Vanessa is a vibrant 52-year-old woman who has been living with Huntington’s disease since her early 30s. She joined the Caring Australia community 12 months ago and, while her condition has progressed — impacting her mobility and speech — Vanessa continues to live with resilience, supported around the clock by our dedicated team.

Although communication has become more challenging, Vanessa is still able to express her needs with the support and patience of our experienced staff. She receives 24/7 care, including assistance with personal care, domestic tasks, medication administration, cooking, and mealtime support.

Vanessa also works closely with a behavioural therapist every fortnight and enjoys regular community access — getting out and about four times a week, as well as on weekends, with the help of her external care team.  

She finds joy in the simple pleasures — watching TV, sipping coffee, heading to the beach, or chatting about the weather and footy. These moments are important to her, and our team makes sure she continues to experience them fully.

Vanessa is supported by a strong network of professionals and informal supports who are all committed to helping her maintain a high quality of life. She especially looks forward to visiting her informal supports during special occasions like Christmas, always accompanied by a staff member. One of her annual highlights is attending the Easter Show, where she enjoys collecting show bags and indulging in her favourite treats.

Vanessa’s story is a testament to the power of personalised care, connection, and the importance of living life to the fullest — no matter the challenges.