Jack and Elsie's story

They had worked hard at their family-run accounting business and were very active. They had always done everything together.

Jack and Elsie had made it very clear they wanted to stay in their home together forever.  

But, when Jack was in his early 70s, he started losing strength in his hands due to arthritis. He also developed hip pain, was told he needed to have a hip replacement, and placed on a waiting list. Around the same time Elsie was diagnosed with cataracts and was also placed on a waiting list. These changes made them feel less safe at home.

Between them they could manage at home with a little help from their family, however they were always so tired from doing just their daily tasks. Their home was no longer as clean and tidy as it had been, and their garden was overgrown. Things like broken light bulbs would go unchanged and their fire alarm batteries would go flat. Their children became concerned they were no longer coping at home with their everyday tasks.

Jack and Elsie's daughter referred them to My Aged Care for an assessment. They were both assessed and approved for services through the Commonwealth Home Support Program.

They settled on a local provider in their area they liked. The provider organised a care worker to come in once a week to help clean the house, and someone visited fortnightly to do some light gardening and mow their lawn. A chair raiser was installed to help Jack get off his chair and an over-toilet frame helped him get off the toilet. These also helped Jack during his recovery from surgery.