Astrid’s story: Eight years of bringing light to people’s lives

When Astrid talks about her time at Leora, one thing shines through: the relationships she has built with her clients.

“I have many memories, but the ones that really stay in my mind are those related to my clients,” she says. “I have a client who is around 93 years old with advanced dementia. Every time I visit her, she always holds my hands and tells me that she loves me. She knows who I am, and moments like that stay with you.”

Astrid has been with Leora for eight years, and in that time, she has learned that care is so much more than providing services, it’s about establishing trust and making sure that people feel included and valued.

“When the client becomes a trust relationship, they want you involved,” Astrid explains. “They might ask what dress they should wear if they’re going somewhere. If it happens that you’re there, they just want you included in those moments.”

It is that closeness, that sense of being part of someone’s life, that makes the work meaningful.

Astrid’s path to aged care was not straightforward. “I got married at 17 years old and I had a gemstone business. I did that for a long time, but then I just didn’t enjoy it as much,” she recalls.

Inspired by her daughter, who is a social worker, Astrid retrained in her 50s to work in the care industry. “I was really inspired by my daughter,” she says simply. That leap of faith opened the door to a career that has given her purpose and joy.

Astrid has a love for music and dance. “I love to dance, and because I cannot dance every day, I do Zumba classes. And when I’m cleaning, I clean to the sound of Latin music,” she laughs.

That sense of rhythm and joy carries over into her professional life too. “As a care manager, I do all the functions,” she explains. “I look into their funding and organise their services.”

For Astrid, the role is not just about administration. It’s about knowing that she is making a difference, especially for those who may not have families to support them. “For the clients who do have families, it helps them. But for the ones who haven’t got families anymore—feeling that we can improve their lives, that is something very rewarding.”

Astrid describes Leora as being “very easy to reach” and always responsive to client needs. It is this accessibility, paired with deep care, that allows her and her colleagues to build relationships of trust and respect.

“We visit clients regularly, we respond to their needs, to their questions,” she says. Over time, those visits become more than routine appointments; they become connections.

After eight years with Leora, Astrid’s reflections are rooted in gratitude for her clients, for the trust placed in her, and for the chance to make a difference.

Every visit, every conversation and every small request is an opportunity to show care. And in return, Astrid receives the priceless gift of being welcomed into her clients’ lives.

“It’s very rewarding,” she says. “Feeling that we can improve their lives.”

The same values that guide Astrid’s work are at the heart of how our team at Leora delivers support across aged care and NDIS services.

Whether you’re seeking support for yourself or someone you care for, we’re here to help. Learn more about our Home and Community Care services and explore our aged care support options.