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.
22/02/2026
Pam’s story is a lovely reminder of how much connection matters. After joining Helping Hand’s Social Connections program, she found her place with the Golden Girls, a group filled with friendship, laughter and support. Pam says being part of the group has helped her feel more confident and outgoing, and given her something to look forward to each week. Her story shows how the right connections can make everyday life brighter.
Meet Pam and read more stories from across Helping Hand in the latest At Home: helpinghand.org.au/about-us/resources/our-publications
20/02/2026
Today is International Mother Language Day, a day to celebrate the beauty and importance of language around the world.
Across Helping Hand, our residents and clients speak more than 20 different languages, and our staff speak nearly 60. Every language represents a lifetime of stories, traditions and memories.
For many older people, their first language is the language of comfort. It’s the language of childhood, family and home. Being able to speak and be understood in that language helps people feel safe, respected and truly known.
International Mother Language Day reminds us that diversity is something to value and protect. We’re proud to be recognised as an Inclusive Employer by Diversity Council Australia, reflecting our commitment to inclusion for our residents, clients, families and staff.
Today, we celebrate every language spoken across our community, and the connections they create.
20/02/2026
Have you listened to this podcast episode yet?
Our podcast episode, Supporting the Loved Ones of those with Dementia, takes an honest look at what it means to care for someone you love as their memory and abilities change.
It’s a conversation about:
• The emotional toll on families
• The day-to-day challenges carers manage
• Finding support and connection along the way
If you’re walking this journey with someone, or supporting families who are, this episode is well worth a listen.
Meet Julie, a 72‑year‑old retiree, mother of two, and former CommBank Officer. She is also the daughter of Dorothy, who has called Helping Hand Golden Grove home for the past five years, and has lived in the Memory Support Unit (MSU) for the past year.
She can still clearly recall the moment she realised her mum needed extra support.
“My dad had recently passed away, and I’d gone to pick mum up for Christmas Day,” Julie said.
“When I arrived, her door was locked, which was unusual. I found her inside, lying against the wall after a fall. She wasn’t wearing her call bell, and I frantically had to call an ambulance.”
That day made it clear that living independently was no longer safe for Dorothy and as an only child, Julie knew she needed to make the right decision for her mum.
“I was so lucky that Modbury Hospital could care for her while I organised next steps,” she said.
As she explored her options, one place stood out to Julie.
“I came across Helping Hand by chance. There was just something about the look of the home and the staff. It felt right. Golden Grove was also close to me, which was an added bonus,” she said.
Before long, Julie was speaking with the Helping Hand admissions team.
“They made the whole process seamless. They really went above and beyond for us,” Julie said.
The transition wasn’t easy at first.
“Initially, mum wasn’t too happy that she wasn’t coming home with me. Yet from the moment we walked into Helping Hand Golden Grove, the staff made us feel welcome and really helped mum settle in,” she said.
“Now they’re like family to me. I stop and chat with everyone and the admin team are so friendly, they always make the time to give me a hug hello.”
Julie cannot speak highly enough of the Golden Grove team.
“I feel so reassured knowing mum is well cared for. When I visit, I see how much they genuinely care for her and treat her with kindness and patience. For example, if she isn’t ready for medication, they are so gentle with her and simply come back later,” she said.
She has deep respect for the staff in the MSU and a strong appreciation for the unit itself, a specialised unit within the home designed to support residents living with dementia in a calm and safe environment.
“All of the staff seem so well suited to this work and are genuinely caring. Especially Bishal, a care worker in the MSU. I actually nominated him for an internal staff There to Care award last year,” she recalls.
“He brings such calm. Nothing is ever too hard for him. He’ll pick up dishes as he walks past, gently reposition residents like John with pillows so they’re comfortable. It’s all the little things.”
For Julie, the support shown extends far beyond Dorothy.
“They look after me as well as Mum. I’m always greeted warmly and kept updated on how she’s doing. They share photos and make sure I know what’s happening. They care for both of us, so I can relax knowing mum is in good hands,” she said.
17/02/2026
Happy Lunar New Year! Also referred to as Chinese New Year, the date follows the Chinese Lunar Calendar based on the orbits of the moon and the earth.
The Chinese calendar is linked to 12 zodiac animals, with 2026 marking the Year of the Horse. People born in the Year of the Horse are believed to be lively, charming, adventurous and natural leaders and motivators. Is this your year? Years of the Horse include 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014 and 2026.
New Year celebrations last for 16 days - for local celebrations, check out details of the Lunar New Year Street Party in Gouger Street on 21 February on Chinatown Adelaide SA Inc. page.
16/02/2026
Tuesday Tips to live your best 60+ life!
Tip of the week: Jar of Good Things
Collect joy like treasures – they’ll brighten even the hardest days. Keep a jar in your kitchen or living room and drop in small notes about good things that happen – a nice compliment, a sunny day, a laugh with a friend. On tough days, open the jar and read a few.
09/02/2026
Tuesday Tips to live your best 60+ life!
Tip of the week: Tech-Free Meals
Put the phone down, and taste every bite. Make at least one meal a day free of screens: no phones, TV, or tablets. It encourages mindful eating, better digestion, and richer conversations with whoever’s at the table (even if it’s just you).
07/02/2026
Strike a pose with Chair Yoga
A gentle stretch, a mindful breath and a moment of calm — Chair Yoga offers all three. Our Home Care clients Chris and Graham share how this accessible practice has helped them stay active and connected.
