When life needs a helping hand

“I live on my own and I rely on my carers who come daily to help me with various day-today activities,” says Dorothy, who receives private home care services from BlueCross twice a day, seven days a week.

“I have a carer who comes in the morning to make my breakfast and help me shower and get dressed. She also makes the bed and cleans up the place before she leaves. In the evening, another carer comes to help me get into bed. I take Sustagen so she also gives me that.”

She enjoys reading and watching the television, but also finds the time to knit for charities supporting disadvantaged children. Originally from the United Kingdom, Dorothy moved to Australia six years ago. Prior to that, Zimbabwe and South Africa were her home for many decades when her husband, a pilot with the UK Royal Air Force, was posted there.

“I met Philip when we were working in a patent attorney’s office. We were both in our late teens then,” recalls Dorothy.

“When World War II broke out, he joined the army and we were separated for two years. During that time, I worked as a driver for the army, transporting ammunition to various places."

Dorothy and Philip married a few years later and had two children. They moved to Zimbabwe (then known as Southern Rhodesia) before relocating to Pretoria in South Africa, and finally settling down in Durban when Philip retired from service.

“When Philip died in 2010, I lived on my own for a few years. I couldn’t drive anymore so I decided to move to Australia in 2013 to be closer to family. I have a son in Australia – he has been living here for over 40 years,” says Dorothy, who has seven grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren across Australia and the UK. Having lived in three continents, Dorothy has had her fair share of travelling but one experience eludes her – cruising along the Rhine River in Europe.

“I guess I’m too old for that now, but I’ve lived a good life so I have no regrets,” says Dorothy with a twinkle in her eye. “I enjoy living here in Australia and being supported to live the life I want.”

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