Home Instead Central Coast will celebrate a decade of providing aged care services across the region on October 22.
Owners Jasmine Hopcraft and Chris Dawson set up their own office of the global in-home aged care service on the Coast in 2012, and have since expanded to Newcastle in 2018, survived a pandemic, kept 200 staff in jobs and cared for more than 350 families.
“We experienced the care needs of our own parents while bringing up our young family, and so many of our friends had parents who had retired and continue to retire in the region – not a single one of them wished to leave their homes,” Hopcraft said.
“We knew there was, and still is, a real need for quality services that are flexible and tailored for each person and we were drawn to Home Instead.
“Our caregivers help seniors maintain their quality of life in their own home and give their families peace of mind – knowing their loved ones are safe and independent.”
Hopcraft, who was named Business Person of the Year in the 2021 Central Coast Local Business Awards, said the team had worked hard to become the preferred choice for home care on the Coast, and it was a privilege to deliver such an essential service to the community.
“We genuinely get pleasure and satisfaction when we see a marked improvement in the health and wellbeing of a client and the relief and delight from their family,” she said.
“As our population ages, the need for care is growing in our community and across Australia.
“The nation’s older generation continues to grow and by 2066, it is projected there will be just over 4.5 million people aged 65-74.
“There is concern that this ageing of the population will put unsustainable pressure on public spending, with particular concerns about rising health costs and the ability of the health system to serve the increasing numbers of older people needing care.”
The shortage of labour during the COVID pandemic and in the current tight market is also an ongoing challenge for the industry.
“It’s a very competitive, tough employment market,” Hopcraft said.
“Aged and disability care is a labour-intensive industry and the growing population of elderly Australians requires a body of workers trained to care for them.”
She said while navigating industry regulation changes on their business model of care had been difficult, they had drawn on the strength of their local team, as well as the resources and support of Home Instead.
Hopcraft said along with caring for clients, the business prioritised welfare, training and support of the key team in the office and the care staff who are out working in the community.
The business was recognised last year as a regional finalist in two categories of the 2021 Business NSW Business Awards: Employer of Choice – Central Coast; and Excellence in Business – Central Coast.
One Central Coast family knows just how vital the home-care solution is.
Jenny McKay is one of the office’s longest-serving caregivers and has worked for Home Instead Central Coast for nine-and-a-half years.
Her mother, Helen Hawkes, has engaged their services for two years.
At 86, Helen needs help around the home with domestic tasks including cooking and cleaning and said she would be “lost” without Home Instead.
“I wouldn’t be without them,” she said.
“It’s wonderful to be able to remain in your own home.”
For her daughter, Jenny, a former flight attendant who recently turned 60, Home Instead means not only quality care and companionship for her mum with carers helping her at home, but also rewarding employment for her.
She works six days a week caring for several clients in the region.
“I love my clients, they’re all very special and making them feel safe and secure is a real privilege,” she said.
“Caring for someone creates a real bond and this is where relationship-based care is so special, you become like family.
“Working for Home Instead is incredibly rewarding, Jasmine and the team really care about their clients and their staff.”
The former flight attendant joined Home Instead after stepping away from her career in the air to have children.
“I would take my children to the shops and see carers with clients and think, I could do that,” she said.
“I saw an ad in the paper when Home Instead Central Coast opened, and not long after I started working as a caregiver and I haven’t looked back.
“I love just talking to older people who have such wonderful stories to tell.”
The business celebrated its milestone with a private screening of Everybody’s Oma on October 12 at Avoca Beach Theatre and will hold birthday lunches for clients at Davistown and In Newcastle this week.
The Hopcrafts’ daughter, Amee Dawson, is Operations Manager of the business and will eventually takeover as general manager.
Source:
Media release, Oct 14
Home Instead Central Coast