Community and family are at the heart of the home, according to Barb and Frank.

Barb, and her husband Frank, continue to live in their home into their 90s.

The couple are both receiving HomeLife care services to ensure they can stay at home for longer.

With an active family life, it was important to Barb and Frank that they continue to maintain their independence and not be seen as a burden on their family.

“We have a very good family, and they do look after us quite a lot and, you know, you’ve got health appointments and one thing after another,” Barb says.

“The family will do it if they can, but if they can’t I only have to ring up my package manager, and we have someone to do it instead.”

Their families are anchored by their home, and, as their family continued to bloom, it became even more important for them to have a place to call home.

“We have five children, and we have 11 grandchildren, and we now have nine great-grandchildren, and it’s always been a home and it’s always a place for them to come back to,” Barb says.

“The grandchildren always pop in when they are about. They’re a bit scattered now, there are some in Melbourne and some in the Gold Coast.

“As they get older, they go, which is natural. We have some here in Newcastle and we see a lot of the little ones when they come, and they are a delight, and we love them.”

Signing up for Anglican Care’s HomeLife services could not have come at a better time.

“I joined Anglican Care about six years ago, and, not long after, I had a stroke and I was in hospital and rehab for about three weeks,” Barb says.

“Since then, Anglican Care has been very helpful. And we would not be able to stay here in our home without the help we get from them.”

Barb and Frank have found comfort in the flexibility of their services, knowing that they can add on services as they need them.

“We made the right decision for us,” Barb adds.

“To stay in your own home means a lot and to have the help so that you can do that is even better.

“It’s our home we made together and [we want] to stay here as long as we can.”