Discover how changing home care providers helped Shayle stay independent, connected and active in her community. Learn how personalised support can help older Australians continue living well at home.
How can the right support help older people stay independent at home?
At Five Good Friends, we believe that the right care can help people maintain their independence, continue participating in the activities they enjoy, stay connected to their community and live safely and confidently in the home they love. For Shayle, personalised support made it possible to keep volunteering, spending time with friends, caring for her garden and continuing a life filled with purpose and connection.
Every morning starts in the garden
Every morning, Shayle begins her day with what she affectionately calls her "secateur patrol".
Armed with her gardening scissors, she wanders through the garden she loves, pruning a leaf here and trimming a stem there.
"I just adore being in the garden. I think I've only been out there for ten minutes, and then suddenly it's been two hours," she says with a laugh.
These quiet morning rituals might seem simple, but for Shayle they represent something much bigger: independence, the freedom to choose how she spends her day, and the ability to remain connected to the things that make her feel like herself.
"Living well at home means everything. Absolute everything," she exclaims.
Today, Shayle continues to volunteer, catch up with friends, participate in church activities and spend time with family. She remains curious about life and excited for what lies ahead.
After all, as she puts it, she still has places to go.
What ageing well means to Shayle
Everyone has their own definition of ageing well and for Shayle, it has never been about slowing down.
Instead, it is about continuing to live a meaningful life filled with choice and connection.
It means making her own decisions, maintaining her routines, remaining involved in her community, and staying in the home she loves.
"I just cannot imagine being regimented. To eating meals at a certain time," she says, explaining why residential aged care does not feel like a suitable environment for her, personally.
Home gives Shayle the freedom to structure her days in ways that bring her fulfilment.
It is where she feels most herself because is where she feels connected to her memories, her community and her future.
A life filled with purpose
Long before retirement, Shayle built a career helping others.
She worked in real estate, both in sales and property management, before spending 13 years as a mediator for a government department.
"It was a very stressful job, but also very rewarding."
Retirement never changed her desire to contribute. Following Cyclone Yasi, she volunteered with the Red Cross, supporting communities recovering from the disaster.
More recently, she spent five years volunteering as an ambassador at Mater Hospital which is a role she describes with genuine affection. In her role, Shayle helps guide patients and families through what can often be difficult circumstances.
"You learn to read people as they come through the door. Whether someone's having a bad day, whether someone's in pain."
The experience has also given her a deep appreciation for the things many people take for granted.
"When I come home, I realise I have two hands and two feet. I can walk. I'm not in a wheelchair. My brain still works reasonably well. And I am filled with gratitude."
When life changed unexpectedly
Three and a half years ago, Shayle's life took an unexpected turn when she was diagnosed with a brain tumour.
The treatments were significant, and there were periods when making important decisions felt overwhelming. Her daughter who lives interstate, stepped in to help navigate appointments, services and support options.
For the first time, Shayle found herself needing more assistance to continue living the life she valued.
As her circumstances changed, she realised something else: the home care support she was receiving no longer felt right.
Why feeling heard matters
For Shayle, the issue was not simply about services, it was about feeling understood.
"I didn't feel heard with the previous provider," she explains. "It was all rush and nothing would ever eventuate."
When people receive support at home, relationships matter. Trust and communication are extremely important, as is feeling heard.
As needs change over time, having people who genuinely understand what is important to you can make a significant difference to confidence and wellbeing.
For Shayle, finding support that aligned with her values became increasingly important.
Finding support that fits your life
Shayle's daughter began researching alternative providers however one organisation never returned her calls and others failed to inspire confidence.
A contact recommended Five Good Friends, and after speaking with a care advisor and having all their questions answered, Shayle and Natalie made the decision to switch.
They were guided through the administrative process and the difference was immediate.
“At Five Good Friends, it seems to flow so easily," says Shayle.
Most importantly, Shayle felt like she had found a provider who put her at the centre of her care.
