John's journey: finding joy and support through home care in Hervey Bay

Image: John with Georgia, WMQ's carer in Hervey Bay.

At 80 years old, John sounds every bit as vibrant as he was in his younger days. Born in Parramatta, NSW, his early years were filled with rugby league games, where he played right through his school days. After school, in 1959, he embarked on a carpentry apprenticeship that paved the way for a remarkable career in construction.

"I started with Moran and Pope Builders, one of the biggest builders at the time," he says proudly. His journey as a builder took him from Sydney to Port Macquarie, and then further north to Queensland’s Gold Coast, Runaway Bay and eventually Hervey Bay, where he now enjoys the support of home care services.

In 2016, he lost his wife of 54 years to cancer. This loss hit him hard, leaving an emptiness he didn't know how to fill. Today, he finds solace in the company of his son, friends and WMQ’s home care workers in Hervey Bay.

‘WMQ put me back on track when they took over my care.’

John first encountered home care when his wife fell ill. At the time, they were using services from an alternative provider. After her passing, John stopped using their home care services. When he sought support again, his previous provider no longer had the capacity and recommended Wesley Mission Queensland (WMQ).

At that time, John was struggling. After losing his wife in 2016 and undergoing life-saving open heart surgery in 2020, during the height of the COVID pandemic, he endured months of chest pain and a serious mental health battle.

I lost my wife, and after 54 years of marriage, that left me pretty empty. Then after the heart surgery, I suffered from an emotional upheaval. I didn’t want anyone in my house. Then these carers turned up, and I thought, ‘, where have they been all this time?’ WMQ put me back on track when they took over my care.

With their support and company, John now feels life is more than bearable.

Sometimes we will just talk or watch a video movie. I have many!

Building a bond with his carers

Sarah, aka Princess, as John kindly calls his home care coordinator in Hervey Bay.

When John talks about his carers, the affection in his voice is unmistakable. "Kath, Leanne, oh, and Sarah," he lists with a chuckle, clearly holding each in high regard. John credits these carers with bringing joy and ease into his daily life.

They assist him with everything from meal preparation to lawn care and even going out for a bite to eat. But for John, it’s not just about the tasks, as he explains with enthusiasm:

They make your day when they turn up. I have Georgia, whose husband is a fireman in the local area, so we all feel like a little family.

John laughs as he shares that they sometimes stray from the formal schedule, focusing on whatever feels right at the moment:

We make our own schedule when they arrive, and we have a great time. They’ve turned my house into a home again. They push me to walk around in my property, and I talk the legs off an iron pot.

John's property is a spacious two acres, and thanks to WMQ home care services in Hervey Bay, it’s kept immaculate. Whether he needs help walking around the yard for some fresh air or a companion to socialise with, his carers are always there to encourage him.

If I want to do a bit of gardening, or even if they just want me to get out and about, they make it happen.

John also looks forward to the regular social outings organised by WMQ home care team.

Rediscovering photography with home care support

Beyond his home care, John’s life is enriched by his passion for photography, a hobby he shares with his son, who is a videographer and professional photographer. John’s love for bird and wildlife photography keeps him busy. "I got my son into photography when he was 12, and he got me back into photography when I was 65," he shares.

To help him stay mobile despite knee problems, John recently purchased an electric scooter using his Home Care Package funds. John shares excitedly:

It's a godsend. I can't walk far now with my knee problem and soon I’ll have to stop driving. That’s going to be tough. But I've just got this mobility scoter. I can load up my camera gear, head out to the field, and shoot. I've got several lenses I take with me when I'm doing bird photos and wildlife photos.

He speaks with pride about his high-end camera equipment, which includes a top-of-the-range camera and lens. With his new scooter, the beauty of nature is once again within his reach.

Advice for those reluctant to accept care

When asked what he would say to those who are hesitant to seek home care, John is straightforward.

I can't understand why people don’t get help when they need it. There are people all around here who could benefit from it.

John encourages anyone in need of support to take the leap and explore what WMQ’s home care services can offer not only in Hervey Bay, but South East Queensland.

Reflecting on his life

John’s story is one of resilience, love, and embracing the next chapter of life with support from the right people. His carers from WMQ are not only professionals doing their jobs – they have become companions who brighten his days.

At 80, John continues to approach life with enthusiasm and curiosity. His ability to stay engaged in his passions and maintain an active lifestyle is a testament to the strength of WMQ’s home care support.

Finding humility and spirituality

As our conversation drew to a close, I ask John how he would define himself. His response was simple yet profound: "Humility and spirituality just about sum me up."

For those on the fence about home care, John's message is clear. With the right support, life doesn’t just go on – it thrives. WMQ’s dedicated care workers don’t only provide practical help; they restore the sense of community, companionship, and joy that can sometimes fade with age.

Before we finished, John made sure to express his gratitude again.

Salica, who does the roster, is an absolute gem. She lets me know of any changes in rostering and makes sure they are OK by me. We always share a delightful conversation or two. Leanne , I can't say enough for her. She's absolutely fantastic. If she needs to , she jumps in and does the work herself. I mean, she's solid as a rock. A lovely person. It looks like Princess (Sarah) has come here along the same way. She is new to WMQ, so she's known as 'little Leanne' to other people. To me, she's Princess. That's all I want to say”.

For more information on WMQ’s Home Care Services and Home Care Packages, and how they can help you or a loved one, visit WMQ Home Care, or call us on 1800 448 448.