The Northern Daily Leader

The importance of maintaining independence into your senior years

The importance of maintaining independence into your senior years
The importance of maintaining independence into your senior years

Advertiser content for Life Without Barriers.

Seventy-one-year-old Tamworth man Richard House (pictured) leads an active and busy life. He lives in his own home and has the freedom to be his own boss, which is very important to him.

While he requires personal care and support to get out and about - due to his disability and medical needs - the care he receives from Life Without Barriers allows him to live his life to the fullest.

Richard is on a Level 4 Home Care Package with Life Without Barriers. As such, he is able to have 16 hours per week assistance in his home. Home Care Packages can provide a wide range of supports.

"They come here, they shower me, they dress me and get my clothes ready, put my washing out, they get me my breakfast and my tea and my meal of a night, and they give my puppy dog a feed too!" Richard said.

As well as helping him with personal care, Life Without Barriers staff help Richard with getting to and from medical and social appointments.

"They pick me up to go the doctors," he said.

"They take me to get my medication from the chemist, then they bring me home, get me dressed, get the TV ready for me, get my medication for me."

The importance of maintaining independence into your senior years
The importance of maintaining independence into your senior years

When he was asked what it means to be able to keep living at home, Richard said it means everything to him.

"I've got my freedom," he said.

"I've got some independence. I'm not under anybody else's rules and no one comes around telling me what to do!"

Life Without Barriers helps older people in the Tamworth region to maintain their independence by providing assistance with household chores, gardening, maintenance, personal care and shopping.

Life Without Barriers professional and friendly team works in partnership with you, so you can stay in your home for longer.

To access these services call 1800 935 483, email agedcareservices@lwb.org.au or visit lwb.org.au/agedcare

Advertiser content for Life Without Barriers.