Family of four move into same aged care facility
Four members of the same family have moved into a Umina residential aged care facility.
Brothers Don and Keith Trueman along with their respective wives, Sylvia and Elaine, are now residents of Pozieres House at Peninsula Villages.
This is the first time four family members have lived under one roof at Peninsula Villages.
Pozieres House wellbeing manager Ms Judy Moroney, it was Elaine has inspired the nickname The Trueman Show, as she never fails to entertain.
"Elaine is always sharing titbits, so while we don't always know what she's going to say, we can almost always guarantee that it will be entertaining."
The four members of the family each live within a different household of Pozieres House to reflect their varying care requirements.
"This household structure allows residents to live as part of a close-knit household with up to 14 residents," said chief executive Mr Colin Osborne.
"Each household specialises in an area of care, including aged, dementia and palliative."
Mr Osborne said the approach reflected current patterns within the industry, as residents typically move into aged care facilities later in life so their care needs change more quickly.
"The average age of residents who enter residential aged care homes is now around 85, which has significantly increased over the past 20 years as a result of people wanting to stay in their own homes for longer," he said.
Despite the Truemans living in their own rooms within separate households, they still spend plenty of time together during mealtimes and activities, with their households just a few hallways from one another.
Elaine Trueman said the model worked well for her and husband Keith as they can each participate in activities with purposes that support their individuality and choice.
"Keith and I have been married for over 70 years, meeting when we were just 16," she said.
"While we have always loved spending time together, we also enjoy our independence."
SOURCE:
Media release, 22 Nov 2022
Colin Osborne, Peninsula Villages