Resident Val Rees has lived at TriCare James Ommaney Retirement Community for nine years and has gradually taken on more of the services and assistance offered by the village as time has gone by.
“When I moved here, I was totally independent,” she said. “I cooked and cleaned for myself, along with driving to the supermarket and various activities outside the village.
“One of the main reasons I decided to move into retirement living was for the company, but also to have easy access to more assistance when the time arose.
“I stopped driving two years ago and now use the village’s community bus to go shopping and I enjoy the regular outings to the local shopping centre and further afield.
“I have a cleaner once a week, and enjoy a delicious lunch at our in-house restaurant but still have dinner and breakfast in my unit.”
A busy social calendar provides residents with many opportunities to socialise with their neighbours and to get out and about among their community.
Activities aren’t only restricted to inside the village with regular day trips held in and around the Brisbane area including recent trips to Mary Cairncross Park to visit the Rainforest Discovery entre, New Farm Park and a trip to Poppy’s Chocolate Factory planned for April.
Mrs Rees is an active member of the TriCare James Ommaney community and loves the opportunity to contribute by organising the weekly craft and chat sessions – pictured from the left are participants Pam O’Grady, Auriol Kirkham, Marion Shepherd, Val Rees, Gwen Lose and Barbara Axam – and the monthly music and morning tea where residents share their favourite music CDs over a cuppa.
Personal health and wellbeing are also catered for with a hairdressing salon, regular visits from allied professionals such as a podiatrist, along with weekly balance classes and church services.
