Calvary Service Centre Manager Home Care Flinders Far North, Fiona Williams said care was tailored to a client’s specific needs to remain safe and well in their own home, so developing partnerships with locally-based providers were a valuable addition to creating certainty.

“In regional, rural and hard-to-reach areas, like the Flinders Far North region, home care becomes an even more valuable service as many of our clients can be quite isolated.”

“Our home care teams undertake a comprehensive assessment of clients to understand their current needs and goals, to help consider what they may need in the future and determine what they can access with their home care packages.”

Calvary and Independence At Home

Ms Williams said connecting clients with local service Independence At Home for clinical OT care following the Calvary assessment helped to reduce wait times from an average of six to three weeks in the region.

Independence At Home OT, Beshara Saad, affectionately known as “Bish”, said over the last 12 months working with Calvary had enabled a significant shift in meeting the needs of regional clients.

“Historically in the country you don’t get home modifications, equipment and experienced clinicians, but our partnership with Calvary is delivering a quality service that is giving clients choice, breaking down the barriers to accessing equipment and modifications, and ultimately reducing falls risks and improving safety,” Mr Saad said.

He added that simple changes like allowing a client to physically trial a range of recliner chairs from the comfort of their own home, rather than simply selecting an item from a brochure, had a significant impact on long-term outcomes.

“As an OT, Calvary connects me with the client and I conduct an initial assessment, including reviewing safety, to determine their needs. At the same time, I set up a showroom of equipment for the client to test and try so we can be sure they are getting exactly what they need at that point in time to suit their needs,” Mr Saad said.

Introducing client Margaret Glidden

Calvary Home Care client and Whyalla resident Margaret Glidden has been receiving fortnightly domestic services from Calvary for the past three years, but a recent home nurse visit through her home care package led to her first occupational therapy assessment from Bish.

“I’m having trouble bending over now, but this has been my home since 1981, and I don’t want to leave.”

“It was wonderful to be spoken to about my choices for my care and then have this set up at home so I could try out the chairs, as well as learn of other things I can get assistance for,” the 85-year-old said.

Ms Williams said it was important older people in regional areas had access to timely and suitable services to support their needs.

“Calvary Home Care in South Australia has a proud reputation of providing personal care, domestic services, acute nursing care and allied health services and we are committed to improving access to this support and care for our regional clients,” Ms Williams said.

Calvary Health Care is also encouraging older people to consider getting assessed for their home care packages before the funding changes come into effect on 1 July, 2025.