Compassion Beyond the Expected in Melbourne's NDIS and Aged Care
When people ask me how we are different as an NDIS and Aged Care provider in Melbourne, I always I find it difficult to answer. This is because what we do should be the standard everywhere; it is what comes naturally to us. There are no add-ons, it’s simply just what we do. I was reminded of this just last weekend.
Some of you may remember we lost a client around fifteen months ago, our much-loved friend Karina. She was the person who gave me the courage to start my Melbourne aged care and NDIS business and the one who made me believe it was going to be a success. The business has grown from strength to strength since her passing, and I have no doubt she is directing traffic our way. Last weekend, her family asked me to join them in scattering Karina’s ashes.
Although a part of me didn't want to go because it felt like an ending, I was honoured to be asked. I told Karina I would do this for her. I joined her family on the end of a pier as they played the song Karina had chosen, and we each took turns to scatter some of her ashes and rose petals into the water. As I took my turn and let the ashes fall into the water, I said, “F#$% off now”, just as Karina had requested, I said, and a tear ran down my face.
On the drive home, it occurred to me that one thing we do differently is care for the whole family, for as long as they need or want us. We don’t make ourselves part of their everyday lives, but we do little things like wishing them a Merry Christmas (acknowledging it won’t be the same), wishing them a happy birthday, checking in on VCE results and career choices, wishing them well when we know they are doing something new. We let them know how proud their relative who has passed away would be. Most importantly, I think, we keep the memory of their loved one alive.
We are also good at reading the signs when we are not wanted, and then we respectfully walk away, knowing everyone grieves differently.
One of the things that make us different, and that I'm very proud of is that our compassion is not limited to the participant and has no definite end date. What a privilege it is to support people at all stages of life's journeys with our Melbourne NDIS services and aged care.
Keeping Loved Ones Memories Alive
Losing a loved one is never easy. Grief is such a difficult emotion that creeps up on you when you least expect it, and often when it is most inconvenient. The best definition of grief I have heard is that it is love with nowhere to go.
My mum used to say, "Don't lock me away in a cupboard, still talk about me when I'm gone, that's the way to deal with grief," and I think she was right.

Here are a few ideas to help keep their memory alive:
Create a space, memory box or scrapbook: Fill it with photos, letters, and other mementos that remind you of them.
Share stories and anecdotes: Talk about your loved one with friends and family and say things that they would say. Laughter is a powerful healer.
Cook their favourite meal: Food evokes strong memories and emotions. Sharing a meal they loved can be a comforting experience.
Visit their favourite places: Spend time in the places they cherished, reflecting on happy memories you shared.
Continue their traditions: If they had special hobbies or traditions, find ways to continue them.
Donate to a cause they cared about: Make a contribution in their name to support something they were passionate about.
Light a candle in their memory: A simple act that can bring comfort and a sense of peace.
Being able to carry out Karina's last wishes and laugh about it with her friends and family really helped us to remember the much-loved cheeky side of Karina.
Remembering and honouring our loved ones helps keep their spirit alive in our hearts.
Forever in our heart Karina.
Di Geddes
Follolw Di on LinkedIn
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