After her husband passed away, Bupa resident Noelene moved from her home in Dannevirke to Merrivale Retirement Village to be closer to family. “I looked at nearly every retirement village in the area, and they all felt very clinical,” says Noelene. “When I visited Merrivale, the Village Assistant Erica was so helpful and kind, and the whole atmosphere just felt like home. My little dog Gabby and I moved into a serviced apartment, and we really couldn’t have made a better choice. My apartment is bright and modern, with enough room for all my treasures, and the housekeeping and meals provided are of a high standard. Nothing is too much trouble!”
“The home I chose was very similar to my previous home in Dannevirke with its layout, as well as having its own private garden. I had a big garden previously, and lots of birds, so when I came to Merrivale I really wanted something similar – Bupa were quite happy for me to bring my own garden statues and plants which allowed me to make it lovely and homely, just on a smaller scale!”
When she’s not pottering around the garden, Noelene enjoys life in and around the village, playing Bingo once a week and catching up with friends. “All the residents here love Gabby – she comes with me to village activities like morning teas and happy hour, and everyone fights over her! When we’re out for a walk during the day it’s often a case of who’s going to pat her first,” laughs Noelene. While Gabby takes timeout from socialising, Noelene pops out to visit her sister for lunch every Sunday, with a spot of shopping afterwards.
The peace of mind knowing Bupa Merrivale had a care home on site was another deciding factor for Noelene when choosing a retirement village. “If in the future I need rest home or hospital care, it is right here,” she says.
