Stella’s story

She started feeling dizzy and found it harder to move around. She also started having muscle cramps and pain. Stella was worried about her dizzy spells.

Her husband John had always been her support, but when her needs increased, his caring role became harder. John worried he wouldn’t be able to look after her on his own, along with managing the house and his own care. John called My Aged Care to arrange an aged care assessment for Stella.  

An assessor came to their home and conducted an assessment that considered her preferences and needs before approving her for the Support at Home program. Stella received a letter that said she was allocated funding for services including separate funding for home modifications. John and Stella chose a Support at Home provider they felt most comfortable with and who could deliver the services they needed.

John and Stella worked together with their Support at Home care partner to develop a care plan. This plan included support with shopping and cleaning. It also included a weekly appointment with a physiotherapist to help Stella manage her muscle cramps and improve her balance and gait. An allied health assistant also did daily exercises with her for a few weeks.

Stella’s cramps made it hard for her to shower and dress, so the provider arranged for a personal care worker to help her, and a nursing review to help Stella manage her Parkinson's medications. The provider also arranged to get handrails installed in the bathroom and other parts of the house.  

Thanks to all these services, Stella felt much more involved and confident in her daily routine at home. She was able to take part in decisions about her care, which made her feel more in control. The extra support also gave John some time to spend on his self-care, which meant that he could take better care of Stella when she needed it.