Home is where the heart is, but for Glenese Gray her home also provides familiarity, freedom, comfort and security.
"If it's a lovely day I can go outside and have a pick in the garden. I can choose what I want to watch on the television, and when I want to watch it; I can listen to music, whatever I like!" Glenese says.
However, being at home is not something she takes for granted.
The past six years have been quite the roller coaster for Glenese as she navigated both the declining health
of her husband, Rod, and her own growing health challenges.
Alongside many medical professionals, Carinity Home Care has been a pillar, providing Glenese care, support and confidence as life takes its twists and turns.
The importance of caring for Rod at home, and allowing Glenese to continue to be Rod's primary carer, was key in their decision to commence receiving in home support services through Carinity.
Five years later, in 2018, when Glenese was scheduled for open heart surgery, Carinity Home Care took over as Rod's primary carer, providing a full range of support and coordination of Rod's care under a
Government-subsidised home care package.
"After talking with a number of providers, we chose Carinity Home Care to support Rod with personal care and getting him to doctors' appointments, as well as gardening and house cleaning," Glenese said.
"While Carinity had been providing us cleaning for five years, we chose them because they really understood the Government-funded process, and how to ensure Rod could receive all the care he needed."
Unfortunately, just two months after Rod's support from Carinity Home Care was put in place, he passed away. Recognising Glenese would still need some of the support Rod had previously been receiving, Carinity stepped in and guided Glenese through her own home care assessment process.
This ensured continuity of her house cleaning and gardening through a Government-funded home care package.
"After my surgery and rehabilitation I just wanted to get home to my own place. The doctors only let me return home knowing that I had home support services organised."
Since Glenese's heart surgery Carinity have evolved her support as her situation changed, ensuring she remains living independently and safely at home. With the recent decision to stop driving, Carinity have also added support with shopping, script collection and attending medical appointments with Glenese.
"Without Carinity I would feel very guilty. It would put a lot of demand on my daughter and interrupt her family's busy life. Carinity have filled in many times when family can't be there - like appointments and events that fall in the middle of the day."
One of Glenese's carers, Onica, visits her every Wednesday. They enjoy each other's company and always start their time together with a chat and catch up before heading across to the
local supermarket.
"Onica is easy to talk to and having her with me at the shops gives me enormous confidence to be out. At times I can feel giddy, and it's good to know I can just stop and know Onica is there to take over when I need her.
"The company is also really good. When my carers come, they've always got so much to share, whether it's about their studies, family, sports, cars, or whatever is going on at that time. It leaves with me feeling like I am living and staying connected with the outside world.
"They're quick to pick up if I'm not feeling well. They know how important it is for me to get out. If I'm not up for walking around the supermarket they'll get me out for a drive to the shops in the sunshine, and they'll pop
in and get the groceries," Glenese said.
"Carinity have allowed me to stop in my home. Carinity check that I am right, that I have everything that I need. Without Carinity's help I would be lost. I like to be in my own home, and I hope to stop here for
many a day yet."
