A cup of tea and a chat with a longtime local is bringing connectedness and joy to the elderly in Proserpine.
Christine Lade is part of the Whitsunday Homecare team which provides basic support services, including domestic assistance and social support, to about 250 clients across the region.
She helps seniors maintain their dignity and stay in their own homes for longer by assisting with housework, transport, company and personal care. She also offers a friendly ear, empathy and compassion.
For the last 14 years she has been travelling more than 100km every day, visiting on average five clients aged between 65 and 97. She travels as far as Midge Point and Conway Beach.
Sometimes Christine is the only person an elderly client can see in a week, so it was inevitable you developed a warm and friendly relationship, often becoming an intimate part of their lives.
“They become like part of your family,” she said.
“It’s really good listening to some of their stories and they tell you all about their life and family. It’s nice to put some joy into their lives and see the excitement on their faces when you visit.”
Each client had a care plan which detailed what they needed help with.
“It’s different for everybody; some have social needs and just want bit of company and to have a cup of tea and a chat because they are so lonely. Others need help with showering or with some of the daily housework,” Christine said.
“Something so little to us can be so huge for them; it’s simple, everyday tasks or even taking them shopping. They always really appreciate the company and you doing simple things for them like vacuuming and mopping as it is something they really struggle with.”
Caring has been a big part of Christine’s life. She has lived in Proserpine all her life and raised five daughters with her husband on the family cane farm. Her daughters, aged from 33 to 24 and two of which are nurses, still live locally with her six grandchildren.
Being a long-time local helps Christine connect with the region’s elderly residents.
“We have shared history. I know a lot of them and they know my family too,” she said.
“A sense of humour is important in this role,” she said, “as laughter really is the best medicine”.
Home Care Whitsunday was a service vital to the physical and mental wellbeing of elderly residents, Christine said.
“It’s pretty important to keep people in their homes. A lot of old people are petrified to go to hospital because they think they’ll be forced to go into a nursing home,” she said.
“Both the clients and their family really appreciate what we do. It’s help which can keep them out of care and allows families to enjoy being just that, family, and not a carer.
“I really enjoy my day; I always just love going to work.”
