Jill Smart found herself surrounded by like-minded people from the get-go when she and husband, Jeff, moved into Hawthorn Community a few months ago.
“During my first few days here I saw a familiar face and recognised the lady as a fellow member of U3A as well as from the Embroidery Guild! It’s great, we’ve got so much to chat about,” says Jill.
Jill, 88, is also good at smocking and has created coat-hanger covers as well as a little dress for her great-granddaughter.
The retired nurse and midwife is delighted with the choice she made to move into the brand-new third storey wing of the community with its plush spacious rooms that she says resembles a hotel more than anything else.
“Jeff and I were living at home and even though he was on a home care package we were struggling to cope as his dementia got worse. The family stepped in to help both of us, but I felt guilty about this because it was not fair on them,” she explains. “So Jeff went in for respite care for two weeks to give me a break, but he missed me so terribly that he only lasted eight days before leaving. I realised that when he moved into aged care permanently, I would need to go in with him.”
But where to move to?
“My daughter-in-law took me to visit a huge number of aged care residences, but I wasn’t happy with any of them,” recalls Jill. “I wanted a room that was light, bright and airy – and when I visited Hawthorn Community I said to her ‘we can stop looking now, I think we will be very happy here.”
They certainly are.
Jill and retired-banker Jeff have adjoining rooms, and Jill is enjoying not having to worry about cooking meals and doing housework and laundry.
She’s enjoying all the activities on offer. Over the years Jill has been a bit of a live-wire, raising their three children, nursing and being part of the Sing Australia and the Gospel Choir in Canberra where they lived for many years.
She’s also volunteered at the Parliament House Rose Gardens in Canberra as well as cooking courses at TAFE.
Jill can continue her love of both at Hawthorn. Residents enjoy cooking classes and pottering around the beautiful garden. Jill also enjoys going on bus trip outings, socialising with fellow residents and attending the exercise and art classes.
Living in Hawthorn Community has also taken a huge worry off her mind, caring for Jeff.
“We’ve been married for 67 years – we met at a dance when we were both 16 and were married at the age of 21. We’ve had a wonderful life together,” explains Jill. “I could not be happy and at peace if he was unhappy.”