Respite care: Norma loved it so much she stayed
At 99 years of age, Norma Clark has lived a wonderful life filled with love, happiness and family.
Born and raised in Ballarat, 110km northwest of Melbourne’s CBD, she is a proud mother of two daughters who she raised alongside her beloved husband, Norman.
After Norman’s passing, Norma lived with her daughter Yvonne and Yvonne’s partner in Buninyong, a town 11km from Ballarat, always surrounded by the care and support of her family.
After eight years since Yvonne and her partner’s last holiday, Norma encouraged her daughter to take a well-deserved break. However, Yvonne was hesitant. She couldn’t imagine leaving her mother at home alone.
Norma suggested finding a respite care option where her loved ones knew she would be safe and cared for. They decided on Estia Health Bannockburn, 72km from Ballarat.
Residential respite care gives an older person or their carer a break from their usual care arrangements. The Government pays providers a respite subsidy and supplement for providing respite care to eligible clients.
Norma was booked in for a two-week respite stay.
From the moment she arrived, Norma felt at home. “It’s an excellent home with a wonderful team,” she said with a smile. “Everyone is very friendly, and I enjoy being around such uplifting people.”
During Norma’s short stay, she quickly settled into a routine she genuinely enjoyed. Her days were filled with engaging activities that suited her active mind from board games to craft sessions. She looked forward to the weekly piano sessions where residents gathered to sing hymns and loved visiting the in-house hairdresser.
Beyond the activities and amenities, it was the sense of community that really stood out to Norma.
“I have met so many new people I now call friends. I have good conversations and don’t ever feel alone.”
After losing many of her lifelong friends over the years, finding a new community brought her comfort and happiness. It also gave her great joy that her daughter could have peace of mind during her break, knowing that her mum was in caring hands.
When Yvonne and her partner returned from their much-needed break, they were pleasantly surprised to find Norma thriving. In fact, Norma had decided she didn’t want to return home and told her daughter she would like to become a permanent resident in Estia Health.
When her daughter offered the chance to come home with her for a couple of weeks to gather her belongings, Norma graciously declined, “No thank you, I’d like to stay.”
Norma cherishes her loved ones no longer have to worry about her wellbeing.
“I find comfort in the fact the girls know I am being well looked after and they don’t have to worry about me, they can go out and live their lives knowing I’m happy and safe.”
Norma’s story is a testament to the benefits of respite care, not only for those receiving the care but also for their loved ones. Respite care provides a much-needed break for caregivers while offering a supportive environment where residents can thrive and find new joy.
