Shirley’s right at home at Kintyre Lodge
Debbie King lives 1000 kilometres away from her Kintyre Lodge-based mum, Shirley Braithwaite.
While Debbie still visits six times a year she has peace of mind knowing that when she’s away, Shirley is well looked after, cared for in the Lodge by loving, dedicated staff, and, after six years of living in the adjacent Village, still able to connect with her wider community of neighbours – who also still keep an eye on Shirley. “This is a real ‘look after each other’ type of environment,” Debbie explained.
“I ring every day, so I sort of know what’s going on, it’s just been wonderful. Every now and then a neighbour would ring me and say, ‘Oh, your mum’s a bit, well, not sure’; it’s a real, little community. “Once I knew she was here feeling secure – and while I’m not here and of a night-time, or really any time – if it wasn’t one of the staff it was one of the neighbours who were beautiful to her.”
Shirley first moved into the independent living villas at Kintyre Village six years ago. “When we first drove in, we just loved the layout of the place and then we had a look at the units, and we loved
everything about it. Then Shirley moved in and within a couple of months she was so settled,” Debbie said.
“It is a place you feel comfortable,” Shirley said. “Well, I did. As soon as I came in, I thought,
this is it.
“I am happy. Absolutely. The people who work here treat me very, very nicely and I think everyone feels special in the Lodge. When I speak to my friends, they always say they get treated really well too,” Shirley said.
Debbie says her family has made friends at Kintyre as well.
“We’re here so much. We used to stay with Shirl in her unit and we’ve made quite a few friends. It’s almost like coming home. Even the staff, everyone knows us.”
Both mother and daughter felt Shirley’s transition into residential aged care at Kintyre Lodge was a smooth one.
“It was an easy transition to move into the Lodge because she still knew everybody. She could take her walker and walk around the Village, stop and have chats, come over for coffee mornings,” Debbie said. For Shirley that’s meant change has been kept to a minimum and she’s free to concentrate on the things she loves about Kintyre.
“I think the companionship, the care that I get and the smiles. There’s nothing like a smile from everyone. I feel they make me feel special, and not only me, I’m sure they make everyone feel special. “This is one of the best places I’ve ever lived, and I’ve lived in quite a few places,” Shirley said.