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Wellness and Reablement for Elderly People: Empowering Independence Through Everyday Skills

Wellness and Reablement for Elderly People Empowering Independence Through Everyday Skills

As we age, maintaining our independence becomes increasingly important. The Support at Home program is designed with the understanding that elderly people, regardless of their age or level of health, have the desire to remain as independent as possible in their own homes. Wellness and reablement approaches play a vital role in achieving this, empowering seniors to continue engaging in day-to-day activities that promote their physical, social, and emotional well-being.

What is Wellness and Reablement?

Wellness focuses on building a person’s strength, capacity, and goals to maintain or improve their independence. It is about enhancing one’s abilities through a positive, person-centred approach. Reablement, on the other hand, is a time-limited intervention that focuses on regaining or maintaining skills, improving functional capacity, and boosting confidence. Both approaches are key principles in the Support at Home program, ensuring that elderly participants are not just receiving care but are encouraged to participate in activities that sustain their skills and autonomy.

The Importance of Maintaining Skills

One of the key aspects of wellness and reablement is continuing to engage in daily tasks, even if they require some assistance. For example, an elderly person might still be able to do tasks like dusting while their care worker vacuums. This method of “doing with” rather than “doing for” fosters a sense of achievement and independence, no matter the level of support required.

Engaging in regular activities, whether it’s small household tasks or hobbies, can help prevent the decline of physical and cognitive abilities. It reinforces the idea that maintaining independence is not only about managing daily life but also about preserving dignity, self-worth, and a sense of purpose. Through the Support at Home program’s wellness and reablement model, elderly individuals are encouraged to keep doing what they can, and receive support when necessary, so they can continue managing as many aspects of their life as possible.

How Wellness and Reablement Can Help

The benefits of maintaining and enhancing skills through wellness and reablement are substantial:

  1. Physical Health: Continuing to move, clean, or cook at a comfortable level helps maintain muscle tone and coordination. Activities such as light housework can provide gentle exercise and improve overall mobility.
  2. Mental Well-being: Doing tasks, even small ones, can boost a person’s mood and prevent feelings of helplessness or depression that can often accompany aging. Being able to contribute in some way to one’s environment can help maintain a sense of pride and satisfaction.
  3. Cognitive Function: Engaging in activities like dusting, folding laundry, or managing basic tasks like meal planning keeps the brain active. Cognitive stimulation is vital for maintaining mental clarity and preventing cognitive decline.
  4. Social Connection: Some tasks may involve social interaction, such as having a conversation while completing chores. The act of sharing moments with others can provide emotional support and reduce feelings of isolation.

The Role of Care Workers in Reablement

While wellness and reablement emphasize personal independence, they also recognize that care workers are a valuable support system in achieving these goals. Care workers assist elderly people by encouraging and supporting them to continue performing these tasks, while also stepping in to help when necessary. For example, while a care worker may vacuum the floor, the elderly person might still be able to dust the furniture. This approach helps the participant feel involved and valued, rather than dependent.

Care workers play a crucial role in identifying areas where support is needed, offering guidance, and providing gentle reminders to encourage participation. They also adapt the level of assistance based on the individual’s progress, ensuring that they are continually challenged to do more, without feeling overwhelmed or unsupported.

A Person-Cantered Approach

The core philosophy of the Support at Home program is person-centred care. This means that each individual’s needs, preferences, and goals are taken into account when planning and delivering services. Wellness and reablement are not “one-size-fits-all” approaches but are tailored to each person’s abilities and desires.

By focusing on what elderly people can do rather than what they can’t, we encourage autonomy, support well-being, and improve the quality of life. Whether it’s folding towels or maintaining a small garden, every task a person can continue to do reinforces their independence and connection to their environment.

The Long-Term Impact of Wellness and Reablement

Adopting a wellness and reablement approach offers long-term advantages not just for elderly individuals, but for the wider community as well. It reduces reliance on higher levels of care, encourages positive mental health, and supports a culture of independence within aged care.

In the Support at Home program, we focus on enhancing each individual’s well-being by using activities and tasks that promote reablement. Whether it’s helping with housework, maintaining hobbies, or simply staying engaged in social activities, wellness and reablement offer a path to a fulfilling and independent life for elderly people.

Conclusion

The Support at Home program is about ensuring that elderly people remain as independent and engaged as possible for as long as possible. Through wellness and reablement, elderly individuals can maintain their skills, autonomy, and dignity while receiving the support they need. Care workers are essential in making this possible by encouraging participation, offering the right kind of support, and focusing on what people can do, not what they can’t. This approach is about working together with elderly people to ensure they lead fulfilling, independent lives—right in the comfort of their own homes.

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Lisa Bycroft

Care Partner

Lisa is an experienced Care Partner at HomeCare Australia, supporting clients across Lake Macquarie, Newcastle, and the Hunter. With over 20 years in aged care and disability services, Lisa is known for her calm leadership, person-centred care, and deep empathy.

Her career includes frontline care, case management, and regional operations leadership with providers such as Mercy Services and integratedliving. She has coordinated services across CHSP, HCP, and NDIS programs and is particularly skilled in dementia-specific care and behaviour support.

Lisa builds strong relationships with clients and care teams alike. She empowers care workers through mentoring and hands-on support, ensuring services are respectful, flexible, and aligned with client goals.

