For many older Australians, Christmas can be a lonely time, especially when family lives far away. But for client Marion, 86, living in Melbourne’s south-east, last Christmas was special. It’s all thanks to the kindness and thoughtfulness of her Silverchain Home Care Worker, Liana Krone.
Liana, who has spent the past four years supporting clients, is committed to helping our clients remain independent in their homes. Each day, she visits between three and five clients, providing services ranging from personal care and domestic assistance to social support and transport to appointments. But Liana’s approach to care goes beyond the basics.
Her client, Marion, lives in a retirement village with her beloved pug Mavis.
Liana has visited her regularly for four years and now sees her up to three times each week. With Marion’s daughter in Queensland and her son overseas in Sweden, she has no local family support. Although she enjoys visitors, she now gets a little forgetful and confused, so she prefers not to take part in the village’s group activities. When Marion’s friends are away, she can become quite lonely.
Recognising this, Liana decided to make Christmas Eve extra special.
Liana also brought Marion gifts of homemade Christmas pudding and shortbread. Marion was thrilled.
“She was so appreciative, knowing her Christmas Day would be quiet,” Liana said. “She enjoyed her lunch and loved her cake.”
For Marion, Liana’s concern for her makes a world of difference. It’s all in a day’s work for Liana.
“All my clients are lovely,” she said. “I always remember their birthdays and make a little fuss of them. It’s a privilege and a blessing to make people happy while I’m doing my job.”
