Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches

Dear Cathy, I just wanted to thank you for yesterday's training session. I truly appreciated the compassionate way you shared your knowledge and experiences with us. Your stories and guidance gave me a deeper understanding of what it means to be a support worker, and made me admire Dovida even more. The way Dovida prepared the orientation was excellent and very well-organised. It left a strong and positive impression on me, and I feel more confident and excited to start my journey with the team. Thank you again for your kindness, encouragement, and for making the training such a meaningful experience.

Even during awful crises, there are occasional bright graces. Connecting with Dovida Northern Beaches during Mum and Dad’s health decline was one such. It is one of the most extraordinary organisations I’ve ever encountered. With my sister busy with a business and young family and me living two hours away, we’ve leant heavily on the compassion, patience and outstanding capability of staff at Dovida to help care for our beloved elderly parents. Given the brief of preparing dinner for Mum who had complex dietary restrictions (gluten-, lactose-, soy, preservative-free diet, FODMAP- and gout-sensitive) – our wonderful carer researched and cooked from scratch, making gourmet fish pies and meltingly tender Italian meatballs, brightening her final year, as one of mums last pleasures was good food. Another carer helped Mum quilt, going above and beyond to give her purpose despite painful health struggles. Bespoke and inventive outings were also planned to keep Dad engaged. It’s a genuinely personal relationship. The reminder that while life inevitably includes deep grief and suffering, it is counterbalanced by deep human kindness, brought us immense comfort during an awful period. Nowhere else have I encountered such seemingly unconditional support and flexibility. So many times, I’ve felt stress and mortification on having to change plans for the third or fourth time in a week – to hear a cheerful voice saying “Not a problem, that’s what we’re here for. We understand!” which has reduced me to tears of relief. The office tracks every detail, never dropping the ball, and the carers—who make room in their own busy lives to help others—are unfailingly reliable. It’s like the angels have got your back. We are eternally grateful.

I highly recommend this company. The carers (Mini and Rosie) were absolute angels, and went above and beyond to help mum be comfortable at home, and the case manager (Jennifer) was professional, caring and supportive. The whole team was ready to help in anyway they could. Thanks so much.

Choosing this organisation was the best decision my family has made. Our brother's experience with his case manager and carers has been wonderful. The team are organised and clever, the communication is prompt and clear. The carers have become a vital part of our brother's life, and he has told me many times how important they are to him. The peace of mind it gives my family to know our brother is cared for so well, that he feels safe and listened to, that he has agency in his life, is precious. I recommend this organisation to others looking for care options for their loved ones.

Home Instead responded quickly when we suddenly needed assistance at home for my elderly mother. The carer was a perfect fit for my mother and the carer was able to step in with only a few days notice. I would highly recommend their services.

A wonderful, professional, empathetic organisation. The care and attention given to my mother is beyond appreciated. All of the staff are attentive and thoughtful and I am beyond blessed that Angela oversees my mum’s wellbeing. Cannot recommend more highly. Wonderful organisation.

Very kind and caring. Antoinette has been exceptional.

What a great team! Thank you for caring for my mum. G

The team here have been terrific. My parents Case Manager Jennifer H is on the ball and extremely fabulous at her job! Cheers lovely 🥰

I must say, Annette Wallace is an exceptional community representative at the Sydney North Shore and Northern beaches Home Instead office who has made a tremendous impact over the past year and a half. Her professionalism and friendliness are unmatched, and it's clear that she is incredibly passionate about her role. Annette's dedication to her job is truly admirable. She goes above and beyond to ensure that every interaction is not only productive but also pleasant and memorable. Her expertise and attention to detail have been invaluable to me, making every experience with her a very positive one. I cannot recommend Annette enough. If you're looking for someone who is not only highly skilled but also genuinely cares about the people she serves, Annette Wallace is the person you want to work with. Thank you, Annette, for your outstanding service and commitment! You have been such a pleasure to deal with 🩷🩷

