Golden girls and good days! Meet our Member, Stu, and his wife, Tahanee.
At first glance, Stu is just like any other Aussie in his 50s - cracking jokes, sharpening his table tennis skills, and sharing stories of his union delegate days that involved rubbing shoulders with ‘Albo’. However, behind that easy smile is a story of strength, love, and the power of meaningful support.
Diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s at 55, Stu’s world, and that of his wife, Tahanee, shifted significantly. “It was a large shock,” explains Tahanee. Suddenly, she wasn’t just Stu’s partner - she became his carer. The house, the bills, the sleepless nights, and the worry about Stu wandering - it all became too much. “There was no time to even scratch my nose,” she shares.
More than anything, Tahanee wanted Stu to still have a good life. That’s where Five Good Friends came in.
NDIS Alzheimer’s support
Stu is part of a growing community of Australians living with neurological conditions who want to stay independent, connected and, above all, at home. Through the NDIS and with the support of Five Good Friends, Stu is doing just that.
Every week, he’s walking, playing golf or shooting pool. “If I didn't have this support, who knows where I'd be”, shares Stu. “You can slip into some dark places and that’s what it was like for me before.”
Tahanee talks about how relieved she is that Stu is now comfortable and happy. “He’s gotten a large chunk of his life back. Five Good Friends have done that, and done it very, very well.”
Tahanee remembers the moment she chose Five Good Friends. “I called around and did my research. It was such an important decision, choosing a company to make such a difference in our lives, so I wanted to get it right. Everything about Five Good Friends - from the services they offered. to the advice I received when I spoke to the coordinator - were the answers I wanted to hear.”
From the moment they signed up, the couple felt like they’d become part of a team.
Matching technology that results in genuine connections
At Five Good Friends, our matching technology connects Members with Helpers who share their likes, interests and lifestyle preferences. It’s not just about skillsets; it’s about making a genuine connection. For Stu, that connection means having someone who knows he loves a game of table tennis, as much as a laugh. This kind of personalised matching is especially valuable when providing Alzheimer's support, where trust and consistency matter most.
Tahanee feels that the matching technology sets Five Good Friends apart from other providers of disability supports. “Each of the ladies has been hand chosen to suit Stu's needs. For him to be able to go and enjoy the things that I can’t do with him, due to my own health conditions, gives him back his quality of life.”
Stu's Helpers are affectionately referred to as the “Golden Girls” by the couple, due to the brightness and ease they bring to Stu and Tahanee's everyday life. “There’s Lulu (Louise), Michelle, and gigglepot, Rany, and Stu - he’s Blanche,” Tahanee laughs. “Don’t ask how that happened!”
Peace of mind for loved ones
Tahanee shares how the support has given her peace of mind, a break when she needs it and extra help around the house. With that support comes emotional strength. As she wisely puts it, “People that care also need to know that they've got to look after themselves because if you can't care for yourself, you're not going to be able to care for your loved ones properly.”
Smart systems that keep everyone connected
Five Good Friends’ smart, easy-to-use Member app keeps everyone on the same page. “If Stu’s had a rough night, our Helpers know. We all communicate. That’s made a huge difference,” explains Tahanee.
Whether you’re managing appointments, updating support plans or simply checking in, the app provides you, and your loved ones, with full visibility of the supports in place.
Support that grows with you
Unfortunately, conditions like Alzheimer’s don’t stand still – but neither does the support our Helpers provide. As Stu’s needs change, so will his care. Rather than introducing unfamiliar faces, we train and upskill existing Helpers so they can continue the journey with their Member—maintaining the trust, friendship and familiarity that’s so important.
All Five Good Friends Helpers are fully verified, trained, and supported through ongoing, in-house learning and development. “With care tailor-made to his Alzheimer’s, Stu’s happy at home where he belongs,” adds Tahanee.
Living well with a disability
At Five Good Friends, we help Members stay connected and supported with personalised care that fits their goals and priorities. For Stu, membership is about more than just supports, it’s about living life on his own terms. “Five Good Friends has opened up a whole new life for us that we wouldn’t have without you,” smiles Tahanee, “It’s as simple as that.”
Five Good Friends is an approved NDIS provider of core supports. If you’d like help managing your day-to-day supports enquire with us today.