Confidence Through Continuity of Care

The past four years have been quite the roller coaster for Glenese Gray – navigating the declining health of her husband and her own growing health challenges. Alongside many medical professionals, Carinity Home Care continues to be a pillar, providing Glenese care, support and confidence as life takes its twists and turns.

Carinity first started supporting Glenese and her husband Rod with fortnightly cleaning of their Brisbane home. Five years later, when Glenese was scheduled for open heart surgery, they engaged Carinity Home Care to take over as Rod’s primary carer.

When Rod sadly passed away, Carinity recognised that Glenese would still need some of the support Rod had been receiving. Carinity guided Glenese through her own home care assessment process – and ensured continuity of her house cleaning and gardening through a Government-funded home care package.

The familiar, trusted faces of Rod’s carers provided Glenese so much more support than just help at home.

They have been the cog keeping the wheels moving during a very challenging time.

“Tammy was Rod’s main carer, and she continued as my carer. I really couldn’t have got through that time without her – she helped me no end. She knew me well and never missed when I was teary, or when things were getting hard for me,” Glenese said.

Since Glenese’s heart surgery, Carinity has evolved her support, ensuring she remains living independently and safely at home. Twelve months ago, Glenese made the decision to stop driving due to intermittent blindness.

“The Carinity team always said that when I didn’t feel I wanted to drive anymore they were here to help me. While I miss the independence to pop down to Bunnings to buy a plant, I am grateful that Carinity are always there, willing and able to help when I ask for something extra,” she says.

As Glenese focuses on sustaining her health, having Carinity carers collect scripts from the chemist, take her to specialist appointments and weekly supermarket trips has lightened the weight of staying on top of everything.

Glenese’s carer, Onica Whigham, visits weekly. They enjoy each other’s company and always start their time together with a chat and catch up before Onica drives them to the local supermarket.

“Onica is easy to talk to and having her with me at the shops gives me enormous confidence. 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,” Glenese said.

“Last week Onica helped me buy some clothes online. What I’ve really missed, and want to do again when my upgraded home care package is available, is to walk leisurely through the shops and stop and have a coffee.”

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