Helping Hand

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Helping Hand

Helping Hand is a not-for-profit offering help at home, allied health, retirement living & residential care homes to over 7,000 South Australians.

Our mission is to create communities and experiences to enable older people to live their best lives. Helping Hand is a not-for-profit organisation offering home care services, retirement living and residential care homes to over 7,000 South Australians.

02/09/2026

PEOPLE OF HELPING HAND

Full of character, laughter and life experience.

Meet Isobel, whose quick wit and vibrant personality have made her a much-loved resident at Helping Hand's Yeltana Residential Care Home in Whyalla.

Born in Edinburgh, Scotland, Isobel moved to Australia aged 26, three years after marrying her husband, Ian.

"I wasn't a great traveller, so how I came to Australia, I have no idea," Isobel laughed.

"It must have been a mad moment."

The couple spent 10 years living in the Western Australian bush, where Isobel quickly embraced her new life.

"I loved it. Despite living in the bush, everything was surprisingly green," she recalls.

One memory that still makes her smile is visiting the local store after a period of heavy rain and storms.

"I was naive and couldn't understand why all the shelves were empty," she said.

"The shopkeeper had put a few things aside for people like me. She made sure I had the important things like powdered milk, margarine, tea and coffee."

During their time in Western Australia, Isobel and Ian worked with young people, helping them develop life skills, while raising their two sons, Mark and Grant.

Later, Ian accepted a position with BHP and the family, including their two dogs, made the journey to Whyalla.

"We travelled across the Nullarbor when it was mainly gravel," Isobel said.

"There were huge puddles and we got stuck. Luckily, a gentleman travelling behind us stopped to help."

Although Whyalla was a world away from the misty mountains of the Scottish landscape, it wasn’t long before it became home.

"When I reflect on everything, Ian and I had a wonderful life," she said.

An avid cyclist in her younger years, Isobel also loved dancing and still recalls many fond memories of taking to the dance floor with Ian.

Their connection with Helping Hand began 10 years ago when Ian injured his back and the couple moved into an independent living unit at Yeltana.

Sadly, Ian passed away around six years ago and as her own care needs changed, Isobel moved into residential care at Yeltana, remaining connected to the community she loves.

"I like to think of myself as an outward person, more of an extrovert," Isobel said.

It's this outgoing nature that has made Isobel so beloved. Today she enjoys tending to her own patch of greenery, drying rose petals to make potpourri and catching up with her sons when they visit.

Having called Yeltana home for the past decade, first in independent living and now in residential care, Isobel continues to embrace life with the same humour, warmth and resilience that have shaped her remarkable journey.

If you're considering residential care for yourself or a loved one and would like to learn more about Helping Hand's Yeltana Residential Care Home in Whyalla, visit our website or register your interest here: helpinghand.org.au/locations/whyalla-yeltana/

01/09/2026

Joy, stories and noodle sword battles — every Wednesday at Ingle Farm

If you walk into Ingle Farm Residential Care Home on a Wednesday morning, you’ll find pure joy in motion.

Pool noodle battles between four year olds and grey haired friendly foes. Balloons bouncing down a long table as residents tap them back and forth. A play mat covered in cars, Duplo and marble towers. Smiles everywhere you look.

And right in the middle of it all? Theo, age four — the unofficial mascot with two great grandmothers living onsite. He comes every week with his grandparents, Anne and Wayne, to attend the intergenerational playgroup and visit family.

His visit often encourages Anne’s Mum, Dorothy (92), to come out of her room in the Memory Support Unit. She lights up around Theo and loves chatting with him about cars and animals.

Eating fruit salad with the residents is another routine that Theo enjoys. He chats with them all. Not to mention story time, led by resident Cynthia, who is so animated she has everyone hooked. Theo couldn’t pull his chair closer if he tried.

No one can resist the joy of the music. Volunteers like Lynn bring the energy. Lifestyle staff like Braydn bring the fun. And families bring the magic.

Want to be part of it? Wayne’s Mum, Maureen (92), said it best: “It’s a pity more don’t come.”

So, here’s your invitation. If you have little ones who’d love a warm, welcoming playgroup — and you’d love to see them build beautiful connections across generations — the Ingle Farm team would love to have you.

When: Wednesdays, 10:00–11:30 am during school terms. Get in touch to join in the fun — give us a call on 1300 653 600.

29/08/2026

From post-war Italy to Whyalla, Liliana's story is one of resilience, family and finding a place to call home.

Her journey has taken her across continents and through life's many challenges, but her warmth, determination and love of sharing food continue to bring people together at Copperhouse Court.

Read Liliana's inspiring story in the latest edition of At Home with Helping Hand.

https://www.helpinghand.org.au/about-us/resources/our-publications/

23/08/2026

It's Speech Pathology Week (23–29 August) and we're celebrating the important role speech pathologists play in helping people communicate, connect and enjoy a better quality of life.

This year's theme, Communication creates possibility, highlights how supporting communication and swallowing can open up opportunities for people to connect with others, express their choices, participate in everyday life and thrive.

At Helping Hand, our speech pathologists are part of our dedicated Allied Health team, working alongside residents to support communication and swallowing, helping them maintain their health, independence and wellbeing.

