Fairview retirement village residents receive VIP treatment

For Bolton Clarke Fairview retirement village resident Warren, connected home care services are helping him access help at home on his terms to stay independent.

Warren, who has lived at Fairview for the past 10 years, says he chose the village for the co-located aged care home and services, particularly while caring for his late wife.

“While we were together in the village I was trying to do everything but soon found it was much easier for me to have home care support to do some jobs,” Warren said.

Now widowed, he continues to access Bolton Clarke home care support as part of the VIP program for residents using home care and home support services, having his unit cleaned on a fortnightly basis by a dedicated Fairview home care team.

“My mobility now is not as good as it used to be – over the last 12 months or so, I have found myself needing to use a walker when I go out so simple cleaning like mopping or vacuuming can be difficult,” he said.

“When the village team told us about this program specially for residents I jumped at the opportunity.”

The Bolton Clarke VIP booking program is open to residents of Bolton Clarke retirement villages across Queensland who are approved for government funded Home Care Packages or home support, or as a privately funded service. By having a small home care team dedicated to each village community it allows more flexibility and choice for residents in booking their chosen service time and carer.

“I’m now able to easily plan my days knowing when my service is going to come,” he said.

“Previously I’ve had to wait around because providers might not give an exact time because of travel so they would just say it would be in the morning or the afternoon.

“I also like having the consistency of the same people coming who know our community - previously I would get a different person almost on a weekly or fortnightly basis.

“I would have to show them where things were and what I wanted done every time.

“I’ve been working with the same two regular carers since the VIP booking program started and I could not fault them in their care, their attention to detail and their ability to have a chat if I need to.

“Now, when they come in, they know exactly what I need and they’re not in a rush because they are servicing our village – they have time for a nice chat and I would say it’s easier for the carers too because they know me and what I will ask them to do.”

Bolton Clarke Operations Manager Home and Community Support Anja Piggott said the program was a great example of the benefits of connected care services.

“Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive from residents and team members,” she said.

“Residents are particularly enjoying the flexibility of being able to schedule services around their other commitments, which is important for staying connected with their community and interests.

“This year marks our 140th anniversary providing in-home care including nursing, home care, specialised care such as dementia support and allied health services. We’re delighted to still be finding new ways to meet people’s needs and support positive ageing.”