"With Five Good Friends, I am heard," she smiles, adding that whether she is speaking with customer service, her care team or a Helper, she feels people genuinely listen and follow through.
For Shayle, that sense of responsiveness created reassurance during a time when she needed it most. "It’s just a blessing to have this,” she says, smiling gratefully, “especially when you're not well”.
Staying connected to what matters most
One of the biggest changes for Shayle was not what support was delivered. It was what the support made possible. Today, she receives assistance that helps her continue doing the things she values.
Her Helper Mark helps around the house and garden. "I think he might have been a horticulturist in a previous life," she says fondly. "He's also always so cheerful. I look forward to his visits."
Her Helper Taylor has become someone she genuinely looks forward to seeing. "She's studying to be an OT, so I think I'm probably a bit of a challenge for her sometimes," Shayle laughs. "She's also very, very good and has become very dear to me."
Her Care Specialist, Shanae, helps organise the services that support her wellbeing. "Shanae is in my care team and she helps coordinate all the services I need. She knows just what to do, I don't know what I would do without her."
Together, those supports enable Shayle to continue:
- Volunteering at Mater Hospital
- Attending church
- Meeting friends for coffee and lunch
- Staying active within her community
- Maintaining meaningful social connections
- Spending time doing the things she loves
"If I didn't have their help, there is no way I could lead the social life that I have,” adds Shayle, “And that is a vital part of your existence as you age."
The support that helped Shayle thrive
One unexpected example came when her oncologist recommended hydrotherapy to help manage back pain.
At first, Shayle was sceptical. "I really didn't think it would work, “ she explains, but she decided to try it.
Through her home care funding, she was able to access hydrotherapy twice each week, alongside physiotherapy and psychological support.
The results surprised her.
"I couldn't believe how I could stay awake all day without having to have a sleep. I'd wake up in the morning and think, what am I going to do today?!"
For the first time in months, she felt a renewed sense of energy and the benefits extended beyond physical health. Her confidence returned, her outlook improved and she felt more able to participate in the life she wanted to lead.
"Without that, I wouldn't be able to afford to go as often as I do, so it has been marvellous."
Finding the right therapist made all the difference
When Shayle first began receiving support through Five Good Friends, she tried working with one of the psychologists within the care network, but it wasn't quite the right fit.
Then she heard about a psychologist through a friend. Someone who came highly recommended and seemed like they might be a better match. She called Shanae to ask if it would be possible to work with this psychologist instead.
Shanae didn't simply say no because the psychologist wasn't already part of the Five Good Friends network. Instead, she went to work onboarding the right person for Shayle's needs.
"She tried very hard to get this psychologist on board, which she did," Shayle explains.
The psychologist later told Shayle: "I don't know what it is and why you wanted me so much, but Five Good Friends were very insistent."
That persistence made all the difference. "And I am grateful,” adds Shayle, “because she has pulled me up. It's been wonderful."
Bringing the right health professionals into the network rather than expecting Members to fit around the existing team reflects a fundamentally different approach to care. It's about matching support to the person, not the other way around.
For Shayle, having a psychologist who truly understood her needs became an essential part of her recovery and wellbeing.
Advice to other families consider changing providers
When asked what she would say to someone looking for support at home, Shayle focuses on one thing above all else: finding support that genuinely fits your life can make an enormous difference.
For her, changing providers meant she could continue focusing on what mattered most.
- Being a volunteer
- Being a gardener
- Being a friend
- Being a mother and grandmother
- Being part of a community
Today, Shayle is preparing to return to volunteering after time away. She continues tending her beloved garden. She enjoys lunches with friends, church activities and family milestones.
There are grandchildren getting married and family members building careers overseas. New chapters are still unfolding, and Shayle wants to be there for all of it.
"The right support has helped me keep doing the things I love, " she says.
She smiles widely as she looks ahead. After all, she still has places to go.
Ready to explore what changing providers could look like for you?
Start today with a simple conversation.
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