Meet Sarah, the new home care leader in Hervey Bay

Image: Sarah Nichols, Wesley Mission Queensland’s Care Team Leader - Community Aged Care, Hervey Bay.

Sarah is absolutely marvellous.

– Home care client in Hervey Bay (September 2024). Read her story.

Meet Sarah Nichols, our new home care coordinator in Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast, Queensland). With nearly seven years of experience in the community aged care industry, Sarah has a passion for making a difference in the lives of others.

Her journey began as a care worker in the Tin Can Bay and Rainbow Beach areas, and she quickly moved into administration, reviewing Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP). She started her case management career four years ago, ‘and have loved it ever since!’, she says excitedly.

I had a wonderful lady with Parkinson’s who was too anxious to attend the gym. After months of reassurance and small goals, she not only returned but walked there independently. Seeing her joy reminded me how small goals can make a big impact.

Recently relocated to Hervey Bay, Sarah is known for her compassionate approach, working closely with clients, families, and her team to ensure they receive the highest quality of care.

WMQ made my life bearable. I lost my wife, and after 54 years of marriage, that left me pretty empty, you know. These ladies [home carers] make your day when they turn up. I talk the legs off an iron pot. Princess will tell you that. Princess, that's how I call Sarah. She is a lovely person.

– John, home care client in the Hervey Bay region (September 2024). Read his story.

First of all, what’s the best piece of advice you would give to seniors considering home care.

There is no shame in asking for help; it is better to be proactive than reactive. I would rather start the process of getting support and services early before we need to react urgently because of a change that was unforeseen.

What inspired you to work in the aged care industry? What do you most enjoy about it?

I was looking for a career that was hands on and allowed me to make an actual difference in people’s lives. What I didn’t expect was to find a role that not only benefited other people’s lives but my own as well.

What does a typical day as a home care coordinator look like for you?

two days are the same in this industry. My typical day would be liaising with clients and families about their services and brainstorming with my team on how we can best achieve their goals.

How do you ensure quality service for clients and make them feel comfortable?

Ensuring quality service takes a team, understanding a consumer’s needs and goals while liaising with our scheduling coordinators and care workers to ensure we are all on the same page to help achieve this. Our services are all about consumer-directed care. I want to always reiterate to my clients that our plan of services is not set in stone and can be changed as often as needed, and taken at whatever pace they are comfortable with.

What personal qualities do you think are important for someone working in aged care?

The Wesley Mission Charter of Values sums up the personal qualities and attributes very accurately of what someone in the aged care industry should have, but the three I look for within my team and myself would be compassion, empowerment, and innovation.

Can you share a memorable moment from your time working with clients?

My most memorable moment would be that I had a wonderful lady who had Parkinson’s that was too anxious to attend the gym for her allied health sessions. After two months of reassurance, creative small goals, and constant contact with her allied health professionals, we managed to not only get her back to the gym but walking there independently and smashing all of her personal bests on the exercises. I remember attending her first gym session, and seeing the smile and joy on her face reminded me of why we do this role, and the smallest of goals can make the largest impact on someone’s life.

What’s the main priority for your team at the moment?

Our goal at the moment is to continuously build our client base and network with vendors within Hervey Bay to ensure the best quality of care for our current and future clients.

Tell us something about yourself that your clients wouldn’t know.

Personal fact: I have climbed the Great Wall of China.

Professional fact: My first job was in a boat yard.

What's on your personal and/or professional wish list?

My personal and professional wish list are the same: to continuously expand my knowledge so that I can not only benefit my clients’ lives but progress into a role where I can make the most change for the clients and staff.

A song that makes you happy.

Anything upbeat country!

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received.  

The daily quote I live by is that it is better to be proactive then reactive.

Tell us three things that you can’t live without.

Family is always number one! I also can’t live without the beach and a hot sunny day!