Walking into Caravonica Waters, you immediately notice that there is something different about this place… could it be the sparkling chandeliers or the enormous fish tanks? The beautiful prints that line the corridors or the smell of coffee and muffins coming from the café at the front?
I now know what it is. It’s the people there. Cliché? No. The atmosphere is relaxed and comfortable, clean and fresh and the staff are smiling. Not in a freaky ‘gotta be nice today’ way, but genuinely, as if they are sincerely pleased to be there.
When I first went into Caravonica Waters I was a mess. My father had died suddenly and I was immediately responsible for my mother who was not only grieving, but had dementia. I felt so alone and overwhelmed. I organized the funeral, packed her belongings and my 8 year old daughter and I flew her up on a plane to my house here in Cairns. It really was a living nightmare. Mum didn’t want to be here, she just wanted to go home and she couldn’t understand what was happening around her.
After a few weeks of watching Mum on an emotional rollercoaster ranging from raging at me to bawling uncontrollably, listening to her prowl around the house at night opening and shutting cupboards and muttering to herself, physically having to restrain her from getting in her car to drive home and having my husband and daughter hiding in their rooms to avoid her, I realized I had to do something.
In my mind, aged care was synonymous with being locked in, being locked up, having your freedoms taken away, losing your sense of peace and individuality and being surrounded by exhausted and frustrated care workers. I walked into Caravonica Waters and was shown the greatest kindness, warmth and understanding from the lady there, that I promptly burst into tears. An hour later, I was still there crying on her shoulder, whilst she reassured me that I was not alone. And I haven’t been alone since.
Caravonica Waters is not simply a new, fresh, clean place for the aged. It has heart and compassion. There is a sign there which says “The residents don’t live in our workplace, we work in their home” and this is reflected in the staff who work there, in their gentle smiles and friendly welcomes, in their respect and deference to the residents and visitors.
My Mum calls it her Hotel and has redecorated her room to her own taste, everything from the outdoor setting on her private patio to her cosy armchair with cushions. My family loves visiting there. There’s multiple outdoor areas where we chillax and we can even bring our puppy to visit. My daughter insists that she will stay there when she is older, loving the chandeliers, the sewing room, the games, books and puzzles in all the ‘play’ rooms. She’s still looking for the ‘massage room’ (there’s not one, although there is a hairdressing salon there!).
All I can say is thank you so much from the bottom of my heart. My Mum loves her ‘Hotel’ and has settled in incredibly well. Thank you again.
