Keeping in touch with grandchildren during COVID-19 restrictions

One of the hardest things about self-isolating during the COVID-19 pandemic is not being able to see your grandchildren – and for your grandchildren not to be able to see you too!

Like many Living Choice residents, Deepwater Court resident, Joan Gooley, is missing her family terribly. She comes from a very close-knit family and her children and grandchildren love her very much. Her seven-year-old grandson, Max is extremely close to her and they talk every day on the phone. However, at times, they don’t have a lot to talk about, so they decided to watch a series on Netflix called ‘Free Rein’ (obviously in their separate homes) and each day Joan quizzes her grandson about the episodes they have both watched.

One day, Joan was a few episodes behind so she asked Max to tell her all about them and she was amazed at how much he was able to remember. They both get to have a laugh and always have something interesting to talk about.

Joan moved into Living Choice Deepwater Court at the end of August 2018 after finding that her house in Empire Bay was becoming too big to manage. She had a hip replacement last year and is still able to enjoy short walks around the village. She is very grateful that the indoor heated pool has reopened in the community centre, for those with medical conditions and by appointment only. Her groceries are home-delivered and she keeps in touch with fellow residents via phone. She’ll be standing outside her villa on ANZAC Day, as will many other Deepwater Court residents.

“Despite the current restrictions, I don’t regret coming here for one minute - everyone has made me feel very welcome,” she said.