Lenna and John Cannell are loving life and looking forward to celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary next year.
Lenna has diabetes and problems with her back and heart, and John has arthritis and other health issues, and each are on a home care package through Uniting AgeWell which affords them help with housework at their retirement village unit in the Kingston area of Hobart.
The retired butcher and parking and information officer spends his days reading, playing bowls and doing the garden, while Lenna, a retired chiropractic clinic manager, is never happier than when knitting for the family.
“I’m very meticulous when it comes to having a clean house,” Lenna says, “and I can’t speak highly enough of Uniting AgeWell. Nothing is too much trouble for them, they are fantastic!”
The couple also bought a computer tablet through Uniting AgeWell and enjoy zooming with friends across Australia. Their children and grandchildren are all in Tasmania, and they also love going out to lunch with friends. And you’ve guessed it – steak is John’s favourite meal!
Meanwhile Pamela Tyrrell, 73, gets help with housework, gardening and podiatry on her home care package through Uniting AgeWell and has nothing but praise for Uniting AgeWell’s services and level of care.
She lives in a little unit in a retirement complex in Kingston and lives for her family, who are in Tasmania, Victoria and Queensland. Pamela spent her whole life working as a carer for people with intellectual disabilities, a role she found very rewarding. She has a huge heart and has also volunteered at Red Cross and at the Uniting Church for many years.
Uniting AgeWell Program Manager Home Care Southern Tasmania Ria Padman says they’re happy to assist people with information about home care packages and support them to register with My Aged Care and through the assessment - a process which many find daunting.
And Ria says they’re seeing a greater need for social services from clients keen to socialise more now that pandemic restrictions have eased. This can entail outings, trips to the shops, or simply going out for a cup of coffee with a carer.
Ria says Uniting AgeWell provides a continuum of care in Hobart.
In addition to home care services supporting people with both low and high level needs including nursing care to continue living independently at home, there are day activities and outings offered through the Hobart AgeWell Centre; independent living units in Kingston, Sandy Bay, New Town, Mornington, Montrose, Berriedale and Sorell; and five residential care facilities offering 24/7 care and support including specialist dementia and palliative care: Lillian Martin in Mornington, Queenborough Rise in Sandy Bay, Ningana in Sorell and the Rosetta Communities of Strathaven and Strathglen.
Respite care and support is also available in people’s own homes and in Uniting AgeWell residential facilities.
For further information about how Uniting AgeWell can support you to live well and tailor services to suit your needs, phone (03) 6289 8800; and check out our links to independent living here https://unitingagewell.org/our-services/independent-retirement-living and to residential facilities here https://unitingagewell.org/our-services/residential-care