Colleen’s daughter Jacqui visited two retirement villages in the area, with Colleen’s prerequisite of an on-site care home top of mind. “When she found St Kilda, she texted me straight away saying ‘Mum this village looks like you and Rex!’.”
“We came down from Auckland the following weekend, and after meeting the village team and seeing the villa, my heart just knew – this is it,” says Colleen.
The couple faced a lengthy insurance process after losing their home in the Auckland Anniversary Day floods, and Colleen says they were grateful to the Bupa team who held their villa for three months.
Moving day went smoothly, says Colleen. “From the day we arrived I’ve been in my happy place. Meeting the other residents was great, we were both made to feel so welcome.”
Sadly, after eight months living in their villa Rex had a stroke and needed to move into care. With a care home on site at the village, it was just a four-minute walk for Colleen to visit Rex. “The care team have been amazing, and being so close is wonderful – I walk over every evening and give Rex his dinner,” she says.
“Our days here are full, with van outings, happy hour, morning tea every Friday and knitting group. I love my villa, it’s warm, and the upkeep is all done for us including the lawns and garden. I feel like I won Lotto living here – my life is blessed.”
