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  • Wheelchair-accessible bus will help Port Pirie seniors on the move

    • Wheelchair-accessible bus will help Port Pirie seniors on the move

    Residents at Helping Hand’s Lealholme aged care home in Port Pirie, South Australia, will have an easier time getting around town with a new accessible 12-seater bus.

    The bus – which cost $90,000 and comes with a built-in wheelchair lift – was made possible thanks to fundraising efforts by the local community, as well as a combined $33,000 in donations from the Freemasons.

    According to Helping Hand Chief Executive Chris Stewart (pictured), the bus will give residents more opportunity to get out and about on excursions after two years of COVID restrictions, while also reducing the reliance on wheelchair-accessible taxis or lifts from good Samaritans.

    “Whether it be through the cake stalls, raffles, market stalls or garage sales we’ve held, the Port Pirie aged care community will benefit from having a new bus around town. It has been a team effort to meet our fundraising milestone.

    “This will enhance the lives of Lealholme residents, and their families have been telling us how much they’re looking forward to being out more often and having more social opportunities. Having a new bus will encourage independence, stimulate memories and interaction, and bring more light to many people’s lives,” he said.

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    A special thanks to our contributors

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    Jill Donaldson

    Physiotherapist

    Jill has been practicing as a clinical physiotherapist for 30 years. For the last 13 years she has worked solely in the Aged Care sector in more than 50 metropolitan and regional facilities. Jill has also toured care facilities in the US and Africa and is a passionate advocate for both the residents in aged care and the staff who care for them. She researches and writes for DCM Media.

    Read Profile
    Icons
    Chris Baynes

    DCM Media, agedcare101

    Chris has been a journalist and publisher in the retirement village and aged care sectors for 11 years. He has visited over 250 retirement villages and 50 aged care facilities both within Australia and internationally. Chris is a regular speaker at industry conferences plus is a frequent radio commentator.

    Read Profile
    Icons
    Annie Donaldson

    Nurse and Carer

    Annie has a long career in both nursing and the media. She has planned and co-ordinated the medical support from both international TV productions and major stadium events. In recent years she has been a primary family carer plus involved in structured carer support.

    Read Profile
    Icons
    Jill Donaldson

    Physiotherapist

    Jill has been practicing as a clinical physiotherapist for 30 years. For the last 13 years she has worked solely in the Aged Care sector in more than 50 metropolitan and regional facilities. Jill has also toured care facilities in the US and Africa and is a passionate advocate for both the residents in aged care and the staff who care for them. She researches and writes for DCM Media.

    Read Profile
    Icons
    Chris Baynes

    DCM Media, agedcare101

    Chris has been a journalist and publisher in the retirement village and aged care sectors for 11 years. He has visited over 250 retirement villages and 50 aged care facilities both within Australia and internationally. Chris is a regular speaker at industry conferences plus is a frequent radio commentator.

    Read Profile
    Icons
    Annie Donaldson

    Nurse and Carer

    Annie has a long career in both nursing and the media. She has planned and co-ordinated the medical support from both international TV productions and major stadium events. In recent years she has been a primary family carer plus involved in structured carer support.

    Read Profile