Watering the courtyard gardens, enjoying freshly prepared meals, and making new friends, Coolamon Villa resident Jude has found happiness, peace and connection in her new home.
But Jude is the first to admit when she first moved in she was nervous and a little anxious. A hospital visit had triggered Jude’s decision to come to Coolamon Villa in Mullumbimby and she wasn’t sure what to expect.
“I did feel nervous when I first moved in,” says Jude, a retired midwife and long-term resident of Byron Bay. “But now I have made new friends and I love not having to cook anymore! The food here is wonderful, I’ve even managed to put on a few much-needed kilos.”
Catholic Healthcare’s Communications team sat down with Jude and Donna, who shared their family journey moving into Coolamon Villa. Initially coming to the Home for respite, Jude has now settled into her new Home. Her whole outlook has shifted and she is positive and happy – click on the video link below to watch their story.
Jude’s eldest daughter, Donna, lives nearby and visits nearly every day. Donna is really pleased to see her Mum looking and feeling so much better.
“Mum and I had been talking about her moving into care for the past 18 months,” says Donna. “It was hard at first as Mum moved into Coolamon in May 2020, at the height of Covid.
I settled her into the Home and then had to leave. We kept in contact with daily Skype calls, so I could see she was feeling more at home as every day went by.”
Now, with visitor restrictions eased Donna loves coming to visit her Mum.
Coolamon’s Residential Manager, Paul Fitzgerald, recognises moving into an aged care home is a big change for many. His team is committed to supporting this journey, providing holistic ageing-in-place care.
“When new residents move in, I sit down with them and their families to get to know them,” says Paul. “We chat about their interests, their background, their childhood, their family and career. We find out how we can best support residents and bring them on a positive journey embracing their new life.
“We focus on the person as a whole, striving to provide care supporting a person’s physical, spiritual and psychological wellbeing.
“It’s great to see Jude so engaged – making friends, getting out into the garden, enjoying the activities on offer.”