Georgina picks Evelyn Page Village to care for her mum – Evelyn Page!

During her search for care for her mum, Georgina knew Ryman Healthcare’s Evelyn Page Retirement Village was an obvious choice, given her mum was also called Evelyn Page.

“I had done a little volunteering for one of the first serviced apartment residents to live there. I think mum was quite chuffed that a big retirement village would have the same name as her,” says Georgina, who lives down the road from the Ōrewa village in Arkles Bay.

However, she also knew there was much more to consider than just the name of the establishment.

“I actually went on Facebook and asked who would recommend where and why, and why not?,” she says.

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There was a positive response for Evelyn Page Village, but also recommendations for a place in Kumeū.

Ultimately, she chose Evelyn Page so that she could visit her at any time. Having cared for her mum for the five years prior, Georgina had been delighted to learn how loved she was at all the different groups she was part of and had grown much closer to her.

“She’s my mum and I needed to step up and be on hand for her. When it came to deciding which village, the thing that really swung it for me was the open door policy at Evelyn Page. You don’t need to make an appointment.

“I love that I’ve been able to provide extra stimulation whenever I’ve been able to.

“It was just very reassuring and made me feel a lot more secure. And that is a big thing, the security of knowing that I can walk in at any time.”

Evelyn, 90, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s 14 years ago and Georgina is certain that being such a sociable and active person – both physically and mentally - helped her mum to stave off the symptoms for a long time.

Originally from Sussex, England, Evelyn was a gold standard dance teacher at the Court School of Dancing, later working at the John Young dance studios when she moved out to New Zealand with her husband and their blended family of seven children.

She worked as a tea lady at Blow Moulders factory in Glen Eden and loved getting together with other Brits in the Pearly Group and Londoners Group. With a strong Christian faith, Evelyn regularly attended Glen Eden Baptist Church and ran the Be Positive group.

Georgina says Evelyn moved in with her when she was assessed as needing rest home level care. She would take her to various activities, including exercise classes, bingo or prayer group.

“Mum kept her brain really active, she would do crosswords, Sudoku or chess. She was very determined.”

There came a point last year when it was time to reassess what was best for Evelyn.

“Mum was declining quite a bit. We have many, many stairs all over the house, and one day Mum collapsed and had to go to hospital. We decided it would be a good time for her to move into the village.”

Georgina is the first to admit that the transition of leaving her mum in the special care unit was tough going, as was seeing her mother gradually decline.

“It was really hard. It’s been up and down.

“I’m fortunate that I can come in to see her so often, I think it’s important to keep that connection with mum and keep her stimulated.”

She is particularly thankful for some of the wonderful people who have worked with her mum.

“Chanda, the activities coordinator, puts her heart and soul into her job, it’s like a calling for her, she’s beautiful.”

Georgina says her music-loving mum loves the exercise programme, which is set to cool music, her weekly church meetings for prayer and singing hymns, and anything active such as balloon volleyball.

“Mum really likes that. The other day she was doing soccer, even with her broken hip!”

The nature of the illness meant Evelyn went through quite a difficult time.

“I am so grateful to the Unit Coordinator Honey for her perseverance, and for mum’s lovely caregiver Nova, who is a star. They persevered with mum and she did come out the other side,” Georgina says.

When looking at care facilities for a loved one, Georgina suggests seeking honest feedback from other family members visiting their relatives, talking to residents, seeing how staff interact with residents, asking about activity schedules and staff to resident ratios and checking reviews online.

“The staff are beautiful here, they are so welcoming to visitors. I always feel welcome. They are a wonderful special team.”