Cheryl and Rob Hicks have lived in their Echuca family home for nearly thirty years and know and love every square inch of it.
And Cheryl is particularly grateful for this now that macular degeneration has significantly impaired her vision. “I use a walker and I know my way around the house and the garden,” Cheryl says. “I know where everything is … I certainly should after all these years! I just don’t want to live anywhere else.”
And they don’t have to, thanks to their home care packages through Uniting AgeWell. Rob, 75, and Cheryl, 71 are both on level 2 packages.
Both have severe arthritis and use walkers, and Rob also gets personal care after suffering a stroke. They get help around the house and the garden and get taken on shopping excursions and to medical appointments as neither of them drive. Cheryl also has social support with a companion each week – something she found invaluable especially during the lockdowns that Victoria see-sawed in and out of.
Cheryl has also worked with Uniting AgeWell to adjust her package to create a safer home environment. A ramp was installed to the front door, and the shower has been specially modified.
“I’m very happy. I enjoy listening to sport on television, even though I can’t really see well enough to watch it,” Cheryl says. “And I manage to prepare the evening meals with a little help from Rob. Good plain food, we aren’t fancy people.”
And she cannot speak highly enough of Uniting AgeWell. “Going with them is the best thing we’ve ever done,” Cheryl says. “The care and service they give us is excellent! Nothing is too much trouble for them, they are absolutely wonderful. From the care manager Debra Jones to our direct care worker, Kevin. They’re all great!”
Rob agrees. He’s enjoying life watching sport on television and tending to his veggie patch. Working the land is in his blood and the little garden with its tomatoes and cucumbers gives him great joy. He’s been a farmer all his life, working on the family farm in the area.
Both Rob and Cheryl grew up on farms, but after their daughter, Catherine was born, Cheryl stayed at home to look after her. Rob and Cheryl have been married for 45 years and their two grandsons, who are in their early 20’s, are their pride and joy.
Kevin Pascoe is their Home Care Worker who comes four days a week. He used to own his own panel beating and car repair shop, but gave it up when he severed the tendons in his hand after an accident with an angle grinder.
Kevin studied Cert 1V in Aged Care and Disability and hasn’t looked back. He’s been with Uniting AgeWell for two years, and couldn’t be happier. “I relate to older people,” he says. “It’s a joy being able to help people.”
Kevin is delighted to live and work in Echuca – an area he loves with a passion. “I moved up here thirty years ago,” Kevin says, “It’s home.”
Kevin, a grandfather himself, says he feels supported by Uniting AgeWell. “They’re a good company to work for,” he says. “They genuinely care and are constantly upskilling staff.”
He’s not exaggerating. Home Care Workers undertake continual training and improvement courses and programs, to be the best that they can. And this even includes the opportunity to obtain a certificate for a dementia course through the University of Tasmania – for free! – thanks to the partnership between Uniting AgeWell and the university.
Uniting AgeWell Program Manager for the region, Natasha Crimmins, says people in the vast area love where they live, and affording them the opportunity to live well at home for as long as they want is her top priority.
“Basically, we look at our client’s needs, and then see how we can adjust and tweak the package to work for them,” she says. “We always put our clients firmly in the front and centre of everything. And upskilling staff improves our services, it’s a win-win situation.”
Learn more about Uniting AgeWell Home Care