Thank you to our wonderful speech pathologists for the care, expertise and encouragement you bring every day. Your work makes a real difference to the lives of the people we support.

Find out more about Speech Pathology Week here: https://tinyurl.com/sp-week

22/08/2026

From Kuwait to Jamestown, more than 11,000 kilometres away.

T***y Mol Antony and her family have embraced life in regional South Australia, finding a welcoming, close-knit community in Jamestown and becoming involved in local schools, church and community events.

T***y’s story was recently featured in the Port Pirie Recorder, sharing how regional life has become a rewarding new chapter for her family.

Find out more about T***y’s journey: https://www.helpinghand.org.au/from-kuwait-to-jamestown/

20/08/2026

PEOPLE OF HELPING HAND

Daughter, wife, mother and lifelong carer.

Meet Rita, whose connection to Helping Hand spans generations. Her mother, husband and now Rita herself have all called Yeltana, Whyalla home.

Born in Italy, Rita migrated to Australia with her mum and older brother when she was just six years old, to join her father Giovanni in Western Australia before moving to Whyalla.

"He was a tailor and set up his own shop," Rita said.

"I used to help him during the school holidays. He would tack and I would hem."

At 22, Rita married Dominic after the pair met through mutual friends.

"Dominic ended up in Whyalla by chance, after a train breakdown in Port Augusta changed his plans," Rita said.

"We later met and the rest is history."

Together they raised four children, two daughters and twin boys Rita affectionately calls her "two surprises".

At just 16 years old, Rita took on a caring role when her mum, Lucia, became unwell.

Decades later, she would become a resident at the very home that had once cared for her mother.

"After I was married, we lived just seven houses down from mum and I used to see her every day," Rita said.

"A nurse taught me how to support mum with her care needs at home.”

When those needs increased, that same nurse suggested Rita visit the local nursing home.

"After I toured the place and found out there were no restrictions on when I could see mum, she moved in straight away," Rita said.

"That home is now this one, what we know today as Helping Hand Yeltana."

Years later, Rita's husband Dominic moved into residential care at Yeltana.

Rita would visit regularly, to spend time with him and taking him on outings. She later moved into one of Yeltana's independent living units herself, before a fall left her with a broken leg and needing a knee reconstruction.

"My daughter joked that I can't get on planes anymore because I have steel in my knee and ankle!" she laughed.

Following her fall, Rita moved into residential care, where she reconnected with old friends and made new ones.

"I actually bumped into an old friend of mine, Natalie, who is also a resident here and who I have known since I was 17!"

Today, Rita enjoys the sense of community at Yeltana and regularly takes part in activities including bingo and chair yoga.

Having seen Helping Hand care for many of those she holds dear, Rita is excited about Yeltana's future.

One of the things she is most excited about is seeing the redevelopment works currently underway breathe new life into shared spaces, creating more opportunities for residents to connect and spend time together.

After a lifetime spent caring for others, Rita is now receiving the care and support she needs at Yeltana.

To learn more about the Yeltana redevelopment and Helping Hand's commitment to strengthening aged care in Whyalla, visit https://ow.ly/438150ZBjfY

18/08/2026

We are seeking a compassionate and dedicated Registered Nurse to join our team in Port Pirie. This is an excellent opportunity to deliver high-quality resident care, work within a supportive team, and make a meaningful impact in the local community.

Apply today and take the next step in your nursing career: https://tinyurl.com/port-pirie-rn

16/08/2026

Some recipes are about much more than food.

This edition of At Home with Helping Hand features two much-loved family favourites, including Khama's hearty beef stew and Liliana's traditional gnocchi and sugo recipe.

If you're looking for some winter cooking inspiration, this one's for you.

https://www.helpinghand.org.au/about-us/resources/our-publications/

15/08/2026

"My husband and I are ever grateful for all the help we receive."
"Thank you for all that you do, the detail matters and it all makes a difference.”
"You truly are worth your weight in gold.”

These are just a few of the messages shared by residents, clients, families and colleagues as we celebrated Aged Care Employee Day last week.

Behind every message is a story of compassion, connection and care.

Today, we're proud to share some of these words of appreciation and celebrate the incredible people who make our work possible: our staff.

To every member of the Helping Hand team, thank you for the difference you make in the lives of older South Australians every day.

13/08/2026

For one Helping Hand client, the GLA:D Program has made a real difference.

“It has strengthened my body and mind, and I'm enjoying life. My greatest fear was that I would lose my independence, but now I know that you can grow older and still enjoy life. I'm GLAD I did the program. Thank you.”

The GLA:D Program is an evidence-based education and exercise program for people living with hip or knee osteoarthritis, and is offered at our Wellbeing Centres.

The sessions combine exercise and practical information to help participants build strength, manage pain and feel more confident doing the things they enjoy.

If hip or knee osteoarthritis is making everyday activities harder, the GLA:D Program may be able to help.

Interested in finding out more? Call us on 1300 444 663.

Address

PO Box 66, North Adelaide
Adelaide, SA
5000

Telephone

+611300653600

Website

https://www.helpinghand.org.au/

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