Find their story and more health and wellbeing tips in At Home with Helping Hand: helpinghand.org.au/about-us/resources/our-publications
04/02/2026
PEOPLE OF HELPING HAND
Ivan – Cabinet maker by trade, well-travelled across Australia, and former member of a barbershop quartet.
Meet Ivan, who is as quick as a whip and as sharp as a knife at the age of 88. He lives at Helping Hand’s Belalie Lodge in Jamestown, where he enjoys a sunny room with views of the street, trees, and sky. These views remind him of his time living and working on a station in Western Australia.
Born in Adelaide in 1937, Ivan trained as a cabinet maker at a technical school in Goodwood.
“I had a lot of fun in my teens,” he said.
His family also had ties to the fruit industry, and Ivan later joined his father in that field after finishing his trade.
After five and a half years, Ivan was offered the opportunity to become Assistant Manager at a tenpin bowling centre in 1965.
“Two years later I was approached to move up to Whyalla and manage the local Bowling Centre there,” he said.
After the business was taken over, Ivan went to Perth for a holiday. He then moved to the Nullarbor to work on a station with his brother, before returning to Adelaide to live with his parents.
A twist of fate saw the same tenpin bowling centre he worked for 1965 re-hired him after hearing he was back in town.
“Back then it was thought that if you were a bowler and worked in a bowling centre you could bowl all the time. This was not true,” he said.
However, bowling wasn’t Ivan’s passion as he was more focused on establishing a career. Keeping an eye out for job postings in the paper, he eventually applied for a motel manager role. After successfully landing the position, he moved to Alice Springs in 1970 to manage the Elkira Court Motel—still operating to this day!
“I really enjoyed my three years in Alice Springs. The most exciting thing was meeting Gwenda, who worked at the local supermarket called the Piggly Wiggly,” Ivan said.
Ivan and Gwenda moved back to South Australia and married in Booborowie, Gwenda’s hometown. There they ran the local hardware store, gift shop, and post office together.
“We were married for 47 wonderful years,” Ivan said.
Before returning to South Australia together, Ivan spent time in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, where he worked as a supervisor at a spare parts business.
A fun fact from his time in Western Australia is that Ivan joined a barbershop quartet. Called The Head Frames the group named themselves after the four-legged tripod structures that stand over mine shafts. They even appeared on the ABC once, although Ivan has never been able to locate the clip of their performance!
Ivan and Gwenda moved into Helping Hand’s Belalie Lodge together in 2020. Sadly, Gwenda passed away in 2021.
Ivan now lives in her room, surrounded by the teddy bears she lovingly made, one of her favourite pastimes, and keeps them close to his heart. He hasn’t lost his love for singing and will happily serenade fellow residents, especially on special occasions like their birthdays.
03/02/2026
📣 NEW PODCAST EPISODE ALERT – Understanding the new Aged Care Act
The biggest aged care reforms in more than 30 years are now in effect – but what do they actually mean for older Australians? In our latest episode of Age Old Problems: New Aged Care, we speak with Luci Badge, Company Secretary at Helping Hand, to break down the major changes introduced on 1 November 2025.
These reforms include:
• The new Aged Care Act, which introduces a rights based framework
• A clear Statement of Rights for older people accessing care
• Strengthened Standards that define what high quality care must look like
• New obligations for providers and workers
• Stronger whistleblower protections
• A new registered supporter system with three supporter types
For residents and clients, this means greater choice, clearer protections, more transparency, and a system that places dignity and independence at its centre. For providers, it means higher expectations, stronger accountability, and a renewed focus on quality and safety. Helping Hand welcomes these reforms, which align closely with our long-standing commitment to person-centred care.
Thanks to our host Kate from KTB Communications, and recorder/editor Drew Radford from PodTalk.
Age Old Problems: New Aged Care · Episode
02/02/2026
Tuesday Tips to live your best 60+ life!
Tip of the week: Make Friends With the Library
Your library is more than books! Discover what’s on offer. Many libraries offer free e-books, movies, talks, and even technology classes. It’s a treasure trove that costs nothing and keeps your mind engaged.
29/01/2026
Port Pirie café opportunity!
Helping Hand is seeking Expressions of Interest from experienced local operators to run a new purpose-built café at Lealholme Residential Care Home (15 Halliday Street).
Opening is expected in early 2026, serving residents, staff, families, visitors, plus the local community via an outdoor takeaway window.
Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Helping Hand posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Helping Hand is one of South Australia’s most trusted aged care organisations.
From humble beginnings over six decades ago, Helping Hand has grown through dedication and design, and due to some generous donations. There are now three Helping Hand aged care homes in regional South Australia and five care homes in metropolitan Adelaide. A new home at Golden Grove will open in 2019.
The not for profit organisation has expanded its services to include home care, retirement living and respite and employs more than 1400 people across the state. Every year, more than 7000 people access services through Helping Hand.
Notably, the organisation’s leadership has been involved in several significant service delivery and policy achievements such as building and piloting the first “ageing-in-place” care facility in Australia and being part of the national Advisory Group reviewing and rewriting Aged Care Standards.
Recently, a Helping Hand resident was motivated to write a Letter to the Editor. Win says: ‘I am 95 years old and live in the Helping Hand Carinya home in Clare and can’t speak too highly of the care we receive here. There are many homes in South Australia that are well run and deserve a word of praise. Our staff have constant training sessions and from management down are always cheerful, professional and compassionate. The staff teamwork here is exceptional and we appreciate your love and care. You deserve a gold medal.’
