A Journey of Care and Companionship at Mary Chester House
Carol Olson has been a devoted carer to her husband, Peter, who was diagnosed with mixed dementia. To support both Peter and herself, Carol relies on the services provided by Mary Chester House (MCH), where Peter attends both Day Centre and Overnight Respite. He regularly visits on Mondays and Thursdays.
For Peter, these visits to MCH are essential. “He needs the interaction, he needs the companionship and he needs to talk to people, which he doesn’t do at home one-on-one,” Carol explains. As Peter’s health deteriorated and his dementia progressed, Carol was advised to use the services at MCH. The positive impact was immediate. “When I picked him up after his first day at Mary Chester, he talked all the way home. I even put our son on speaker so he could listen too – it was pretty cool,” Carol recalls.
Carol finds immense value in the respite provided by MCH. “They are all so helpful, they care and I am quite happy leaving him,” she says. The compassionate care from Geetha, the carers, volunteers and staff, who greet Peter by name and with a smile, reassures Carol. “To be able to leave him here with somebody who really cares is amazing.”
Seeing Peter happy and engaged at MCH brings Carol immense joy. “I am sure he benefits from it because he is always happy. Sometimes when I come to pick him up in the afternoon, there is singing and he has joined in even though he has never sung before,” she shares. One day, when Carol asked if Peter was ready to go home, he replied, “Not yet,” so they stayed for a couple more songs. “They are wonderful here. I am so pleased that I am able to bring Peter here, as much for him as for me.”
The Benefits of Overnight Respite
Peter often needs assistance at night, requiring Carol to lead him to and from the bathroom multiple times. Overnight respite at MCH provides Carol with much-needed rest. “Overnight respite really does refresh the brain and enables you to think about yourself a bit more, instead of having to worry about Peter 24/7,” she explains.
The Day Centre Experience
The Day Centre at MCH offers Carol the opportunity to engage in activities she loves, such as swimming at Claremont Pool and catching up with friends over coffee without worrying about Peter’s welfare. It also allows her to make appointments without the fear of cancellation. “Coming here, I think it has achieved everything I hoped it would for Peter and myself. I honestly didn’t realise that Alzheimer’s and dementia would affect us this way,” Carol reflects.
The journey of Carol and Peter at Mary Chester House underscores the importance of respite services for both individuals with dementia and their caregivers. The compassionate care and support at MCH provide a lifeline, allowing Carol to maintain her well-being while ensuring Peter remains happy and engaged.
To book your day or overnight respite stay at one of AWA’s homes, contact us here or phone 1300 66 77 88.
