At
Gittisham Hill House care home, in Honiton, which offers residential, nursing and dementia care, one Resident was having a lovely walk in the woodland when it sparked something so much more…
Resident Pat was out enjoying the Gittisham Hill grounds with the home’s Wellbeing Coordinator, Jill Watts, enjoying the sounds of the home’s water fountain and the countryside smells. When the conversation started flowing.
Pat and Jill were reminiscing about loves and losses, and times gone by when Pat told Jill how much she regretted losing touch with her sister-in-law since they both moved into nursing homes some time ago and this was making her feel sad; not knowing where her sister-in-law was now living.
Pat feels they had always been so close in the past, and Pat hated the thought that her sister-in-law may also be wondering where Pat was living and maybe she was trying to contact her.
Jill gathered more detail and Pat talked about her living in Horton, Somerset which gave Jill some clues.
Jill was able to find Pat’s Relative, compose a letter with Pat and passed it to the local Horton nursing home, in the hope the Relative could be located.
A week later, and to Pat’s delight a reply came back which Pat states was a very emotional, happy moment for her!
Pat didn’t believe this moment would ever happen and is overjoyed to have made contact, something she never dreamed possible.
Pat said, “I’m feeling so emotional, I never dreamt that this day would ever happen.”
Jill and Pat are now planning a face-to-face reunion sometime soon.
One thing for sure is Gittisham Hill house will be planning one very special reunion tea party for the wonderful occasion.
Julia Heneker, Care Home Manager, commented, “This is such an inspirational story, I am so delighted for Pat who has longed for this moment.”