Staying Mobile with New Wheels

When Carole Johnson was hit by several severe strokes sixteen years ago, her husband Bill took on the responsibility of caring for her. In 2011, Carole took up a Home Care Package with aged care provider Southern Cross Care (Vic) to provide her with more support. 

Carole’s health has declined over the years, leaving her reliant on her wheelchair or on Bill for most day-to-day activities. At 76, Bill is no longer able to physically assist Carole from her wheelchair to their car, when the need arises.

As a result, Bill has been seeking to purchase a wheelchair-friendly vehicle. Despite searching for more than a year, Bill was unable to find anything suitable or within his financial means.

“Prices are mostly around $15,000 and upwards. Occasionally a bargain appears but they are usually snapped up fairly quickly especially when they are advertised on mainstream vehicle websites. Sellers were also not prepared to hold the vehicles for us while we go through the authorisation process to use the unspent funds from Carole’s package,” said Bill.

With a stroke of luck, Bill finally found a suitable vehicle which had been modified for wheelchair transportation in May. The vehicle has a hydraulic wheelchair lifter and retractable wheelchair restraints, and can accommodate one wheelchair passenger, the driver and two other passengers.

Both Carole and Bill were ecstatic with their new vehicle, which Bill was able to afford with subsidised funds from Carole’s Home Care Package. The subsidised funds covered the fair value of the vehicle’s existing modifications, therefore Bill only needed to pay the balance of the vehicle price.

Home Care Packages are delivered on a Consumer Directed Care basis. This means clients get more say in the care and services accessed, and how they are delivered.

“Carole’s package gave us immediate access to the necessary funds and there are no lengthy waiting lists,” said Bill, who manages Carole’s package. It also gives us greater choice and control over the services that Carole receives and the delivery of those services, which we are very happy about.”

Click here to find out more about Southern Cross Care (Vic)'s home care services.