Home Instead (North Shore Sydney) have been helping my sister stay in her unit since 2017, (way beyond what I thought was possible), so this is based on experience. In short, if you want a caring, efficient and amazing caring service, look no further. The help began before she had a care package. When needs increased, Home Instead organized one, which was good as I am not in the same State and didn't know the system. More recently, they arranged for increased care. Once again, they did it all. Home Instead have been brilliant at choosing carers who would get on well with my sister, (who has hearing and mobility problems). Only once was there a complaint, and after discussion they were happy to make a change. Home Instead have been very efficient at contacting me whenever problems have arisen, and discussing what should be done. It is a great relief to know that really caring people are looking after her. As mentioned, I am in another State. Currently, the carers are keeping her happily at home, doing shopping, cooking, cleaning, and taking her to medical and other appointments - just about everything, in other words. Just recently I found out that Home Instead has an after hours team, when there was a medical emergency. My sister was unable to contact family, and Home Instead handled the situation and arranged for an ambulance. I only found out about it later, when they were able to make contact. So I can recommend Home Instead to you if you are looking for a great group of carers. John Blaxland

We always think we will have more time to share with our loved ones who are frail and elderly. As a primary carer for an elderly parent in care, my life was busy and task oriented. When my elderly loved one was being attended to by the Palliative Care Team, I felt overwhelmed. As an only child, learning that my loved one’s health was unexpectedly deteriorating, I reached out to the team at Home Instead for support. The Home Instead office team assigned Caregivers promptly, putting into action everything I felt I needed to get through this time of high anxiety. A Caregiver sat with my loved one to comfort and support them when I had urgent tasks to do. After my loved one passed, they assisted me to cull and donate their possessions that remained at the care facility, a task that I was unable to do alone. When taking me to medical appointments, they engaged me in calming, and comforting conversation, and in doing so, helped me to process my loss. Deeply appreciate the care given to me by Caregivers; Nola, Louise, and Robyn who acted with kindness and tenderness. Wish to mention Stephanie, Jennifer, and Matt from the office for their efficient and compassionate service. Maria, Northern Beaches

My father was lucky enough to experience the wonderful care provided by the carers from Home Instead. My initial contact was so incredibly positive and the move from admin to care seamless. They took care of me and Dad with a minimum of fuss. All thanks to Jennifer, an amazing lady. The carers were respectful, kind and hard working, and were able to observe and report changes in Dads condition as they arose. I would highly recommend their services!

First class attention by all the staff constantly ringing to check if all is Ok and asking if anything is needed, took away all the difficult decisions when one is under stress, highly recommended. Don Heath

I am the owner of a mobile exercise physiology business (Rehab on the Road) and deal with many aged care providers. Home instead (North Shore and Northern Beaches) has been the most delightful to work with, very helpful, knowledgeable and show a great deal of compassion and care for their clients. Matthew and Jo have been a breath of fresh air to work with, extremely responsive willing to go the extra mile not only for their clients but for service providers like myself. Keep up the good work team.

There’s no denying that many aspects of old age are hard. But the help and care that the Home Instead team are providing to Mum is definitely making things a lot easier. Easier for Mum who loves her carers, is having her daily needs met and is enjoying the social interaction. And easier for me as her daughter who was trying so hard to keep her happy and safe in her own home. She now has a team helping to achieve this and it’s working so well! From the very first phone call I made to Home Instead, we couldn’t be happier with the level of service and care. From mums Care Manager through to the office staff and Mum’s three carers, the whole team is wonderful.

I want to thank you for the very good service you provided to my Husband. Impressively reliable and efficient, you were also thoughtful and kind. In choosing a suitable Caregiver I know you were mindful of a good match for my Husband, your efforts were fruitful and you succeeded, particularly with the Caregiver chosen, who was a brilliant match. Again, sincere thanks to you.