Freedom Aged Care Reviews 39

The whole process was made very easy by all the staff to make the shift for our parents to move from their family home of 60 years to their new home where they have already made new friends and enjoying all the facilities that freedom has to offer

On the 24th of June 2013 I came to Freedom filled with fear and trepidation, after spending 10 weeks in hospital with a Spontaneous Fracture in my spine.
Not knowing what to expect in this new phase of my life and experiencing a lot of pain and discomfort, my loving and caring family spent time helping me settle into my unit.

From day one the staff were excellent, very helpful and caringly gave me all the help and care I needed. At the time I did a lot of crying in the first week and wondering what was ahead of me. I ate my meals in my unit and did not often venture out. The staff encouraged me to go to morning tea, lunch and supper. Eventually a staff member said to me, “tomorrow come and join us for a meal”. Gradually I met people and went to the community room for meals as well as some activities. That seems a long time ago and I am now very involved in the lifestyle programs and anything that is going on in the village.
Thankfully almost three years on it is very different to my early days here, I am now independent and don’t require any help at all and I know the wonderful staff are only a call away day or night if I need them.
When I come to my unit at night and lock the door, It’s comforting to know that I am safe and help is close at hand.
I am very happy in the lifestyle I am leading and would encourage people needing support and help in their later years to consider Freedom.
I am here for the rest of my life and don’t have to worry if my needs change and my health requires extra attention because the care I need will be here.
Marie Fiechtner

I can't thank highly enough of what Freedom Aged Care have done for me, I have lived here for 3 years and for my 100th birthday I happened to mention that I wanted to go in a plane and I was shocked that Freedom organised all of this to happen for me. I wasn't going to turn down an offer like this, you're never too old to learn.
I can cross this off my list now, thank you so much.
Wally Scotney

A poem by Margaret Brunjes, a proud resident here at Freedom Aged Care.

We are happy village residents you can plainly see
We sit around the tables and sip our cups of tea
We talk of all the good times when we’re free
And how we went to school and learned our ABC

Years later taken their toll; the knees wobble
There’s silver threads among the grey
Wrinkles adorn our aged faces
Pills keep our ills at bay

Staff here are so kind and share a friendly smile
That’s what makes each day worthwhile
A game or two and outings on the bus to pass the time away
Let’s make each day happy and return a smile their way

in the past regular exercise was something to be avoided by me. Shortly after becoming a Freedom resident I began attending their exercise sessions. I had a knee and back injury and was in a heavy brace but i was able to manage all the movements without any discomfort. One surprise was nearly all the exercises were done seated. After about 6 weeks i became aware that both my injured knee and my back had improved. I decided to leave my brace off for 24 hours and NO problems at all. In fact they have not been braced at all since then - it is wonderful to be pain and brace free, they have healed. Many many thanks to the DT team, the routine has been healing rather than exhausting.

Two days before Christmas 2014 my Mother was advised that as she had broken her hip for the second time within 18 months, that it would be better if she moved into a care facility rather than returning to her home where she had lived by herself since my Dad passed away in 2000.

With this, my daughter and I visited, questioned, and reviewed close to ten different facilities within Toowoomba.

We visited Freedom Aged Care in Taylor Street and talked to Greer Quinlan the Sales Consultant, who from the very beginning was very open and honest in relation to telling us everything possible about the care that my Mum would be receiving.

I went home, did my homework, compared Freedom to the other places that we had information from and Freedom by far was the best facility in relation to care, cost, facilities, recreation and other benefits that they offered.

Mum was not keen to enter care and was quiet against "making friends" as she was a "very private person". Within a couple of weeks of settling in, her social calendar was greater than my own. On a weekly basis, she went swimming, played Put Put, had her nails and hair done, went on bus trips, talked and joked to everyone that passed her unit - she was very happy. Other residents popped in on a regular basis - for a very "private person" I couldn't get over the change in her outlook to living independently, but within 24hr 7 days a week care facility. All she had to do was press her alert button and someone was to her within minutes. This to me was the most important aspect of her care and is something that I couldn't fault. Nothing was ever a bother to the wonderful staff that cared for her.

Several times I had been back and spoke to Greer about Mum's care prior to her moving in and at all times Greer was professional and very welcoming - no detail was ever to small or question ever too silly to ask. We often commented after Mum had moved into Freedom that everything Greer told us was true - there was never any hidden costs or information we found to be incorrect.

The grounds are beautifully kept and well maintained, the staff are the most caring bunch of people I have ever come across and the facilities and activities provided are excellent.

I would have no hesitation what so ever in recommending Freedom to any person that was looking for this type of care.

We found Freedom Aged Care by chance. We thought it sounded too good to be true. It isn’t.

Our journey into the aged care system began three and a half years ago when my dad, Harry had a number of small strokes resulting in an ACAT assessment of High Care Dementia Specific. He went from swimming laps across Lake Currimundi each day, riding his bike and living independently in his own home to being ‘locked up’ in a dementia unit. He spent the first six months doing all he could to get out. He rand advocacy groups, aged care complaints, anyone who would listen and was very angry and frustrated.

Eventually he was relocated to a low care hostel unit on the sunshine coast. He spent the majority of his time there, day and night, lying on his bed watching TV and wanting to die. Whilst in that hostel he had a fall, broke his hip and was diagnosed with diabetes. He was given written warnings to improve his behavior! No wonder he kept telling us he only had days to live.

