Meet The Cowra Local Travelling 1500km To Care For Seniors In Their Own Homes

If the Proclaimers’ song was about Elizabeth Read, the lyrics would be ‘I would drive 1,500km and I would drive 1,500 more’. When she’s not in her car, the dedicated Cowra local is providing care to local seniors across the Central West, empowering them to live and age well in their homes and communities.

Elizabeth, a Care Service Employee with BaptistCare at home Central West, often drives over 1,500 kilometres in a fortnight to provide essential care to seniors, helping them live independently in their homes.

“I live in Cowra, so I’m always starting there and then I might do a client transport to Wagga Wagga, Canberra or Dubbo in a day,” she said.

“Plus, I have clients who live all over the central West, from Forbes, to Young, Bathurst, Orange and everywhere in between.”

“It’s all worth it, though. There’s nothing more rewarding than spending time with a client in their home and town and supporting them to stay there for as long as possible,” Elizabeth explained.

Along with the rest of the BaptistCare at home team across the central west, Elizabeth works with clients to support them however they need.

“People’s care levels are different, so we work with them and their family to keep them happy, well and at home,” she said.

“It’s really important work and I love it. To spend time with my clients and hear their stories but also know that we are keeping families and community together through the work we do.”

After years working in retail, Elizabeth found her calling in aged care, using her people skills to make a difference in seniors’ lives “I always found time to chat to the older shoppers who would come in and decided to see if I could make that my job full time,” she explained.

“I think a lot of people have no idea what it’s like working in aged care and we need to change that. Yes, it can be showering and personal care, but it’s also social connection, helping people stay active in the community, getting them to their appointments, and empowering people to continue to take care of themselves with a bit of support.”

“I’m always amazed at the stories clients tell me about their life, the history of the area and the wisdom they share,” she reflected.