“The support we’re getting is first class”: The life-changing services Jim receives through his Home Care Package

80-year-old Jim knows that life isn’t always easy, however he was lucky enough to meet Simon Kelly, a Feros Care Wellbeing Manager, who knows how important it is to always have someone in your corner.

Due to his chronic nerve pain, there are some days when Jim struggles with day to day tasks, even when it’s as simple as getting out of bed.

However, through Jim’s government-funded Home Care Package with Feros Care, life has changed – for the better.

His Wellbeing Manager, Simon, arranged physiotherapy and acupuncture to help ease Jim’s pain, plus organised other support services for he and his wife Patricia. These include house cleaning and technological support, helping them both live happier and more connected lives in their much-loved home.

That feeling when someone knows how to help

When Jim talks about Simon, you can hear the genuine warmth in his voice.

“You know Simon’s got your back,” says Jim. “He’s the type of bloke where his word is his bond and that makes all the difference.”

“He does his job and you’ve got assurance about him all the time which takes the pressure off us. And the support we’re getting is just first class.”

The respect is mutual, with Simon describing Jim as ‘stoic and happy’, and his wife Patricia as ‘a joy’.

“Although Jim is in a lot of pain, he’s still always happy and Pat is just so appreciative. They never complain and are always positive despite their struggles,” says Simon.

“I’m lucky to work for Feros Care because it means all my clients are appreciative thanks to the timely and consistent service they receive.”

Being an advocate for those who need it most

Simon has dedicated two decades to helping the vulnerable, from youth, to the homeless, and now older Australians.

He says his work in delivering Home Care Packages to seniors is about empowering them to live more fulfilling lives, and being an advocate to ensure they get the supports they need to do so.

“The role you play in their lives, particularly when they’re isolated, is huge,” he says.

“You’re everything to that person. They need somebody to stick up for them and really make sure they are getting everything they need and deserve.”

“I’m an advocate for these people and I feel honoured to be in such a privileged position.”

The Feros Care difference

Simon has experienced many of his clients switching to Feros Care from previous providers – and loving the results.

“At Feros, we are lucky enough to have a large team of long-term staff. Our clients have very high consistency in carers, which is a really big thing, especially for people with dementia.”

Consistent staff and familiar, trusted faces is something Patricia is grateful for, as it means she can maintain friendships and doesn’t have to continually explain what’s needed.

“The same lady comes fortnightly to clean our house which is a huge weight off my shoulders, especially with my emphysema,” she says.

“Jim gets physiotherapy and acupuncture in the home which has been amazing for him and I know that down the track, I may need this too, so it’s peace of mind knowing how easy it is to ask Simon to make it happen.”

Connecting, learning, and thriving with technology

Jim and Pat have also used their Home Care Package to fund training on an iPad. They asked Simon to arrange lessons for them through our Let’s Get Technical program, allowing them to email and video call their family.

“I’m no bright spark when it comes to modern technology, but my Feros teacher is very patient and it’s all falling into place bit by bit,” Pat says.

Simon believes being able to provide innovative programs, like Let’s Get Technical and individualised support, is what makes his job so satisfying.

“It’s so good to be able to see the positive impacts of your work,” he says.

Whether you’d like to watch your favourite TV shows online, learn how to use email, do your banking online, shop online, or keep in touch with loved ones like Jim and Pat, Let’s Get Technical can help – even if you’ve never used a device!

So many services…so MUCH time!

Physiotherapy, acupuncture, domestic help, and technology support is just the tip of the iceberg.

“Feros Care invests time and resources into our clients whether it’s to teach them a new skill, reconnect them with an old hobby, regain independence, or connect them with family and community,” says Simon.

He continues; “It’s all designed to keep people engaged, happy, and healthy. Ultimately, we want our clients to be where they’re comfortable and for most people, that’s in their own home.”

Such services include aids and handy gadgets to help make daily life safer and easier, personal and emergency alarms for safety and peace of mind, home modifications to keep you safe at home, Allied Health Groups to help you stay active and meet new people, social groups for interaction with like-minded people, individual social outings with a qualified Community Support Worker, in-home and virtual nursing, and so much more.

“What’s fortunate is that there is a provider like Feros Care, who is so dedicated to this cause that it invests and innovates to empower people to become better, and improve their quality of life,” says Simon.

Jim couldn’t agree more: “What other company in the world would do this for you?” he asks happily.

If you’d like to find out more about what your Home Care Package could be doing for you, click here to learn about our many products and services. Or, call our friendly team on 1300 461 461.