Living with a disability, or recovering from an injury, can be a challenge, but here CityNews showcases some of the passionate Canberra businesses who are here to offer support and guidance.

There are many passionate experts based in Canberra who offer services that can make daily life a little easier.

Whether it is renovating the home, receiving residential support from health experts or looking for social support, “CityNews” speaks to Canberra businesses who are here to offer support and guidance.

Services that lead to happier lives

Arthritis ACT can help people with physical and psychosocial disabilities find the pathways they need to lead happier and healthier lives, says CEO Rebecca Davey.

“We have an occupational therapist who can assist people particularly with their assistive technology needs,” says Rebecca.

“That includes wheelchairs, scooters, home modification and he can also do private driving assessments for people with disabilities who need them.”

Rebecca says it’s incredibly rewarding to see the difference Arthritis ACT’s services make in the day-to-day lives of those who require them. 

“Our occupational therapist can assist with plans for home modifications, or can assist with equipment choices and even help you to purchase,” she says.

“Or, he offers car modifications to help give easy access to a vehicle if the client is a passenger, or can modify the vehicle to make it easier to drive.

“These kinds of services make such a big difference in people’s lives, and help open up doors.”

Another area of support Arthritis, Pain Support and ME/CFS are focusing on at present is those living with long covid.  

For support dealing with the condition, Rebecca says to contact Arthritis ACT for free self-help courses and support.

Arthritis ACT, 170 Haydon Drive, Bruce. Call 1800 011041, or visit arthritisact.org.au

Helping Ben to stay in own home

Trained and trusted Goodwin carers can help with a range of tasks in the home so that those who want to stay at home can do so, and homecare client Ben says his experience has been fantastic.

Ben says he started using the Goodwin home care services when he retired from his work as a mechanical engineer, 10 years ago. 

“They look after me in doing things that I can’t do, like making the bed, lifting the mattress; it means I haven’t got to spend four times as long doing that, and that means I can go out and do things,” says Ben. 

“I’m an extremely good cook, I have a lot of pride in myself, and they help me maintain that.” 

Ben says that while he loves to travel, it is important for him to live in his own home.

“It’s got a lot of memories in it that are important to me,” he says.

“I know that in the future, if I need help, and Goodwin can provide it, they will facilitate me living at home, on my own, for as long as I want to and I’m able to.”

Goodwin Aged Care Services, call 6175 5650 or visit goodwin.org.au

Safely future-proofing homes with ease

Renovation Matters can help future-proof homes by making them more accessible to the ageing, handicapped or temporarily injured, says founder, Kim Persson. 

She says installing things such as grab rails is an important part of improving safety and support at home.

“Grab rails can be great for people with temporary injury, allowing them support where required,” says Kim. 

“They can also be a great help to the elderly and even young children, helping them to get in and out of a bath or shower, or on and off a toilet.”

Kim says grab rails can be installed to any place in the home, not just the bathroom, as long as there is sufficient support in the wall to affix them to.

But, Kim says, it’s important to ensure they are installed by a professional, as without the right support, the grab rail can come away from the wall, causing falls and injuries.

Renovation Matters can also assist in building larger entrances to allow for wheelchair or mobility access, installing toilets with higher seats or bidets, or removing large hobs from showers, which Kim says can be difficult for people with mobility issues to get in and out of.

Renovation Matters. Call Kim on 0427 696662, or visit renovationmatters.com.au

Get to know local Salvos Home Care team

For the Salvos Home Care team, personally getting to know their clients is a priority, to ensure the in-home care and support they provide is truly individualised, says Michelle Upton, team leader at Salvos Home Care ACT.

“We make sure to have regular communication with our clients and if they wish, their families can also be involved in the care planning,” she said. 

“Ensuring regular communications helps us to provide tailored care around their care needs and lifestyles and make any changes as they may come up.”

Michelle said she had worked in the health industry for more than 15 years and in her previous occupation had much exposure to the older population. 

“It was through this experience that I decided it would be fulfilling to work exclusively with the ageing population. I wanted to help them with getting access to services, the community and genuine care,” she said.

Salvos Home Care provided in-home care across Australia and its aim was to help older Australians stay independent at home and in their communities. 

There was a range of services available, including domestic assistance, shopping, gardening, social support and outings and Allied Health services, such as physiotherapy and podiatry. 

Salvos Home Care is an approved provider of government-funded programs including Home Care Packages and the Commonwealth Home Support Program.

Salvos Home Care ACT, call 1300 111227 or visit salvos.org.au/home-care/salvos-home-care-act

Helping people stay at home

Calvary Home Care is dedicated to supporting people to safely live in their own home for as long as they choose to, says service centre co-ordinator, Kelli Harlovich.

She says Calvary Home Care is a values-based organisation, and the client always comes first.

“We try and make it all about the client themselves rather than going and telling them what we think they need,” she says.

“We prefer to listen to them and hear what they think their needs are and what they’re struggling with.

“Whether it is personal care, shopping, cleaning, help with medications, it’s about ageing in their own home, and avoiding just going to a nursing home.

“It’s about supporting them with whatever their needs are to keep them safely at home.”

Kelli says the whole team is passionate about making a difference in people’s lives.

“Seeing people living happily in their own home and being able to support them to do that, it’s good seeing those outcomes,” she says.

Calvary Home Care (The Little Company of Mary Health Care), 15 Denison Street, Deakin. Call 1800 527272 or visit calvaryhomecare.org.au

Home services provided locally, by locals

Community Services #1 has been delivering a wide range of services across Canberra since 1987, says Juliette Spurrett, executive director of Aged Care Services. 

“An important part of our service is offering a variety of aged-care services including Home Care Packages,” she says. 

“If you have a Home Care Package and are looking for a more personal and transparent experience – you might consider contacting Community Services #1.”

Juliette says being based in Canberra gives Community Services #1 the distinct advantage of being able to provide a responsive and accessible service to people in the greater ACT area.

“One of the great benefits of providing a local service is that it gives our clients confidence with their support at home knowing that the people providing the support live right here in the local community,” she says.

Juliette says the team at Community Services #1 is dedicated to ensuring clients receive a more individualised experience, and that one of the key aims is to always ensure our clients feel and are confident with their support at home services. 

“If you would like to know more, please reach out to one of our team members to find out how Community Services #1 can deliver an improved level of service,” says Juliette. 

Community Services #1, 63 Boolimba Crescent, Narrabundah. Call 02 6126 4700, or visit communityservices1.org