I moved to New Zealand with my husband and our two children back in 1988. New Zealand was very short of trained mental health nurses then, and I was one of 13 who were recruited from Malaysia by the Government. I started working at Kenepuru/Porirua Hospital, and the work was good for me. Unfortunately, after four years of being here, my husband passed away, so I worked seven days a week to support them, and they were good kids.
For most of my career I was working in the admission ward, where we treated elderly people who were referred from their homes. Many of the patients would end up going to rest homes, and lots of them came to Kemp Home & Hospital. Working with the elderly reminded me of the way I thought of my grandparents. I had so much respect for them, and everything they had done for me, so I liked being able to help other older people who now found themselves in a vulnerable situation.
After I retired, I moved in with my son and his family. I loved living with them, especially when we were all together, but during the day I was getting quite lonely. I’m not really a TV person, and there’s only so much music you can listen to! At some point, they were planning to go away on a long trip and didn’t want me to be all alone in the house, so I came to Kemp for six weeks of respite care. I loved everything about it. There were activities throughout the day, and I found it all very inspiring. When I went home, I told my family that I wanted to live here. They were quite disappointed because they wanted me to stay at home, but they understood, and earlier this year I moved in.
Every morning, I get up at 6:30 looking forward to the day ahead. I get straight into the shower, ready for breakfast, then we have our indoor exercises and short quiz before morning tea time. Then we do different activities like word puzzles until lunch. After that, we play housie or indoor bowls and hockey, then we’re free to mix and mingle until tea time. It’s a lot of fun.
The residents all get along very well too. We’re never lonely, and I like being able to chat with everyone. My career as a nurse has become very useful – I’m quick to help someone who is a bit sick or coughing. I’m always tempted to pat their back or get my Vicks to rub on their temples – a bit like a mother does for her child!
I can see that the nurses here are very dedicated. They’re always looking out for you, which makes you feel safe. For my birthday, they even made a cake, and everyone joined together to sing for me. They do that for all of us, and it’s very special.
It’s also important that this is a place of faith because most of us residents are looking for God. We the elderly feel so much closer to the other side, that if we want to go to the chapel to reflect or pray for our loved ones we can, and that makes me happy.
I still see my family very often, and my son brings my grandson in to see me every week. Sadly, earlier this year my daughter passed away at 51, but I go and stay with her daughter when she has time off work – she’s a nurse now too.
Thank you to everyone who donates to make sure Kemp is doing so much good for us. Being part of the Kemp family is lovely, and it makes me feel that my time is being very well spent.
