End of an era for Ruawai rest home

A Feilding rest home will this week close its doors after more than 30 years of caring for the elderly.

Ruawai Rest Home’s owner and manager Andrea Thompson is saddened by the decision to shut. She says the decision is financial and she can’t keep the home going any longer.

‘‘There just haven’t been enough residents coming in and the occupancy has been falling for the last couple of years,’’ Thompson said.

Pat Nugent worked at Ruawai Rest Home for 25 years and was most recently a volunteer.

She said Ruawai had ‘‘a family feel’’ from the beginning.

‘‘It’s just like walking into a family home. And that’s what has been special, being able to give that personal care and treat everyone like an individual.

‘‘They don’t get that in the big rest homes, but that is sadly what’s left now.’’

The 12 residents have all found places to go, with nine remaining in Feilding.

Ruawai resident Vivienne Jones will be going to a rest home in Hokitika and she said she will miss her Feilding home.

‘‘It is just so sad. We have been like a family, everyone is so close, but this will be my last big adventure. It is what it is.’’

Ruawai opened in the early 1980s after the Hilliam family converted a residential house to accommodate 20 beds.

Nugent said the family originally lived on site.

‘‘They had four boys and the older two used to work here before and after school. There was a real need for a home at the time.

‘‘We have all just regarded this as a home. It hasn’t felt like work.

‘‘I just want to thank everybody that has contributed to this place over the years, the volunteers, the residents and their families. They have become family too.’’

Ruawai will go on the market and Thompson said she had no plans for the immediate future.