Focus on family

Elderly in care Teresa McGlynn Many elderly have immediate families living far away, making loneliness a real concern. Here at the Home of Compassion in Upper Hutt, some elderly residents…

Elderly in care

Teresa McGlynn

Many elderly have immediate families living far away, making loneliness a real concern. Here at the Home of Compassion in Upper Hutt, some elderly residents who had previously been on their own now have people around and support.

Adjusting to care and living in a community you are not used to can be difficult. No-one wants to give up independence, and sharing with other families and facilities can require some adaptation. But most residents are happy to have company after being alone in their own homes. For some, our community becomes like an extended family. People visiting family members will often link up with residents who are on their own and bring them presents and flowers.

We have Mass every day and Fr Barry O’Connor provides weekly pastoral care. Ministers of different religions pop in and visit their church members.

The community here is a family in itself.