Heather’s story: “Volunteering gives me a real sense of purpose.”
Heather first became involved with HBH when her husband Kevin was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease at age 70 and began to attend our Day Programme two to three days a week, which he really enjoyed and looked forward to.
Available six days a week, our Day Programme not only provides older people with cognitive stimulation, but also companionship and variety. “So many older people would sit at home and do nothing all day if they didn’t attend the Programme. I know with Kevin, he would just do Sudoku all day if he couldn’t attend.”
Sadly, Kevin’s Parkinson’s progressed quickly. Until then, they had been enjoying their retirement of ‘campa-vanning’ around Australia and New Zealand. However, after returning from their last trip away, Kevin announced that he thought they should sell the campervan and stay close to home. “I had noticed little things while we were away, but this was quite out of character and looking back, I think he knew something was not right after that trip,” says Heather.
After the diagnosis, Kevin and Heather sold their house in Bombay and moved to a smaller property in the Howick area. “I was very fortunate that Kevin completely accepted his diagnosis and was extremely co-operative and appreciative of what I did and the changes we needed to make to our living situation,” Heather explains.
The right care at the right time
When the time came to consider palliative care, Heather said she couldn’t have been better supported by HBH. “Jenny Moore, HBH’s social worker, was my main point of contact, and she was amazing. She’d say to me things like ‘no rush, just when you are ready,’ and she was calm and kind, and guided me every step of the way.”
“Kevin declined very quickly and was only in the care home for 11 days,” she says. “The level of compassionate care was as I knew it would be – and made such a difference to his last few days and ours as a family.”
Heather says long-standing staff members like Jenny make HBH what it is today. “HBH has always had a very loyal team which continues to this day and makes the culture so strong. Everyone is so friendly and kind and there is such a good atmosphere. I know a lot of other care homes and HBH is a standout.”
Finding purpose and giving back
Heather now volunteers at the Day programme on Mondays and Fridays and finds it really rewarding. “Volunteering gives me a real sense of purpose, and I am so supportive of what they do at the Day Programme,” she says. “It really makes such a difference to the lives of the people who attend and their families.”
As a volunteer, Heather is well aware of the benefits of the programme for caregivers, as it gives them a break during the day. “I can see on their faces how tired some of them are when they drop off their partner or family member. It’s extremely hard caring for someone at home and physically demanding as well.”
Heather has found something she is very passionate about and says she loves her Fridays and Mondays!