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Recently we sat down and spoke with Lyndoch Living Village Hub residents Barb and Doug. They wanted to let the community know what it’s really like living at Lyndoch and express their gratitude to the CEO and Lyndoch team. Here is what they had to say.
“I don’t feel 88; I reckon I’ve come back 15 years since I came to Lyndoch. I’m eating well, sleeping well, and exercising well. I’ve also been able to reduce my medication intake.
“I went to the physio today who said, ‘I’ve got younger patients who couldn’t do what I just asked you to do.’ I put that down to Lyndoch – I really do,” Doug said.
Barb said we were only a few weeks off moving into the Village when Doug was hit by a car.
“I was desperate, frightened and didn’t know what we were going to do. Then Jan Sullivan and Carol Weise, who were angels, got us special assistance through the Government to help with showering and a bit of cleaning.”
“That kept us going until our home care package came in. We’ve never looked back since coming here – it’s the best thing we’ve ever done.”
The couple said they didn’t know where they would have ended up, as there was nothing like this from where they originally lived in Portland.
Barb said the Lyndoch Allied Health services at The Stables were great in helping Doug recover from the accident.
“I think what we’ve got from this place is amazing, and our family are happy because we’re happy.”
The couple said they chose Lyndoch straight off the cuff.
“We’ll never leave as it’s a one-stop-shop – you’ve got it all covered.”
“Living independently in a supported environment is what we have. We’re still independent and manage all our own bills and things, but since receiving a home care package, we’ve had so much help,” they said.
Barb and Doug didn’t know they’d need all these services when they initially bought the unit, but suddenly, they did, and it expanded.
“We access all the services in conjunction with the Support Advisors to help us remain independent. We always feel safe that it’s here for us if we want something, and it’s not intrusive. They consult with us on any changes,” the couple said.
Barb said she loves all the staff and the consistency; they are so good.
“People need to apply and use the home care package to its full capacity. Plus, we can link into other services outside of the Village through our package,” said Doug.
Barb added that it’s very rare to have all these things in one place. “We get living at home, meals, rehabilitation, hairdressing, podiatry, and with Julie managing the Village, it all works in with supporting us very well. It’s good to go to The Stables, and I enjoy the company. It’s good fun.”
“We have a beautiful view, have lovely people living around us. It’s great you’re close to everything, and we get up to The Squires for special events.”
“The Lyndoch team developed a raised garden bed just out the back for us, which is good therapy for Doug. We grow silverbeet, lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes, spring onions and radishes, and share our produce with the neighbours,” the couple said.
“Colleen, our neighbour, is marvellous and does random acts of kindness for us. It’s like old fashion neighbours; there are no bells and whistles, it’s just lovely. We’re not living on top of each other, and we’re happy; we don’t want negativity.”
“I feel the staff are the unsung heroes of Lyndoch, the faceless people that people don’t know – we know them as friends. So we just want to thank Lyndoch and the caring people.”
“I went over to get my hair done the other day, and all the staff were laughing and happy – I thought to myself, it’s such a happy place,” said Barb.
