The Lithgow 90-year-old said she was incredibly thankful for her carers for affording her the comfort, which “means everything” to her.

Beryl spoke of how Fiona, from aged care providers HammondCare, helped her dig her way out of depression.

Fiona prompted Beryl to begin knitting bags for orphaned animals saved by the WIRES Australian Wildlife Rescue Organisation.

"It saved me from being so depressed because I have so much time on my hands,” Beryl said.

"My family naturally go away for holidays so I rely on HammondCare. So sometimes I'd go from the Friday to the Wednesday without seeing anyone and that's when I'd get upset.”

Beryl has since made dozens of bags and even had the chance to meet one of the furry friends when Fiona brought a young kangaroo to her home for a visit.

She has been with HammondCare for the past three-and-a-half years and particularly enjoys going out every Saturday for a social visit.

"Otherwise I wouldn't get out of the house," Beryl said.

"I wouldn't be alive if it wasn't for HammondCare.

"HammondCare is the best thing that has ever happened to me, like my extended family. If I didn't have them, I'd be in a nursing home."

One of Beryl’s care workers, Gail, has been employed by HammondCare for two years.

"I love it... it's very rewarding," Gail said.

Beryl said she looked forward to seeing Gail each Friday.

"Gail comes in here in the morning... always has a smile on her face, like a ray of sunshine coming into my home and all the girls are the same," she said.

Each client receives a tailored care plan to suit their individual requirements however Gail also emphasised the need for carers to build a close bond with their clients.

"It's very important, we have a great client-carer relationship. I'd like to think we do that with all our clients. We have a very strong team and we work very well," Gail said.

The elderly often have difficulty accepting they need help.

"A lot of people find it very hard,” she said.

"You're talking about people who have been very independent and have worked hard their whole life. To acknowledge that you need help, it's a very hard thing to accept.

“They're very proud, you're letting someone into your home... once you break down those barriers, they realise their life is so enhanced having people like us coming in.”

Gail agreed it was important to help people stay at home in their later years.

"I think people probably live longer in their own home. They're not stereotyped and they get the tailored care that suits them as an individual."

She said clients did not have to be unwell to receive help but may just need a small amount of assistance with everyday chores such as shopping and washing.

"There's nothing too simple or too small."

Speak to your doctor to find out more about receiving care in your own home.