It’s not every day an aged care provider gets to celebrate a residency of almost three decades, but this month marks a very special occasion for Peninsula Villages as they celebrate having two residents reside at the Village for a combined 60 years.
The not-for-profit aged care provider on the Central Coast opened in 1975 and just 14 years later,
Lucy Roy first moved into her independent living unit and celebrates 33 years with Peninsula Villages. Lucy in fact resides in the exact same unit she moved into in 1989 as she does today – with of course some minor refurbishment updates.
For Norm and his wife Pat they moved into an independent living unit in Peninsula Villages’ Cooinda Village in 1995, 20 years after its opening. For Norm and Pat, this decision was driven by their love for the Central Coast, particularly the Peninsula area, as well as the extra support on offer for Norm’s health issues.
“Pat and I moved from East Hills in Sydney’s south-west to Ettalong and fell in love with the region and its lifestyle,” Norm explains.
“When my health began to affect me, we started researching local retirement and aged care providers and Peninsula Villages ticked all our boxes in terms of their focus on community as well as facilities, ageing-in-place care model and social aspects on offer,” he continues.
Sadly, Pat passed away in 2019 and while Norm misses her every day, he is grateful for the compassion and support shown by staff and the friendships he has forged with fellow residents at the Village.
“It’s been three years since Pat lost her battle with cancer and not a day goes by where I don’t think about her and wish she was here, but it’s nice to know that I’m not alone and am surrounded by my Peninsula Villages family,” Norm reflected.
Over the past two years, the importance of remaining connected, entertained and cared for was of heightened concern for many Australians, particularly the elderly. For Norm, residing at Peninsula Villages combatted the social isolation he may otherwise have faced.
“2019 was tough, then the next two years presented all new challenges, but through it all, I was able seek comfort and support through my friends and the team at the Village, while taking part in the activities I enjoy, like lawn bowls,” Norm said.
Norm moved from Cooinda Village to an Independent Living Unit in Peninsula Village in 2017 and has served the second-longest tenure as a resident after Lucy Roy, who also happens to be one of Norm’s neighbours.
CEO Colin Osborne anticipates this will be more commonplace in the future as older-aged locals are moving into independent living units for their retirement.
“We have noticed an emerging trend whereby people from the Central Coast and northern parts of Sydney in particular are moving into our independent living units in their early retirement for the continuity of care on offer,” Colin explains.
“This allows them to enjoy their retirement within our secure premises, be a part of the Peninsula Villages community, and then, if required, make an easy move into one of our higher-care residences within the same, familiar community down the track,” he concluded.
To celebrate Norm and Lucy’s milestone tenures, staff and residents at Peninsula Villages will be gathering at the residents’ meeting on July 28 and serving their favourite sweet treats.