An interview on healthy ageing with Jenni
From our Humans of Salveo Healthcare series
At Salveo Healthcare, we’re proud to share the stories of people who inspire us with their resilience, wisdom, and outlook on life. Today, we’re delighted to introduce Jenni, whose practical approach, determination, and positivity offer powerful lessons in healthy ageing and living well.
Early Life and Values
Jenni grew up in a time when material things were scarce, but love and connection were abundant. Raised alongside two brothers, she describes a childhood filled with cousins, outdoor play, and strong family ties. “We didn’t have anything materialistic, but we had love and we had food,” she says. That upbringing shaped a lifelong belief in being content with what you have, a value she still holds close today.
Work, Change, and Life Experience
After finishing school in Launceston, Jenni began working as a laboratory assistant before marrying, living interstate and overseas, and raising a family. Throughout her life, she worked across many industries from agriculture and construction to the hydro, emergency services, and as a Lifelink counsellor, often changing roles every few years. For Jenni, these experiences mattered more than staying in one job. “It gave you such an insight into different industries and what was important to people,” she reflects.
Facing Challenges with Determination
Jenni’s life has not been without significant challenges. She spent more than ten years caring for her husband through heart failure, stroke, and cancer. She also faced her own serious health issues, including macular degeneration that temporarily took her sight. Rather than giving up, Jenni focused on what mattered most. “I thought, I want to see my grandkids,” she says. Grit, patience, and determination carried her through.
Health, Wellbeing, and Staying Active
Jenni’s approach to health is practical and balanced. She believes in eating well without denial, staying active (mentally, socially and physically) in any way she can, and asking questions about her care. “I question everything,” she explains. From physiotherapy to adapting tools at home to make daily life easier, Jenni looks for solutions rather than limitations. “If you can’t do something, there’s a way around it. You’ve just got to find that way.”
Connection and Community
Social connection plays an important role in Jenni’s life, though she’s equally comfortable with her own company. She maintains lifelong friendships, stays in touch with family and friends overseas, and enjoys helping others. “People are only too willing to help,” she says. “You’ve just got to ask.”
Advice for Healthy Ageing
Jenni’s advice is simple and heartfelt: enjoy life, question everything, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Above all, she values positivity. “It’s not what I can’t do. It’s what I can do,” she says.
Advanced Preventative Care Program Experience
Jenni believes the Advanced Preventative Care Program is a valuable initiative that shows genuine care and concern for older people and their health. She says regular nurse visits support overall wellbeing and can reduce the need for doctor appointments for routine checks such as blood pressure and blood sugar monitoring. Jenni particularly values the information she receives about her care, noting that her nurse “has explained exactly what certain drugs are and how they interact with each other,” helping her feel informed, reassured, and well supported.
A Life Well-Lived
For Jenni, a life well-lived is about being happy, staying curious, and finding joy in everyday moments. Material things don’t matter nearly as much as friendships, independence, and laughter. Her story is a powerful reminder that ageing well isn’t about avoiding challenges, it’s about meeting them head-on, with humour, resilience, and a solutions-focused mindset.
This information is general in nature and individualised medical advice should be sought from a general practitioner (GP) or appropriate medical practitioner.