We wanted to move dad to Toowoomba to be closer to family so I could at least keep an eye on his care. He had been on numerous waiting lists in Toowoomba for the past two years. Now I’m just so relieved that there were no vacancies and we had the opportunity to move him to freedom aged care.

Dad has only been at Freedom Aged Care for three weeks and even after his first night he said he had the best sleep ever and the best shower and the nurse even dried between his toes! How sad that such a small thing to most of us made him so happy. He has already built up a close fondness for his carers – they understand him. He loves sleeping in his own bed, in his own unit and says he is in paradise. He now says he might have to live a bit longer to enjoy it all. Above all he is happy.

If you want your parent to be treated as an individual with dignity, respect and truly cared for as a part of a family, then Freedom Aged Care is the right place. Nothing is ever too much trouble. I’m so glad we got that chance for dad.

The service is great – Care excellent food is fabulous and delicious, I could upgrade to a larger serve. I appreciate that my diet is catered for. I would like to shop at welson shopping sometimes for a change as the bus now runs 5 days a week. I enjoy doing craft and gardening the chooks are happier with no hard feelings and nervie talks, I suggest that table scraps would be great for them – I notice the outdoor settings needs cleaning as there are grubs and spider muck under the cover would be great in wet weather – thanks for the food coupons and the love and friendship I find in freedom – never a dull moment. – Laura

Our whole family are relaxed knowing that our mother is in the safe and caring environment of Freedom Aged Care.

It has been just over 9 months since our mother moved into Freedom and it has clearly been the best decision we have made as a family.

At time of arrival to Freedom my mother-in-law was depressed and unable to do anything for herself. She could hardly talk and was not interested in anything. My father-in-law was quite exhausted as he was doing everything. The change in both of my in-laws is REMARKABLE and this is thanks to the wonderful staff at Freedom communities.
Other family members have commented “It’s nice to have our parents back” “They are like what they were 5 years ago.”

Since my mother in law has moved to Freedom she has been very happy and she loves being involved in the activities they offer and the environment is very safe and inviting. My husband is happy she is with people for company, and has no stress from ownership and maintenance of her own property. We all are a bit sorry she was so stubborn and didn't make the move sooner. She also agrees with us on this issue. But she is there now and everyone is content.

At time of arrival to freedom my mother-in-law was depressed and unable to do anything for herself. She could hardly talk and was not interested in anything. My father-in-law was quite exhausted as he was doing everything. The change in my in laws is remarkable and this is thanks to the wonderful staff at freedom. Comments from their sons have been, “it’s nice to have our parents back” and “they are like what they were 5 years ago.”
Thank you to everyone at freedom, you have made the Dwyer family very happy and the help that we received was unbelievable

Faced with finding care for our father after an extended stay in hospital, we found Freedom to be the only viable solution and certainly much better than any of the alternatives. It enabled my parents to stay together in their own unit at Freedom, and to receive the care they needed. The tailored care and the staff are simply brilliant. My father spent the last few months of his life at Freedom, during which time his well-being noticeably improved, which we are very grateful for. Although my mother said she never wanted to leave her own home, now she doesn't want to leave her own unit at Freedom! She has found new friendships and has started to enjoy activities and outings she hasn't been able to do for a long time.

For my Mum, living at Freedom gives our family the opportunity to visit her in her own little home and when we go to our own home we know that she is in a safe environment. She is well fed, has bus outings, exercises and entertainment. It's better than traditional nursing homes where things are rather depressing. If it were me having to be placed somewhere I would rather go to Freedom.

I'm just a regular bloke who loves his mum as does my sister along with the entire family. When the time came for mum to transition to the next stage of her life we spoke to Freedom. There was no high pressure sales pitch or bells & whistles. They were understanding, honest, open and informative and even suggested we check out other aged care facilities to make a comparison. We did this but in the end we came back to Freedom. It sold itself to us because it was clearly the best option for mum and the rest is history. My mum has all her independance but also has a great social network and new friends. The satff at Freedom dont merely see it as a job, they are committed and passionate about the care and support for the residents and create a fantastic and inclusive community atmosphere based upon respect and individual needs. All we want for mum is health, security, care and most of all, her happiness. Freedom has delivered on this and beyond. A new chapter has begun in mum's life, happy days are here, and more happy days still lay ahead. Kudos to Freedom Aged Care..

My elderly Mother seems very happy & content. All Staff are friendly, attentive, caring & professional, although there seems to be an ongoing turnover of staff since Mum has been at Freedom Grovedale.
All meals are delicious & nutritious.
I am always notified quickly of any issues regarding my Mum.
I am completely satisfied with the care, facilities & staff at Freedom Grovedale.

Able, cheerful, friendly and co-operative staff who are very well liked and respected by the residents. Very reliable in assisting with medication and special needs. Accommodation modern and up to date with excellent heating and spacious bathroom. Good activities program which includes outings and in-house sociial events. Meals are good and the village buildings and grounds are well maintained. Highly recommended.

My daughter in law and I recently visited one of Freedom's villages and I could not believe how impressive it was and the high level of care they are able to give. The units are compact, but so wonderful that they can furnish it with there own belongings and the things that are important to them. But offer everything they need and of course much more with the community room, gardens and activities. And of course they could give me a set weekly fee amount, which others of a similar model could not. I truly could not highly recommend Freedom Aged Care enough and while my father doesn't have a wife or any pets, what a wonderful and extremely rare experience to be able to offer people.

From the moment we made the phone call to finishing the tour we knew Freedom was right for mum and dad. Three months on we are very happy with our decision.