Her nickname is “Bush Girl”, a rodeo fan who grew up on a dairy farm, and she is a regular at country music festivals at Tamworth, Gympie and “all over the place”.
Rye McGinn loves the tranquillity of living in rural Walloon, west of Brisbane, yet a serious accident shattered her life.
Two years ago, Rye broke her back in three places after falling from her motorhome. Two months later another fall landed her in hospital where an infection affected her fingers, toes and limbs.
On returning home, after another stay in hospital for a few months, Rye decided she needed assistance to continue living in her home of 40 years.
“After I broke my back I was having difficulty getting around. It wasn’t very long until I had another fall and I got septicaemia and ended up in hospital, and that’s where Carinity came in to help,” Rye says.
“Carinity help me with preparing meals and my hygiene and make sure the house is reasonable for me to get around in.
“They do my washing once a week and do the shopping. They notice if something’s out of place and if something needs doing – they do it.”
Receiving support from Carinity Home Care allows Rye to continue living independently.
Carinity Lifestyle Carers visit her twice daily and they understand her circumstances and particular needs.
“Someone that comes to see you regularly, they get know you and understand you a bit better and they get a lot more done than someone that’s not here as often,” Rye says.
“It’s nice to see their smiling faces and see them happy and telling me little stories about their husbands. I find them very helpful and very polite. They’re nice people.”
Rye feels more confident in everyday living and attends hydro-therapy classes at a pool in Ipswich twice a week with assistance from Carinity.
Leah Rose, from Carinity Home Care Ipswich-West Moreton, says receiving help at home has enabled Rye to regain her confidence.
“It’s been a pleasure to see how far she’s come in the last 12 months and the fact that she’s been able to remain at home,” Leah says.
“Buzzing around using her walker enables her to be a little bit more independent in getting around her home.”
Carinity Home Care offers a full range of services to support seniors remain living independently at home including household support, nursing care, personal grooming, and getting out and about to the shops with friends in the local community.
For more on Carinity Home Care visit CarinityHomeCare.org.au or phone 1300 109 109.