Her qualifications include Certificate IV in Service Coordination (Ageing & Disability), Certificate IV in Leisure and Health, and Certificate III in Aged Care. She also holds credentials in medication management, dementia care, infection control, and behavior support. Lisa maintains First Aid, NDIS Worker Screening, and Working with Children Checks.

At HomeCare Australia, Lisa supports people with high and complex needs, assists with transitions to Support at Home, and ensures care plans reflect dignity and choice. Her calm presence and strong values make her a trusted guide for clients and a leader among peers.

Bronwyn

Case Manager

Bronwyn brings a wealth of experience and compassion to her role as a Case Manager at HomeCare Australia. With a background in managing and running childcare centres, as well as hands-on experience as an NDIS disability support worker, Bronwyn has built a career centred around supporting and empowering vulnerable individuals. Her time in the highly legislated childcare sector has honed her strong case management skills, making her an invaluable asset to our team.

Driven by her passion for helping others, Bronwyn recently returned to the Central Coast from Sydney to be closer to her family. A proud aunty to many nieces and nephews, she cherishes time spent with her loved ones and her pets. When she’s not working, you’ll often find her enjoying the slower pace of life on the coast, indulging in her love for cooking, and soaking up the peaceful coastal lifestyle.

Bronwyn’s blend of professional expertise, heartfelt compassion, and dedication to making a difference ensures she provides exceptional support to every client she works with. We’re delighted to have her as part of the HomeCare Australia team.

Patricia

Roster Team Leader

As a Roster Manager, I specialize in creating efficient and effective schedules that keep our team running smoothly and ensure the highest quality of care for our clients. My goal is to optimize operations, support our incredible staff, and contribute to seamless service delivery.

My diverse career journey—from brewing the perfect cup of coffee as a barista to coordinating campaigns as a marketing administrator and ensuring compliance as a KYC agent—has given me a unique skill set. I bring adaptability, precision, and

a customer-focused mindset to everything I do, qualities that align perfectly with HomeCare Australia’s commitment to excellence.

Outside of work, I’m a passionate reader, a foodie at heart, and an avid fan of K-dramas and binge-worthy series. I also love attending K-pop concerts, where I get to immerse myself in the electrifying energy of live performances.

With a blend of professional expertise and a vibrant personal life, I strive to bring energy, focus, and dedication to my role every day, ensuring our team and clients receive the best possible support.

Brittany

Case Manager

We’re excited to introduce Brittany, one of our compassionate and highly skilled Aged Care Case Managers at HomeCare Australia. Brittany brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her role, having worked in the community services industry since 2019. Her strong academic background includes a Bachelor’s degree in Communication, a Diploma of Community Services, and additional certifications in Mental Health First Aid, Applied Suicide Intervention, and Naturopathy.

Brittany’s diverse qualifications—combined with her Certificates 3 and 4 in Fitness—enable her to take a holistic and personalized approach to supporting clients in achieving their goals and maintaining independence.

Originally from a farm outside of Tamworth, Brittany grew up riding horses and caring for an array of animals, which instilled in her a deep sense of responsibility and compassion. Today, she shares her life with her partner, their lively one-year-old daughter, and their playful border collie.

Brittany is passionate about personal growth, journaling, neuroscience, and living a balanced, low-tox lifestyle. She thrives on creating meaningful connections with her clients, helping them navigate their aged care journey with kindness, empathy, and expert guidance.

Her approachable nature, love of gardening, and belief in the importance of protecting your energy ensure that she brings warmth and positivity to every interaction. Whether she’s coordinating services or simply sharing a light-hearted moment (along with her signature “funny” jokes), Brittany is dedicated to providing the highest standard of care and support.

We’re confident that Brittany’s expertise and genuine care will make her an invaluable partner in helping you or your loved one live comfortably and independently at home.

Myckayla

Delivery Team

We’re excited to shine a spotlight on Myckayla, one of our incredible team members here at HomeCare Australia. Myckayla recently moved from the Central Coast to the beautiful south of Brisbane, where she continues to make a positive difference in the lives of those she supports. A proud mum of two little boys, Myckayla loves spending time outdoors—whether she’s gardening, enjoying the beach, or connecting with nature. Her passion for art and spirituality adds to her warm and compassionate approach to care.

Myckayla has been dedicated to the aged care and disability support sector since the age of 16, when she began her journey as an aged care nurse. From a young age, she has been driven by a deep desire to help others and improve their quality of life. Her unwavering commitment and heartfelt care make her an invaluable part of our team, and we’re so grateful to have her making a difference every day.

Sheryll

Foundational Member of HomeCare Australia

Sheryll has been an integral part of HomeCare Australia since the very beginning, bringing her wealth of experience and unwavering dedication to our team. As a seasoned accountant and bookkeeper with over 18 years of expertise, Sheryll’s meticulous attention to detail and commitment to excellence have been pivotal in supporting the success and growth of our organization.

A proud mother of four, Sheryll balances her professional responsibilities with her vibrant family life. Her warmth and organizational skills extend beyond the office, where she is known for her love of baking and cooking—delighting friends and family with her culinary creations.

Outside of work, Sheryll embraces life with enthusiasm. She enjoys traveling and exploring new places, channelling her creativity into crocheting unique items, and playing the guitar during her downtime. Whether she’s embarking on outdoor adventures or sharing stories with loved ones, Sheryll brings energy, joy, and a sense of purpose to everything she does.
As one of our longest-standing team members, Sheryll’s dedication, expertise, and passion continue to be an inspiration to