In 2017, then-Federal Aged Care Minister Ken Wyatt estimated up to 40% of residents in aged care don’t have visitors – so this story warms our heart.
Wynn Shepherd recently celebrated her 100th birthday with her “beautiful family” at Warrigal’s Shell Cove facility, south of Wollongong. The entire 75 members of her family were there to celebrate the day.
Wynn has been living in Warrigal Shell Cove since 2018. Her son Allan, not only volunteers at Warrigal Shell Cove, but at two other aged care facilities.
“When Wynn moved to Shell Cove I began volunteering at her home. I come on a fortnightly basis as a volunteer and play guitar and sing along with the residents in the dementia support unit, which everyone loves,” said Allan.
He stresses the importance of keeping in touch with a loved family member and to learn to understand how their life changes.
“Their love for you is always with them in their own way. Families just need to adjust and be there for them in any way they need to,” he added.
Wynn is lucky in that she has five children, 14 grandchildren, and a number of great great grandchildren.
“They still come and visit often and Wynn has a lot of family in the Illawarra area who visit regularly, or keep in contact with each other, to update on everything regarding Wynn,” said Allan.
I know people have busy lives but if you have a parent or relative in care, please go and visit them. They may not seem to enjoy it like they did once, but it will be so important to them.
“When I talk to people in aged care, I find so many who crave simple touch, a hug, the warmth of palms clasped together, or a soothing hand on their shoulder,” Minister Wyatt said back in 2017.
“Our love should not be conditional on a point in age, or because we drift away from those who once gave of themselves to care for us.”
