The voice and face of Tracey Spicer will be familiar to most of us, but behind the professional newsreader exterior lies a hidden story.
“Many of you may not know that while I was working full-time and raising two children, I was also caring for my beautiful, beloved grandfather during his final years,” Spicer shared.
“My dear dad now has emphysema and he has care and support in the home,” she added.
Spicer has been working with her family to help organise the support services her father needs.
“I wish I had known a whole lot earlier about the help that’s available out there in this process,” admits Spicer.
In a welcome move for Spicer, she has been appointed ambassador of Your Side, an organisation that helps people access the support services they need to help them live a full life in their community as they grow older. Your Side helps with planning and helping people connect to My AgedCare to receive Home Care Package support.
Your Side estimates it saves families 200 hours a year, allowing carers to live a more balanced life.
“If I’d talked to an organisation like Your Side earlier, I wouldn’t have had all the frustration of having to do all the research and care coordination myself. I could have spent that time with my loved ones,” revealed Spicer.
In her new role as Your Side ambassador, Spicer will be talking to the company’s CEO, Danielle Ballantine, in two filmed ‘In Conversation’ sessions.
The duo will discuss how care planning early can help enable ageing loved ones to stay safe in their own homes for longer, and the challenges people face finding the right help in the complex aged care system. The themes and recommendations from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety will also be covered.
“Your Side is thrilled to have Tracey as our ambassador,” said Ballantine. “She is not only an experienced and Walkley Award-winning journalist, but a wonderful person who has stood up for what she believes in.
“Tracey has been a fearless spokesperson and influencer throughout her career with an authentic connection to equality and social justice.”
Tracey and the team at Your Side say it’s time to reframe how we think about ageing. Older people should no longer be considered passive recipients of care.
“Just because you are getting older doesn’t mean you are not physically or mentally active enough to contribute to the decisions around the care you receive,” said Spicer.
To get in contact with Your Side, you can call 1300 134 332 or email customercare@yourside.org.au.
I have worked in aged care for 40+ years before retiring and never realised the amount of support that was available to keep people in their home.My partners cancer became untreatable and I decided I wanted to keep him at home until the end. I have been overwhelmed and amazed at the amount of services out there that enabled me to keep him home. There were so many support services for both my partner and I, that allowed myself and the family to keep him at home during his final months.