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Feel a new sense of home in retirement

Written by Kiely Buttell
on March 19, 2019

The decision to move into a retirement village can be challenging but can often help when people are struggling to maintain a sense of home.

This was the case for Jennett, who sold her family home and moved into a smaller apartment last year.

“I have a beautiful son who lives in Canada, and I lost my beautiful partner twelve years ago. My home was just too much for me to look after because I like everything so-so and the garden perfect. It was costing me a lot of money,” she says.

“I got very sick twelve months ago and I was given a second chance at living. My sister found this place in an ad and thought I might be interested. I got a pass out of the hospital and went for a drive that day to look at the apartment. The place was so lovely.”

The apartment is located in Wheeler’s Hill and is part of Ryman Healthcare’s Nellie Melba retirement village. Jennett viewed the place a few times to speak to a representative from Ryman Healthcare before deciding to buy one of the top floor apartments.

“I never looked back. I had a bigger house and I needed to condense my things down to fit a smaller property and I’ve done it.”

Jennett previously worked as a fashion designer and make-up artist. Though she lives within the retirement village, her life is not confined to that community. She still works part-time in sales and make-up artistry.

“I was a dressmaker, sewer and fashion designer for a leading fashion house for many years. Then I became a make-up artist for a make-up company,” she says. “I still work in make-up and I still sew a lot privately for myself.”

The village has given her an opportunity to enjoy her passions in group settings.

“I’ve joined the sewing group but I’ve also joined in on the games and activities from the lifestyle program,” she says. “I’m going to try and take up bowls.”

Though Jennett will regularly catch up with her long-time friends outside of the village, she speaks highly of the friends she’s made at Nellie Melba.

“The people here are absolutely fantastic. Everyone will acknowledge you and introduce themselves. They welcome you and I love that. I feel that everyone here has lived through hard times and easy times. Now they’re in their own space, relaxed and just winding down.”

Jennett says her life has simplified since moving into the apartment. She enjoys eating dinner on her balcony and finds taking care of her pot plants much easier than tending to a large garden.

“I ring my son every other day to say, ‘I just want to tell you that I live like a queen now,’” she laughs.

Ryman’s independent apartment gives Jennett the freedom to come and go as she pleases with the companionship of the village community. If her level of care were to change, the facilities are already there.

“I’m on my own now. I lost my partner 12 years ago and he was my life actually. We did everything together. I think it just came to a stage where my home wasn’t a home anymore. It became a house. Now I’ve got my home back and it’s absolutely magnificent. I just love it.”

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