Rose lived an active life. She once had a large property in Oratia with animals and a sizable garden. It was after having shoulder replacement surgery that her life changed. With limited strength and being unable to lift her arms above her shoulders, she found many of the household tasks she’d once taken for granted were no longer possible.
It was while I was in hospital after my surgery that my occupational therapist suggested I have caregivers to help me with the day-to-day tasks that I could no longer do. I started with another company and then, once my ACC ran out, my doctor organised a visit from Visionwest.
That was ten years ago. Now in a smaller property, Rose has had Visionwest caregivers supporting her for over a decade.
My doctor arranged it and one day a lovely lady from Visionwest Home Healthcare turned up at my door. I’d been assessed as needing help with all those chores that needed shoulder strength or required me to reach up high. Initially, the most important thing was showering. I was in a sling for six weeks and so couldn’t do that myself but there were also other tasks that were just impossible for me, and some that I’m still unable to do.
For Rose, those impossible tasks involve housework: vacuuming (her shoulders mean she doesn’t have the strength to push the vacuum around), laundry (she can’t reach up to hang items out to dry) and bedmaking (which requires shoulder movement and strength she doesn’t have).
At one time, I had to get the caregivers to help me out of chairs and everything else. My legs went completely on me, and I just couldn’t get out of my chair. Fortunately, when it first happened, my caregiver was here and rang an ambulance for me.
Oh, and I have shopping too. I’ve got a lovely caregiver who takes me shopping, which is wonderful. Because of my limited movement I can’t reach things in the store or manage to put things away properly. When it comes to making my meals, I plan in advance and my caregiver gets down the items I’m going to need.
Rose is like many people who are supported by Visionwest Home Healthcare; in many ways she seems fit and healthy. However, that one challenge to her mobility, her shoulder surgery, means she struggles with tasks most of us take for granted.
I’m fortunate really. There are many worse off than me. I go water walking and do exercises to ensure I keep going as best as I can. If I didn’t do that, my legs would seize up completely. I have a walker there and crutches for when I need them and I try and walk as much as possible but going up and down stairs is impossible. The hospital installed a ramp at my house otherwise I’d be unable to get inside.
Rose and her Support Workers
It takes a special person to be a Support Worker and Rose agrees. She says she’s been very fortunate with all her Visionwest caregivers and is quick to respond when asked about the difference her Support Workers have made in her life.
They’ve given me confidence. They’ve raised my self-esteem, and they’ve made life so much easier for me. I’ve got no worries with them looking after me. They’ll do anything I ask, within limits, of course. Every time they come, as they prepare to leave, they’ll ask, ‘Is there anything else you want done?’ And that’s amazing, isn’t it?
Visionwest’s Home Healthcare service is amazing, it really is. They’ve got your wellbeing at heart all the way, there’s no two ways about that. It’s an amazing organisation and the unbelievable part is I don’t even pay anything for it. You know, for me, it’s a free service. It’s been a godsend, I have to be honest, it really is a godsend.
As Rose continues to talk about Visionwest and her Support Workers, she touches on the very essence of why Visionwest Home Healthcare is such a vital community service; it enables older adults and people living with a disability to remain in the comfort and security of their own homes.
When I think about the difference Visionwest Home Healthcare has made in my life I immediately think of freedom for a start. And peace of mind. And that the visits keep me mentally attuned. You know, a person could get so depressed if you didn’t have somebody coming each day for you. Even if it was just to sit and talk or share a cup of tea.
If it wasn’t for Visionwest, I’d probably be in a rest home. With Visionwest, I’ve still got my independence, which is great. I love my own home. I have to be honest here, it would be tough physically and mentally without the help of my caregivers. They’ve given me the incentive to keep going in life. It’s true … the incentive of being able to stay in my own home keeps me going and that’s all thanks to Visionwest and my caregivers.
Read the story of Jess, one of Visionwest Home Healthcare Support Workers.
Rose and Shinako
As an example of how compassionate her caregivers are, Rose tells the story of Shinako who was Rose’s caregiver when her legs gave out on her. Going the extra mile to help Rose, Shinako brought around a leg massager. Rose describes it as “amazing.” She couldn’t believe that Shinako had thought to bring it over to help her get her legs moving again.
All my caregivers are the same. Always going the extra mile. If I’m getting out of a chair, they see me and ask if I’m alright. When I’m out shopping, they have an eye out for me all the time. They’ll get one of the trolleys for me and check I’m okay holding onto it for balance. In the store, they reach up and get all my veggies and the things I can’t reach. I’d be lost without them.
In her working days, Rose was a pattern maker and dress designer. She enjoyed square dancing and made all her own dancing dresses complete with fancy frills and bows. She spent time working in England. Today she realises that those days of activity are behind her, and she has a word for those who are like her.
I would advise any person who has a need around home to give Visionwest a call. Go to your doctor and get a referral and contact Visionwest. They will give you your independence back again.
The service Visionwest provides is quite amazing and I’m very grateful for it. Very, very grateful.
Read another inspirational story about a client of Visionwest Home Healthcare.
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Last year, Visionwest Home Healthcare provided 1,298,834 hours of in-home healthcare throughout Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland (West and North), Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Rotorua/Taupō.
Find out more about Visionwest Home Healthcare and the services we provide.
**We understand that it is a great privilege when someone generously agrees to share their story. This blog and other material is shared with Rose’s permission and we thank her for her generosity.