There’s a lot to be said for empowering people through what they really love to do – and that’s something we aim for with our Home Care Packages, designed to support people and maintain their independence.  

Ron Hall is 77 years old and still maintaining his nine-acre property near Toowoomba with the help of his wife Shirley and some specialised equipment. 

A typical farmer who’s worked outside all his life, Ron now has Parkinson’s and is a little hard of hearing but his wife Shirley says staying on their property is what keeps him going. 

“Ron wouldn’t be here if he didn’t have something to do. He’s worked outside his whole life and he needs to keep doing it,” says Shirley. 

 Nartarlie Potter is Ron’s Feros Care Wellbeing Manager and arranged for his funding to be spent on tools and equipment to help his garden maintenance. This was instead of opting for a gardener, which some people choose to do on government-funded Home Care Package.  

“Once Ron found out he could get this gardening stuff he was like a pig in mud,” says Shirley. 

“He raced into the mower shop to pick up a catalogue and see what was available. With his Parkinson’s the pull-start on his old equipment was just too difficult, but now everything is electric so he can do it all himself. 

Why choice is so important  

Empowering people through choice is what drives Nartarlie Potter in her role as Wellbeing Manager for the Darling Downs region. 

The registered nurse is passionate about equal access to services across Australia and has extensive experience as a clinical and community nurse in rural areas. 

“Choice gives hope and provides the motivation to stay healthy and remain independent as it reassures people that support is available,” says Natarlie.   

Natarlie says choice isn’t just about whether or not you remain in your own home, it’s about how you remain there – what services you want, what supports you need, how connected you want to stay to your community and what goals you want to set as you age. 

She says Feros Care’s holistic care model - focusing on helping people set and achieve goals is a simple and effective approach to keeping people healthy. 

“Unlike some other providers, Feros Care doesn’t just send a carer to shower someone three times a week for the rest of their life,” says Natarlie. 

“Ensuring they retain as much independence as possible is important so we don’t do things for them, but with them. 

The magic of believing in someone  

Natarlie firmly believes that people appreciate it when you trust them to do things for themselves.   

“Showing belief in somebody has such a profound flow-on effect both physically and emotionally. It gives people confidence and it’s usually confidence that is holding them back from achieving a goal.” 

In Ron’s case, he has used his Home Care Package funding to get a new mower, a hedger, pruner and a special trailer for the back of the motorbike and he loves it.  

“Rather than take tasks off him for someone else to do, it’s giving him the tools to be able to keep doing what he loves.  

“It keeps him occupied and it keeps him healthier because he’s using his muscles. It’s marvellous what he can do compared to other people with his condition and he’s often out from sunrise until after dark.” 

The flexibility of a Home Care Package 

Natarlie says finding ways to help people like Ron achieve their goals was extremely rewarding for everyone involved – herself, the client and their family. 

“What’s so great about Feros Care Home Care Packages is their flexibility which gives clients the ability to prioritise what’s important to them as a person,” she says.  

“Ron is a great example of how we were able to adapt his package to help him achieve his goal of maintaining his property independently.” 

Natarlie says having worked as a nurse for decades she has seen many different ways of thinking but Feros Care’s goal-orientated approach is the most effective. 

“The main goal of all my clients is to stay in their own home,” she says. “As the provider, it is our role to do everything in our power to make that possible and we do this by looking after their mental, physical, emotional, social and spiritual wellbeing. 

“It’s one of the most important jobs in the world and it’s a privilege to do it.” 

To find out more about our Home Care Package options, click here.