From Independence to Support | Trish’s Home Care Journey
Original source of the publication | PerthNow Central & Fremantle/Cockburn.
Even after planning for life’s milestone changes by moving into a retirement village 14 years ago, Catholic Homes home care client Patricia ‘Trish’ Knapton could not have anticipated her life changing so dramatically all over again.
Needing a provider that could keep up with her needs and give her the peace of mind we all wish to live out our golden years with, Ms Knapton turned to Catholic Homes following the unfortunate passing of her husband Kevin.
“When my husband and I moved into a small retirement village in 2011, we were both fit and well,” she said.
“I was very active, playing golf twice a week, and he was forever gardening in our beautiful garden, which I had to step up and take over after he passed away.”
Following a terrible fall and a knee replacement gone wrong in the ensuing years, Ms Knapton was left with limited use of her left arm and reduced mobility in her right leg.
“I then had to apply for more help in the home, as it left me far more disabled than I had been,” she said.
After thoroughly interviewing several providers and crunching the numbers, Ms Knapton settled on Catholic Homes after being impressed by the kind-hearted staff who took her care above and beyond.
“I’ve had visits from different members of the Catholic Homes team, and I was so impressed with their kindness, empathy and what they could offer me,” she said.
“I was really thrilled that they were such lovely people.
“I’ve had lengthy discussions about support with every staff member who has been to my home, and each of them took me down the right path.”
Ms Knapton was most blown away with the onboarding process, as the Catholic Homes team thoroughly walked her through everything she had to ask.
Receiving in-home care, including assistance with cleaning, groceries, gardening, window cleaning, transport, physiotherapy and occupational therapy, the difference it has made to her life has been immeasurable.
“From being very fit when I moved into my current village 14 years ago, I’m in a totally different situation now,” Ms Knapton said.
“I really could not manage without all this help.
“I’m 83 years old and I still manage to lead a good life because all the support helps me enormously.”
If you are curious about home care but are not sure where to start, you are not alone.
Just like Ms Knapton’s story, many Catholic Homes clients began with questions and found the support they needed to live more independently, comfortably and confidently.
