When home matters most: Pat's story

Pat had a special way of loving life and the people around her. To her family, she was everything a mother should be. Warm, generous and deeply caring, she treated everyone she met with kindness and unconditional love. 

Pat moved into Glengara Care, set in the heart of Glengara Retirement Village, on her 85th birthday. From day one, she felt at home. She loved her apartment, the gardens and the sense of independence she enjoyed every day. Often, she said she wished she had moved in earlier. Glengara Care was not just where she lived. It was where she belonged. 

When Pat was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, her family faced the reality that her time was limited. While in hospital, conversation turned to moving into a nursing home, without realising that Glengara Care could offer end of life care right where she was. For Pat, staying at Glengara Care mattered. This was her home and she never wanted to leave. 

Pat’s son, Craig, reflected on her connection with the team. They were more than carers. To her they were family.  

“She loved them and they loved her. And to her, that’s why this place was home,” he says. 

Her family’s wish was simple. To honour Pat’s desire to remain at Glengara Care, surrounded by people she loved. Throughout her final days, Pat was comfortable and free from pain. When she passed away, the grief was shared. The Glengara Care team mourned alongside her family, a testament to the genuine bonds formed. 

Even after her passing, the care continued. The team checked in, offering support and compassion through the grieving process. 

Pat’s story is one of home, dignity and belonging, and of the difference that true care can make when it matters most.