A few months into her role at Advocare as our new Regional Team Leader, Nat is already making an impact even if she thinks she’s still finding her feet.
Nat Fay has always been drawn to roles that create positive outcomes. So, when the opportunity came up at Advocare, it felt like the perfect fit. “The chance to work in the advocacy space for older people living in different towns I’ve been lucky enough to call home over the years was a dream role for me,” she says.
Out in the community, she often hears two very different, but equally important, messages from older people like, “I don’t need help, but my family insisted,” and there’s, “I need help, but I don’t know how to get it.”
Despite coming from opposite directions, both conversations tend to lead to the same place: “The system is really complicated and I don’t know where to start.” It’s a reminder of just how vital advocacy is, especially in regional areas where challenges can be amplified.
Different service landscapes
Nat shares that one of the biggest challenges older people face in the regions is distance and all its flow-on effects. “The further the distance the more amplified the challenges.” Nat explains from her base in the South West region.
From fewer local service providers to workforce shortages, more limited transport options to rising costs, accessing support can be much harder outside metropolitan areas.
Then there’s something even deeper going on, Nat adds. “The older people in regional areas who we support have often been part of the way things used to be. They may have looked after their parents, volunteered or worked in a system that was more community-focused and run without all the rules and compliance requirements that govern the new aged care funding model.
This makes it really hard for them to accept the formality of what is now being asked of them. All of this makes advocacy for our older people more important than it has ever been.”
But it’s not all challenges. The thing our new Team Leader loves most about regional life is the strong sense of community. After more than 30 years in regional and remote WA, she’s seen firsthand the power of people looking out for one another.
“We check in, and we genuinely ask, ‘are you ok’ and make the time (even on days when time is running short) to really hear the response, both with our ears and with our hearts. A call to action when needed doesn’t come with any strings attached as I know the same will happen when I’m the one in need.” It’s this shared sense of care and responsibility that keeps inspiring her work.
When asked why respecting the rights of older people matters, Nat believes recognition of the contribution older people make in the community, valuing their experience and the skills developed over years is essential. Their stories and lessons help guide future generations and deserve to be honoured.
“None of us would be here without others going before us. Getting ‘old’ is not a privilege bestowed upon everyone, so we need to celebrate those who do.”
