Home Instead has awarded Adelaide’s Leonie McCallum 2015 Australian CAREGiver of the Year. The award recognises Leonie’s outstanding commitment to providing quality, compassionate care that enhances the lives of seniors and their families.

Leonie, a mum of two, is recognised for her exceptional level of personal care, dedication to her diverse range of clients and impressive professional skills.

Mark McBriarty, Managing Director of Home Instead Adelaide East said re-enablement and capacity building are hallmarks of Leonie’s care.

“Leonie is relentless in her pursuit of enabling a better quality of life, by engaging her clients and rediscovering hobbies or interests that brings a sparkle to their eye.”

“Leonie is particularly special; she is positive, enthusiastic and encouraging yet humble, empathetic, and respectfully discreet. With a wonderfully witty sense of humour, Leonie never takes herself too seriously – but her steely determination in enhancing her client’s circumstances is a constant reminder of how lucky we are to do what we do.”

“Leonie always takes the lead and goes above and beyond in providing the care and support her clients and their families.

“For one particular client, Leonie’s person-centred approach to care and effective leadership style ensured they were engaged and involved in all decisions – whether that be organising repairs and maintenance, designing weekly menus or choosing their next outing – the client always felt in control. With Leonie’s assistance and direction, the client was able to visit the South Australia Zoo and Museum for the very first time, adopt a cat, socialise and eat a weekly lunch at the Hungarian Club.

“Leonie ensured his last moments at home were experienced exactly the way he wanted and he lived 15 months longer than his GP originally anticipated. Leonie consistently exemplifies what Home Instead values look like when put in practice and is certainly the best example of what it means to be a Home Instead CAREGiver,” says Mark.

Incredibly grateful to be given this prestigious honour, Leonie said she has always felt a genuine compassion for seniors.

“When I moved to Adelaide a few years ago, I had the chance to do what I always wanted to do, which was to work in aged care and I soon felt that this is what I was born to do, that this is my calling.

“I always encourage my clients to ‘seize the day’ in their own way and I love that the small things I do can bring a smile and sparkle to their eye and make a positive difference in their lives.

“Becoming a CAREGiver has its responsibilities and challenges, but for me it is truly rewarding.” Leonie says that she feels incredibly proud to be given this prestigious award,” says Leonie.

With a national network of 23 independently owned and operated offices in Australia, Home Instead is a growing business that prides itself on providing seniors and their families the best in-home care they need to live independently at home.

Each year, each Home Instead office awards four CAREGivers of the Quarter and from them, awards their local CAREGiver of the Year. Each office then nominates their CAREGiver of the Year for the National CAREGiver of the Year, which Leonie has been awarded for 2015. A panel of industry professionals review all National CAREGiver of the Year nominations to ultimately select the most exceptional CAREGiver to receive the honour.

Whether it’s a little extra help with meal preparation, escorting you to appointments, providing companionship whilst shopping or assistance with more complex care such as showering and dressing, or supporting palliative care at home; an outstanding Home Instead CAREGiver can help.