SarahCare - Community Nursing Done Differently

02/02/2024

Come down to Riddells Creek Post Office to grab your William & Midnight Maggie's Waggly Treats ! Tub of hpmemade dog biscuits for $10!

Hearts
Sml bones
Rabbits
Stars

All homemade with love ❤️

See you soon!

07/12/2023

A long lost hello to everyone following SarahCare - we appreciate you all even though we haven't posted here for a long time!

Apologies - it's been a year of many developments, changes & lots of things happening here...

Currently, we are busily working away & also preparing for a short break over Christmas...

We've got many long standing patients & several newer ones too - we are grateful for them all & hope we can continue to offer the support & care that makes their daily life a little easier 🤞

We know the festive season means something different for every one - for some it's a time for reflection & gratitude, for others it's about family & for some, it's just another day that perhaps is not what they want to think about...

Our wonderful Nurses have worked hard all year and so whatever Christmas means for you, SarahCare staff need a rest and so we will be closing from December 21st 2023 until January 11th 2024 so the ladies can enjoy some quality time with their families over the Summer break.

During this time, all patient visits will be on hold. If you need to get in touch, you can reach out via email or via the contact us form on the website www.sarah.care .

Alternatively, you can seek attention through your local GP clinic, nearest hospital ED or via nurse on call.

If you need to request a change to the care you're already receiving through SarahCare, get in touch via sarah@sarah.care & we will do our best to accommodate you.

We will back in full swing from January 11th 2024 & ready to help you achieve your for the year ahead.

SarahCare Registered Nurses and Personal Carers provide quality, affordable care in the comfort of your own home. Helping residents of Sunbury and the Macedon Ranges remain independent and healthy. SarahCare caters to a wide range of needs from complex medical issues to simple domestic support.

07/08/2023

Did you know that at SarahCare we strive to find products that meet the ever changing needs of our patients?

I travelled to Spain in 2022 after my mum passed away (she lived there) & whilst I was there, I learned of a fantastic single use product in hospitals that cuts down on effort for patients and linen for health care services too!

I brought home some samples & I've used them with many patients for many different reasons too.

Remember those hands?? They belonged to a patient with a chronic condition. The sponges couldn't cure him BUT they made it easier for him to manage his hygiene compared to soap & a flannel, they acted like a gentle exfoliant to slough off excess dry skin without further pain.

I used them with another patient who had extremely fragile skin & a sensitivity to all things soap and they soothed his extremely painful skin and cleansed his wounds at the same time.

I LOVE these sponges! I sourced another whole box and decided they needed to be shared...

Now they are in use with a number of other patients who use them for ease when they don't have the capacity or 'spoons' to manage more and they've proved very handy for post op and mobility compromised patients too. What's more they've been really well received by healthcare workers in the hospital system AND in the community because they take up so little space, they're incredibly handy & convenient AND they do a great job 🥳

Sometimes there are amazing things happening in health care in other parts of the world and all we need is a chance to see these products in use to really appreciate the difference they can make in the daily lives of those we care for.

Hoping after some really positive feedback that SarahCare might just be able to get these incredible products out here all the way from Granada in Spain!

06/08/2023

Hello! I know it's been a LONG time between posts and I sincerely apologise! Between being off work for medical reasons then returning to work and having so much to catch up on, I've let this page go wanting so I'm sorry 😞

It's so great to report though that we at SarahCare are making strides in continuing to support people in the community to stay at home, to recover post hospital stay, to advocate for their needs, to maintain their independence where possible. Essentially, to live their best life for as long as they can ❤️

From Alzheimers to Stroke, Parkinsons to the lesser known Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, from post op wound care to overnight care and from personal care to complex care. We do it all.

I want to take this opportunity to say thanks to my wonderful colleagues - Michele & Amiee you have both been the perfect addition to the SarahCare team. I know that you are out there doing your best work with nothing but dedication and utmost care and I can not thank you enough ❤️

It's a busy week ahead but I'll try to keep you informed as we go because there's lots happening this week at SarahCare - Community Nursing Done Differently.

11/06/2023

Whilst I'm convalescing after recent surgery, these two amazing women are taking care of all things SarahCare for me. Even nurses need a little help sometimes!

