Social Procurement: How Working with Sistability Creates Real Community Impact
There's a shift happening in the way organisations think about spending.
It used to be enough to deliver a good service at a fair price. Increasingly, the organisations we work with, whether councils, not-for-profits, businesses or healthcare providers, are asking a different question. Not just "does this supplier do good work?" but "does working with this supplier do good in the world?" That shift has a name. It's called social procurement.
June & Norman - From Overwhelmed to Supported: A Journey through the Aged Care System
When June and Norman Lane first came to Sistability, they were like many seniors facing the gradual reality that daily life was becoming harder to manage on their own. Both in their 80s, this warm and independent couple had spent decades keeping their home in order, but with mounting health concerns and the quiet accumulation of everyday challenges, tasks like cleaning and gardening were starting to slip beyond their reach.
What made their situation particularly stressful was not just the physical difficulty, it was the overwhelming complexity of the Australian aged care system itself. June and Norman had no idea where to begin. The terminology was unfamiliar, the application process daunting, and the prospect of navigating government assessments felt far beyond what they could take on alone.
How a Clean Home Reduces Falls and Hospital Readmissions
Every year, falls send millions of older Australians to emergency rooms. Many of those falls happen not on footpaths or slippery staircases outside, they happen at home, in the very place that should feel safest. And for patients who have recently left hospital, a fall at home doesn't just mean pain. It often means going straight back through those same hospital doors.
The connection between a clean, well-organised home and better health outcomes is stronger than most people realise. Here's what the evidence shows, and what families and carers can do about it.
What Is Social Support and How Can It Help You or a Loved One Stay Connected?
When most people think about in-home support, they think about cleaning, gardening or help with personal care. These are all important. But there's another type of support that often gets overlooked and for many older Australians, it can make just as much difference to their quality of life.
It's called social support. And if you or someone you love is spending more time at home alone, it might be exactly what's needed.
Balancing Care and Life: Tips for Family Caregivers
Caring for a loved one is one of the most meaningful things you can do.
But it can also be one of the most overwhelming.
For many family caregivers, the role doesn’t come with a manual. It often starts gradually - helping with a few tasks here and there, and before long, it becomes a significant part of daily life.
Balancing care with work, family, and your own wellbeing can feel like a constant juggle. And while it’s driven by love, it’s important to recognise that you can’t pour from an empty cup.
Here are some practical and supportive tips to help you care for your loved one, without losing yourself in the process.
How to Get Started with My Aged Care (Without the Overwhelm)
If you’re starting to think about aged care support for yourself or a loved one, you’re not alone.
For many families, the process begins with a simple question:
“Where do we even start?”
Between government websites, assessments, waitlists, and unfamiliar terms, My Aged Care can feel overwhelming at first. But the good news is, once you understand the steps, it becomes much more manageable.
Here’s a simple, clear guide to help you get started with confidence.
When Does a Home Need a Deep Clean? 6 Signs to Look For.
For many NDIS participants and older Australians, keeping a home clean isn’t just about appearance. It’s about safety, comfort, and being able to live independently.
Regular cleaning plays an important role. But sometimes, before ongoing support can truly make a difference, the home needs a proper reset.
At Sistability, we often find that a deep clean is the best starting point, especially when a home hasn’t had consistent support or when circumstances have changed.
Hidden Warning Signs Our Cleaners Are Trained to Spot in Aged Care and NDIS Homes
When most people think about cleaning, they picture tidy surfaces, fresh-smelling rooms, and a job well done.
But in aged care and NDIS homes, a good clean is about so much more than presentation.
At Sistability, our domestic care specialists are trained to look beyond the obvious. For many of our clients, we’re one of the only regular visitors in the home. That puts us in a unique position - not just to clean, but to notice subtle changes that could indicate something isn’t quite right.
These are the hidden warning signs our team is trained to look out for.
Why CHSP Is a Starting Point, Not a Long-Term Solution
For many older Australians, the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (better known as CHSP) is their first experience with funded home care. It's a welcome lifeline. Help with the housework, a hand in the garden, maybe some transport to a medical appointment. For a while, it feels like enough.
But here's the reality that families and carers run into almost immediately: even when you're approved for CHSP, finding a provider who can actually take you on is a different challenge entirely.
5 Signs an Older Person’s Garden May Be Becoming Unsafe
A garden that becomes difficult to maintain can quickly create safety risks for older Australians. From overgrown lawns to slippery pathways, here are five signs a garden may need extra support.
Can Gardening Be Funded Through Support at Home?
Many older Australians don’t realise that gardening and basic yard maintenance may be funded through the Support at Home program. Regular lawn mowing, pruning and garden tidy-ups can help keep homes safe and manageable for seniors who want to remain living independently.
Gardening Support for Seniors: Helping People Stay Safe and Independent at Home
For many older Australians, the garden is a cherished part of the home. But tasks like mowing lawns, trimming hedges and pulling weeds can become difficult over time. Gardening support services help seniors maintain safe, tidy outdoor spaces while continuing to live independently at home.