Staying together is paramount for Ron and Bev

Moving into a retirement community or residential aged care can be a difficult decision. And what if your spouse needs more care than you, but you want to stay together? Co-located retirement and aged care communities are a great option.

This was Ron's predicament back in 2013. His wife Bev had had a stroke and was unable to live independently. “My daughter and I searched but there weren’t many (co-located) places around. Then we found Shanagolden, which was basically brand new and stood out immediately as a nice place.”

Bev moved into the aged care residence and after he’d packed up their family home, Ron moved to the retirement village next door.

Non-profit organisation VMCH has four co-located communities in Pakenham (Shanagolden), Bacchus Marsh (Providence), Clayton (Corpus Christi) and Torquay (Star of the Sea). Not only are they a great option for couples like Bev and Ron with different needs, but also for independent couples or individuals who’d like to know the next step in their housing journey isn’t physically far away, if their needs change.

Ron enjoys living at Shanagolden and likes the option of having activities and events on hand, but mainly prefers to keep to himself and spend time with his beloved Bev.

Each day he walks over to the aged care residence while Bev’s having her morning tea, then takes her for a walk in her wheelchair around the lovely grounds or to the local shops.

“I was a member of the Pakenham Bowling Club for four years and had a great time there. I loved playing bowls and enjoyed myself immensely, but I thought my time was better spent with Bev and taking her to all the places I could manage to do.”

If Ron’s needs change, Shanagolden also offers to organise a range of in-home services such as domestic assistance, access to allied health, respite, and transport to appointments or shopping.

But for now, he’s content in his daily routine spending time with Bev, his wife of almost 61 years.

“It’s amazing how she’s put up with me for all this time! What I’ve got left in life is her.”

Click the links to learn more about VMCH’s retirement living or residential aged care options or call 1300 698 624.