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If you’ve ever met Connie, you’ll know she’s quick with a joke, full of cheeky charm, and has a gift for finding the bright side of just about everything.
Originally from Arbroath on Scotland’s east coast, Connie now happily calls the Sunshine Coast home. At 82 years young, although she’ll insist she’s really only 21, she’s become well known for her sparkling personality, her love of a good chat, and the chocolates she just happens to drop into the local Ozcare office.
“Ozcare have been my carers for a long time,” Connie said. “They looked after my husband before he passed, and I tell everyone who comes through my door that I wouldn’t be where I am today without them.”
Connie’s story hasn’t been all smooth sailing. After caring for her husband through his dementia journey, she had a serious fall while heading out to the post box. The result was a sacral fracture that left her unable to manage many everyday tasks on her own.
“I couldn’t even get out of bed,” Connie recalls. “The girls helped me with everything. Honestly, I don’t know what I would’ve done without them.” What started as support for her husband soon became support for Connie. As her needs changed, Ozcare worked alongside her to adjust her services and bring together the care she needed to recover and stay safely at home – right where she belongs.
Today, Connie receives a range of support, from personal care and domestic assistance to nursing,
physiotherapy, podiatry, social support and meal services. But more importantly, she has a team she
knows, trusts, and very clearly keeps on their toes.
“Trust is everything,” she said. “When you’re not well, they’re there. Always there.”
Physiotherapy has played a big part in getting Connie back on her feet, literally. After her fall,
Ozcare Physiotherapist Jake worked closely with her to rebuild her strength, mobility and confidence.
“Connie had quite a significant fracture,” Jake explained. “We started with the basics – making sure she had the right equipment and gradually built her strength back up. It takes patience, consistency, and a good sense of humour…which Connie definitely brings.”
Two years on, the progress speaks for itself. “She’s come such a long way,” said Care Partner Isabel. “With the support of the whole team, Connie’s been able to stay living at home, where she’s happiest.”
Connie, of course, has her own take on things. “If I miss my physio, I know about it!” she laughed. “It makes a big difference. Anyone who’s had a fall like mine needs it, no question.”
These days, Connie keeps busy with her exercises, enjoys coffee outings with her support worker, and makes sure just about everyone in her retirement village has heard about Ozcare.
“I’ve told plenty of people about them,” she said. “And I’m not going anywhere! Wash your mouth out with soap if you suggest it!”
For Jake, clients like Connie are what the job is all about. “She’s an absolute gem,” he said. “You don’t just support people, you get to know them and learn from them. Connie’s always got a bit of wisdom…and usually a cheeky comment ready to go.”
Connie’s story is proof that getting older doesn’t mean slowing down – it just means doing things your way, with the right support behind you.
And if you ask her age? “Well,” she’ll tell you with a smile, “I’m supposedly 82, but we all know I’m really 21.”