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Caring, compassionate and consistent: The keys to quality home support

5 features that make a difference with in-home care
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Melissa Moloney, owner of Hilbre Home Support.

The hand-written note Melissa Moloney received in December was short, but its impact was overwhelming: “My life has been so much better since Hilbre came into it. Thank you.”

The note would have taken the writer, who is living with a brain injury, a seeming eternity to write, making the heartfelt sentiment all the more special, says Moloney, founder of Hilbre Home Support.

Originally from Australia, Moloney has enjoyed an extensive career in long-term care. Settling in Victoria four years ago, “I saw the need for a supportive, compassionate home care agency. There was a gap there,” she reflects.

1. Compassionate care to your home, when you need it: Today, with a team of nurses, aids and caregivers, Moloney serves clients with a wide variety of service needs, from an hour a week to emergent 24-hour care.

And someone local is always at the other end of the phone.

“If you find yourself in hospital with a broken arm and they’re sending you home to recuperate, you can call us to provide help, whether you’re an existing client or not,” Moloney says.

2. Care for all ages: While home care is often associated with seniors, Hilbre’s youngest client is 25. “It’s for anyone who needs any level of assistance in the home and we can transition and adapt the service as time goes on,” Moloney explains.

And because Hilbre is managed by a nurse, that level of knowledge and experience is reflected in the care, ranging from pre- and post-surgery support to 24-hour palliative care.

3. It’s not all about medical care: While nurses and care aids form the foundation of Hilbre Home Support, services also include everything from assisted walks and grocery shopping to housekeeping and home maintenance.

4. An assessment finds the right fit: “But I don’t want a stranger in my home.” It’s not unusual for older clients to be wary of having someone in the home to provide care, but that’s where experience and compassion make a difference. “Our client relationships begin with an initial in-home consultation to get a sense of the client’s needs, goals and personality, to ensure we connect them with the best caregiving team for them,” Moloney says. “We really pay attention to their comfort level.”

5. Modern technology, traditional approach: At a time when families are often living out of town, or balancing children and work commitments with care for an aging parent, home support can be vital to keeping loved ones connected and informed. Through Hilbre’s online system, clients and families can log in at any time to see which caregiver is coming and when, plus notes about how the visit went.

“I love that I’m able to keep people at home in a safe environment and help create a better quality of life for them,” Moloney says. “It’s so rewarding.”