Real stories of independence with home care support
In the comfort of their own home, Pauline and Tony have built a life that allows them to stay in control of their routines and remain connected to the community they value.
“Despite some challenges that present themselves, like with most people, we love life and feel very grateful and blessed,” Tony shares.
Life hasn’t always been easy, but their positive outlook and love for connecting with people has carried them through. “Living independently means we’re free to make the choices we want to make,” says Tony, noting that staying in the home and neighbourhood he loves is essential for his wellbeing.
“For me, independence and being at home is everything”.
With the right aged care support services at the right time, Pauline and Tony have been able to hold onto what matters most: independence, choice, and finding joy in the simple things in life.
Why aged care support services matter
For Tony, watching Pauline’s mobility decline was increasingly difficult. As her main support person, while also managing his own health issues, the weight of responsibility became overwhelming.
“Prior to Five Good Friends, I was doing everything. All financial matters, shopping, everything,” Tony explains. “Combined with my health issues, I was feeling overwhelmed. I’m a very positive person but, mentally, it was becoming very hard.”
Daily life, once filled with travel and shared adventures, became limited once Pauline needed help with all her daily tasks. Tony was doing his best, but the strain was taking a toll.
The turning point: discovering Five Good Friends
Everything changed when someone in their community suggested they contact Five Good Friends. The recommendation came at exactly the right moment. From their first conversation, Pauline and Tony felt genuinely cared for. “The people I’ve spoken to have been totally professional, totally friendly and talk to you in a very empathetic, caring and genuine way,” says Tony.
Within weeks, Pauline had an appointment with My Aged Care and was approved for a home care funding. And with no hesitation, the couple chose Five Good Friends.
“After the support we received from Five Good Friends with the My Aged Care process, it only took one minute to decide. We said to each other - we don’t need to look at anyone else.”
Learning to accept help: finding independence with home care support
As lifelong givers, having fostered children for 20 years and volunteered throughout their lives, Pauline and Tony were used to being on the other side of care. Asking for help was not easy.
“We’ve never had help in our lives before”, explains Tony. “To actually put our hand up for help is a pretty big deal. But from our first meeting with Five Good Friends and all the way along the process, we were made to feel like Five Good Friends were alongside us.”
What is Full Service Membership in aged care?
Think of Full Service Membership as having a dedicated team by your side. Your membership is care managed but the care still feels like yours. You have your own Care Coordinator who really gets to know you and understands what matters most in. They carefully match you with Helpers who share your interests and fit naturally into your daily life. A Full Service Membership with Five Good Friends adapts with you, ensuring you always feel supported and respected.
Trust, professionalism, and peace of mind
For Tony, professionalism was non-negotiable.
“The number one thing I look for in a provider is professionalism. You want a provider that knows their business. You need to be confident that if they're employing Helpers to come into your home that they're the right people. And I have total confidence in Five Good Friends.”
His confidence grew further after meeting Pauline’s Care Coordinator: “Karen is wonderful. Anything we’ve needed, we can talk about it. It’s never a drag to ask.”
Tony talks about how the team at Five Good Friends bring together true professionalism with genuine warmth. “They’re not just professional, but also friendly, empathetic, and able to communicate in a down-to-earth way.” This makes support simple and reassuring for Members and their loved ones.
Care tailored to individual needs
When Pauline and Tony were matched with their Helper, Terry, they quickly discovered the difference of truly personalised care.
Since asking for help initially felt unfamiliar, so did inviting someone into their home, but Terry quickly became a trusted part of their lives
“Our house has never been so clean, and Terry is just wonderful,” says Pauline with delight.
Technology enhanced personalised support
Connection remains at the heart of their care, but technology adds an extra layer of reassurance.
Using the Five Good Friends app, Tony, who doesn’t consider himself 'tech minded', can easily check appointments, invoices, and updates from Helpers.
“If Terry notices something isn’t quite right, he can report it. The app gives us peace of mind,” Tony explains.
This mix of human connection and smart technology ensures nothing slips through the cracks.
Dependable care management for seniors
With a Full Service Membership, Pauline and Tony know support will always be there when needed.
When their Helper was unavailable, a replacement was promptly arranged. When Pauline needed home modifications after surgery, an occupational therapist was quickly organised.
The solutions gave Tony one thing he hadn’t felt in years: peace of mind.
“We’ve gone from feeling overwhelmed to where I can concentrate on my health and Pauline can focus on her recovery, knowing that we have all this support.”
Looking ahead with confidence
Thanks to the physiotherapy Pauline has accessed under her home care package, she is walking unaided again. While she still faces health challenges, her quality of life has improved significantly. The couple is even planning to travel again, taking Pauline’s wheelchair along when needed so they can continue exploring together.
They remain grateful for the simple things in life: a clean home, good meals, and time to connect with one another.
Their advice to others is heartfelt and clear: “The best advice I’d give is if you’re struggling, you do not have to struggle on your own and don’t let it become overwhelming before you reach out. People deserve to be happy so reach out and get the help you need.”
At Five Good Friends, we believe independence doesn’t mean doing it all alone - it means having the right support by your side. After a lifetime of giving, Pauline and Tony have discovered the value of receiving support.
“If you've got Five Good Friends with you, you're not on your own and it makes it much easier to navigate what is a very complex aged care system,” says Tony.
“Five Good Friends couldn’t be named any better”, he adds with a smile. “They’re the best kind of friends.”
Discover how our Full Service Membership can help you or your loved one live well at home.
Frequently asked questions
In this blog
Share
