Colleen’s life was full of strength, independence, and resilience – but it was also becoming harder. After living in Australia for 23 years, she returned to Aotearoa and settled in Hamilton. Since then, her health has declined.
“I’ve had open heart surgery. I’ve got a pacemaker,” she says. “I’ve just gotten over bronchitis.”
With asthma, lung disease, balance issues, and increasing difficulty moving around, daily tasks that had once been simple began to take more effort. “I still do a lot myself,” Colleen says, “but my balance isn’t good, and I’m a bit doddery, and I go so slow.”
Colleen clearly remembers meeting Ashley, one of her main support workers from Visionwest. “Yeah, Ashley,” she says. “She’s good. She’s my main one that comes.”
From there, Visionwest became part of Colleen’s routine, offering the kind of support that helps her remain safe, independent, and living in her own home.
The care itself is practical, gentle, and deeply reassuring. Support workers come to make sure Colleen can shower safely.
They’re just here to make sure that I don’t fall over. That’s great.
For Colleen, being able to shower each day matters. “That’s the most important thing to me, to have a shower every day.”
The visits also bring connection.
It’s nice to see the ladies come in and try and have a little jabber. They’re very good here.
That support has made a real difference. “I just feel… safe,” Colleen says. Visionwest has helped her “in lots of ways – just to make me feel safer and okay… and be kind to me.”
She describes the team simply:
They’re very good. They’re caring. They listen. They help you.
Looking ahead, Colleen holds on to gratitude, humour, faith, and hope. “I’m very blessed,” she says. “Why be horrible, you know?”
Colleen remains fiercely independent – cooking from scratch, keeping her home spotless, walking with her walker, singing country music, and enjoying small outings. But she has also learned to receive help when she needs it.
Her advice to someone hesitant about support is clear:
I’d just say, ‘Do it. Do it.‘
Visionwest Home Healthcare
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