People of Helping Hand: Katherine

Katherine lives in one of Helping Hand’s retirement living units in Clare, the traditional home of the Ngadjuri people.

Katherine is a very determined and capable individual.

At 72 years of age, she made the decision to move out of the residential care home she was living in. She moved into a Helping Hand retirement unit in Clare and arranged for Helping Hand to provide Home Care Services as well.

Katherine says she is living her life to the fullest and on her terms, while still forging connections in her community. She feels respected and appreciated.

When she first moved to Clare, she started looking into opportunities where she could put her skills and experience to help people.

Katherine’s background in nursing, the ministry and counselling meant she was an ideal candidate to get involved with Lifeline Connect and she is now a valued member of the team.

Another community group she is involved with is the Clare Valley Christian Outreach which provides emergency relief for people. Katherine never misses an opportunity to help people in their time of need.

She is also very clear about the help that she needs to live independently at home. ‘I was firm that I wanted access to services when I needed them. Sometimes that’s a little and sometimes that’s a lot and Helping Hand has never let me down.’ she says.

Katherine is incredibly grateful for the life she leads and says that choosing Helping Hand was one of the best decisions she’s made. ‘I suspected this was an organisation that knew what it was doing and no matter what the drama is, they always seem to find time to sort it out for me, and others in the community,’ she says.

When she moved to Clare, Katherine says she knew she had found her forever home. She has an ambition to reach 130 years of age and is quick to point out that this means she and Helping Hand will be together for some time to come!

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