, compassion and kindness are who we are. Of course, Don was thrilled. He won’t stop talking about his weekend in Sydney,” she added.

Strategic Business Manager, Brita van Heyst, who leads the Catholic Healthcare and Lendlease partnership on behalf of community said, “It’s wonderful to see the value we add in ensuring the residents have access to services when needed to enable them to stay happy, healthy and supported in their Village.”

Since July 2017, Lendlease has engaged Catholic Healthcare to deliver products and services to their residents to provide ongoing health and wellbeing.

Catholic Healthcare’s home care services are designed to empower you to maintain your lifestyle at home. Call 1800 225 474 to find out more.

Pictured is Don (centre) with his son-in-law, daughter and grandson at Birkenhead Point.