Taking pride of place on the wall of Patricia Trueman’s light-filled room at Mercy Place Fernhill is a photo canvas featuring the new resident’s entire family. They are everything to the 86-year-old, which is why it was so important to have her loved ones visit regularly as she settled into her new home.
As she takes a little break from her morning stretches, Patricia joyfully points out her two daughters, four grandchildren and one great grandson on the large canvas that dominates her room.
“These two were in here visiting me this morning,” Patricia delights, as she points to her grandson and his partner.
New Mercy Place Fernhill resident Patricia Trueman stands proudly with her family photos.
Patricia made Mercy Place Fernhill her home just a couple of months ago, right at the peak of coronavirus pandemic restrictions. Her family was with her every step of the way.
Coronavirus has changed the way we all function in the world around us, but what has not changed during these uncertain times is Mercy Health’s approach to person-centred, relational care.
To date, Mercy Health residents have continued to see their loved ones in their Mercy Place homes, albeit with careful screening measures and restrictions in place.
“The health and wellbeing of our residents is our number one priority,” Mercy Place Fernhill Service Manager Josh Wonder says. “By health and wellbeing, we mean both their physical and emotional needs. The restrictions that we have implemented balance risk with the very human need we have to maintain connections.
Patricia takes in the view from her light-filled room.
“The situation is fluid, of course, and we will respond to any government directives that are issued now and in the future. In all this, the emotional and social needs of our residents will always be a factor in any decision we make.”
For residents like Patricia, moving into a home that allowed her to maintain family contact was essential.
I know that people say that they never want to go into aged care. But if you ever do, you couldn’t get any better than here. This is home.
“It’s terribly important to me to be able to see my family here in my new home,” she says. “I wouldn’t have moved here if I couldn’t.”
Mercy Place Fernhill resident Dione Bourke is also appreciative of the contact she can maintain with family, as is her daughter Bronwyn Dwight who lives in Hamilton in rural Victoria.
“I understand the physical threat that coronavirus poses,” Bronwyn says. “But people’s mental and social concerns also need to be met. It would be very difficult for all of us if we couldn’t see each other. I think they have found the right balance here.”
Resident Dione Bourke and her daughter Bronwyn Dwight enjoy some family time together in her room.
Dione has lived at Mercy Place Fernhill for about 18 months, and home is just how the grandmother of nine and great grandmother of six sees the Sandringham-based home.
“I know that people say that they never want to go into aged care,” Dione says. “But if you ever do, you couldn’t get any better than here. This is home.”
Last reviewed July 29, 2020.