Melissa remembers the moment she realised things weren't working out.
Living five hours away from her mum, Narelle, she was used to staying in touch through phone calls and quick updates to keep everything on track. But as Narelle got older and needed more help, it became clear that the support she had just wasn't enough.
Availability from the provider she was with was limited to weekdays between the hours 9 to 5, which made Melissa worry about whether her mum might eventually need to move into a care home.
That's when the family turned to Hireup.
A flexible and personal approach
Instead of being assigned whoever was available, Narelle could choose the support workers who came into her home.
She could review support worker profiles on the Hireup platform, have conversations, and take the time to find someone who felt right before making a booking.
“We’ve been able to meet [support workers], invite them in, and mum gets to make the decision about who she wants,” Melissa explains.
And Will, Narelle’s cat, soaks it all up. “He thinks they’ve come for him,” Narelle laughs.
Being able to make that decision for herself was important to Narelle, particularly when it came to personal care services like assistance with showering and toileting.
Having that choice has made all the difference.
Reconnecting with her community
Narelle’s family first used Hireup to help her attend a performance at her local Player’s Theatre.
Narelle used to love going to shows with her friend, Nola, who has since passed away, leaving a gap in Narelle’s social life.
To help bridge this gap, the family connected with Sally, a Hireup support worker, who accompanied Narelle to her first show. Sally has continued to take Narelle to shows ever since.
“It was just a fantastic experience for mum,” says Melissa.
“She hadn’t been in years, and afterwards she told me how good it felt to be out in the community again, reconnecting with familiar faces.”
Support that fits real life
Today, Narelle has a small, consistent team of Hireup support workers she knows and trusts.
They help with everyday things, such as tidying, washing, preparing meals as well as personal care. But what stands out to Melissa isn’t just what they do, it’s how they do it.
“They’re kind, reliable, engaging,” she says. “They genuinely care.”
For Melissa and her sister, it’s the immediate updates and open communication means they’re never left wondering how their mum is doing.
“I'll get the real-time information about what's going on and I can often step in,” she explains. “It's more seamless.”
Peace of mind
For Narelle, Hireup means staying in her own home for longer than she thought possible. While for Melissa and her sister, Hireup gives them peace of mind.
“The office staff reflect the same culture of care,” Melissa says.
“Knowing workers receive ongoing training is reassuring, and the real-time updates give my sister and me peace of mind.”
“It’s knowing there are people who truly care about her and want the best for her too.”
