Caring in a time of national need

For Angels in Aprons, a home care provider in Queensland, providing care has never been a 9 am to 5 pm service provision.

But with COVID-19 making a resurgence in the community due to the new Omicron variant, Sharon Douglas, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Angels in Aprons, wants the whole home care sector to work together to provide the best care possible and bring joy to the lives of vulnerable people in the community.

Mrs Douglas says that providing home care is about entering a client’s world and seeing their lives from their perspective, and walking alongside them to help maintain their dignity and independence.

“The past three years have tested us all, however, it is now when everyone is weary that traditional providers need to stand up and start thinking about care differently,” says Mrs Douglas.

“Just showing up for a shift and turning the lights on for a client isn’t good enough. We can all talk the talk, but are we all walking the walk?

“For our clients, we are their motivation, we are their safety net, and we are their guardian ‘Angels’.”

The organisation was founded on principles of consumer directed care and the services they provide are more important than ever going into this new year.

Working through the ongoing pandemic, Angels in Aprons have continued to go above and beyond and assist their clients to reconnect with their hobbies, such as through equine therapy, decluttering homes, taking clients camping, and even jetskiing!

For Angels in Aprons, going above and beyond is their everyday normal as a provider and they want to be at the forefront of changing how care is delivered to Australia’s most vulnerable.

“People are demanding connection and trust with those that they welcome into their homes and Angels in Aprons work tirelessly with our clients and their families to achieve this,” says Mrs Douglas.

“This past Christmas, we were pseudo family members for those that weren’t able to make it. We were even fortunate enough to help clients home for Christmas so that they could celebrate with their loved ones.

“Our ‘Angels’ even brought their families and their clients together to ensure that no one went without.”

Angels in Aprons provides care and support to clients 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and is always a call away to help anyone that needs support, whether that is within the industry, at home, or out in the community.

Mrs Douglas says that as a home care sector, uniting during these difficult times will make the industry stronger, and the organisation is willing to assist other home care providers.

Mrs Douglas adds, “We also get a lot of joy working alongside our industry partners, and health professionals, banding together to think differently about care.

“I believe this year, providers will be pushed to levels never seen or experienced before.”

To find out more about what services Angels in Aprons provides, visit their website or call on 07 3356 2563.