Amiee & Michele I am forever grateful to you for all that you do & what a great team we make. SarahCare wouldn't be the same without you 💕

13/05/2023

Sunny days are for living 💕

Today we started the day with preparing the family's evening meal - a scrumptious vegan meatball & vegetable sauce pasta 😋

Next we headed into Gisborne for a spot of morning tea at The Corner Coffee Bar then a short drive to visit Riddells Creek Nursery for a wander - we brought home this gorgeous Cyclamen for a special Mother's Day tomorrow ❤️💐

Next up a quick stop at the Gisborne Salvos where we found the most fabulous winter jacket 😍

Then home for lunch & a cuppa to finish out the afternoon ❤️

11/05/2023

Cooking up a storm of chocolate almond cookies AND delicious scones with jam and coconut cream 😋

Afternoon tea with her daughter, made by the patient herself (with a little guidance 😉): Priceless ❤️

09/05/2023

Today was a great day 🥳🥳🥳

Wound Care in Lancefield ✅️

Wound Care in Gisborne ✅️

GP appointment for a Sunbury patient ✅️

Checking in with a patient who headed into hospital today after a very long 2 year wait for surgery & ensuring there's something cheerful to brighten their day before & after their surgery from SarahCare ✅️

Shopping & Cooking in South Gisborne ✅️

Who doesn't love some delicious, belly warming soup on these cold, wet days?!

I love the versatility of this job & the difference SarahCare - Community Nursing Done Differently is making in people's lives 💕 Each of our patients is doing their best to heal, learn, remember, live their best life & we are so grateful for the opportunity to support them all way through - no matter what it is they are facing...

07/05/2023

Did you know that SarahCare - Community Nursing Done Differently can support you with overnight respite in your own home if you need it? Carer burnout, additional care needs following surgery or an acute medical concern are just some of the common circumstances we assist with. There's lots of other reasons why having someone to assist overnight on occasions might be exactly what you need. Even if you just need a chance to catch up on a good sleep whilst we do the night watch, we can help 💕

If this is a service that would be helpful to you or your loved ones, don't hesitate to contact Sarah & discuss further.

Image credit: Life In The Fast Lane - https://litfl.com/top-10-tips-on-surviving-nightshift/

02/05/2023

Take a look at what's happening over at SarahCare...

After a discussion to unpack some of the changes happening for one of our patients and her household, we were able to work closely with family to plan a change to our care approach & see if it might help ❤️ Carer Cheryl has been doing more amazing work with this client, to help her feel more contented and at ease, to reminisce about some of her fondest experiences & to find a way to access the memories that bring the most joy thereby enhancing her overall quality of life ❤️

Well done to Cheryl, the patient and a big thank you to the family for allowing us to provide this ongoing care & support. A little help goes a long way ❤️

01/05/2023

LIVING WITH DEMENTIA or ALZHEIMERS:

Oftentimes people ask me what they can do to support their loved one as they navigate Dementia or Alzheimers. The tricky part is how to support your loved one without also losing yourself because caring for someone as they lose more of their functioning memory and with that their memory of who both you and they are can be extremely distressing.

Some common things we see include the older person looking at their own reflection but no longer recognising the person looking back at them, having unfounded worries or concerns about their family & friends not wanting them around any more and intense feelings of loss. Loss of who they are, the things that were familiar and comforting to them, their role in the family and their understanding of where they fit in the grand scheme of life. For the carer/family member, it's the loss of the person who has previously raised them, taught them what they know, shown them how life works. There's a lot that's thankless for a loved one caring for their person with Dementia or Alzheimers because the days are often filled with constant reminders, the ever present & increasing need for support just to get through the day, the continued questions - who is that, when did that happen and possibly the most hurtful one of all, who are you? It makes it so hard to love and to care for someone every day without feeling overwhelmed and even at times, a little resentful.

So I offer you this suggestion. Try to imagine the world through the eyes of your loved one. Confused, uncertain and maybe even a little bit scared. Of knowing that you can't remember something but not knowing what that something was and especially being asked to trust someone who seems all too often a complete stranger to you. It's extremely challenging to do.

Over coming days, I'll share some of the incredible work we've been doing with one of our patients to make the transition through the different stages of Alzheimers just that little bit easier for both her & her family. It takes a whole lot of time, care, love and patience and we are here to support you through it because just like many hard things, it takes a village & SarahCare is here to help & we are each of us grateful for the opportunity ❤️

Image courtesy of Alzheimer's Association

27/04/2023

Yesterday was spent doing hydrotherapy & lunch out with one patient & assisting another patient with attending & managing an appointment with a panel of specialists. 2 other patients had appointments with doctors and another patient had some home help & assistance with physio & hand therapy. A huge day but a great day for changing lives ❤️

Lucky to work with such a great team ❤️

Tell us - how can we help you??