St Ives Home Care - Healthy & Happy at Home

Our WA Manager for Home Care, Emma Brierty talks to Chris Ilsley from 6PR about the latest home care reforms coming into place on February 27. From this date, the Federal Government will implement changes to allow older Australians greater control of money spent to help keep them living at home. Emma chats with Chris about the upcoming changes and how they will impact people looking to access home care services. During her discussion with Chris, Emma also talks about the choice of home care services available to older Australians and how these services enhance their independence at home. You can read more about the reforms to home care on our website where Michelle De Ronchi, Chief Executive Officer for St Ives Home Care, shares her thoughts on these changes and how they might impact the wider industry: bit.ly/2lizj8R

Julie Soulis is an inspiration at 84. With family and loved ones no longer living close by, she took to learning social media and the Internet with a fervour. She now enjoys researching the things that interest her online and keeping in touch with her grand kids via Facebook. For Julie, learning a new skill and accepting support has been life changing. Host Joanna Maxwell also speaks to Leesa Potter, General Manager Eastern States, who sums up the series nicely by talking about the benefits of asking for help when you need it. Getting support will actually help you keep your independence, not lose it.

80 year old Brian has kept a busy and active lifestyle, his wife and he having fostered 242 children and proudly winning 'Pride of Australia' in 2006. The ever positive and contagiously bright Brian talks about the things that give him joy and satisfaction and how home care assists in helping him get the most out of life at home. Wellness and Activity specialist Jan Stuelcken also talks to host Joanna Maxwell about the benefits of activity, enjoying hobbies and staying creative and how "grabbing life with both hands" can make your life that much more rewarding.

Having a sense of purpose and control in your life is really important. It doesn’t have to be a grand thing, but finding that balance of adaptability and self-directedness can help you live longer and make you happier too. Host Joanna Maxwell speaks to Anna Ayesha, a 67-year-old whose recent car accident left her needing day-to-day help. As a true individual who doesn’t want to slow down, Anna shares how home care has not only helped her keep her quality of life, but has also given her time to herself to do the things she really loves. Joanna Maxwell also speaks to general manager Emma Brierty who explains the role of home care providers in promoting people’s independence as they and their families adjust to change.

Strong relationships are critical to ageing well. They provide social interaction, intimacy as well as practical and emotional support. Research shows that if you are part of a couple, your happiness will rise and fall in sync with your partner, especially if you’ve been together for a long time. Presenter Joanna Maxwell speaks to couple Clara and Joseph, who are in their early 80s. The couple moved to Australia from Egypt 50 years ago and have been together for over 60 years. Clara and Joseph share the importance of family relationships in their life and how accessing home care services has helped them continue their lives, hold onto their independence and stay living together in their family home.

Our WA General Manager for Home Care Emma Brierty shares her thoughts with Chris Isley from 6PR about the critical role of the carer in home care. Following up from National Carer's Week in October, Emma chats with Chris about the important contribution carers make to our economy and highlights their integral role in helping our older population age at home on their terms. Emma also discussed with Chris how considering carers' needs is particularly important when putting together a home care package that supports the whole family. The interview follows on from the release of the first episode from our Path to Independence series featuring clients Jack and daughter Kim discussing their carer relationship. You can continue listening on to hear episodes from this podcast.

"Make everyday a favourite day!" shares 74 years young Di Tranter, a quote from Winnie the Pooh. Di talks to host Joanna Maxwell how a recent major surgery led her to consider more home care services and describes how these decisions impact her daily life, sharing her positive and inspirational outlook on enjoying life, care and relationships. We learn from Di's story that home care is very individual, it is not a cookie cutter thing. It puts older people in control of the important decisions, their provider, the budget, their care plan. A home care package is based around your own goals and interests. What is meaningful to you and will help you stay at home, and avoid hospital and residential care. Joanna Maxwell also speaks to case manager Deb Johnson who explains a little bit about what to expect from home care services and how home care packages can be used in unexpected ways.

Kim has recently moved back to the family home in New South Wales, Australia to help her 91 year old father Jack and is finding her new role as a carer in her dad's life both rewarding and challenging. Episode 1 in our 6 part 'Path to Independence' series explores the carer relationship, the impact on both the carer and the person they are providing care to and the services available to support both carers and their loved ones in the home. Plus host Joanna Maxwell talks to psychotherapist and counsellor Alex Roberts about tips on getting the most out of a carer relationship and how to avoid "care giver's burnout". - Path to Independence: Home care from the carer's perspective, with Jack, daughter Kim and host Joanna Maxwell (ep 1/6)

St Ives Home Care COO, Michelle De Ronchi talks to 6PR radio host Chris Ilsley about how the new bespoke St Ives Home Care Connect app is helping Australian seniors to stay healthy, happy and safe at home. This interview aired on 12th September 2016 on the Perth Tonight programme.