Marj praises carers for reaching 100
This week (10-16 October), we acknowledge carers all around Australia, for the important work that they do.
Among many things, carers help older people to continue living at home for as long as possible.
On October 1 2021, Mrs Marj Holman celebrated her 100th birthday milestone, thanking those who helped her along the way.
During Marj’s life, she remembers always keeping ‘happy and active’, and having many craft projects on the go, most of them going towards the community through the Uniting Church.
‘I have always been with the Uniting Church, and at one point I was a lay preacher – an assistant of sorts.’
Through the Uniting Church, Marj found Resthaven, and volunteered for more than twenty-five years, working in the site shop at Resthaven Westbourne Park. For this, she received an appreciation gift.
‘I still keep my engraved pen on me, I have it with me right now!’
After Marj’s husband, Ronald, passed away at 91, she found herself in need of a helping hand.
‘I needed a bit of help around the house, and with groceries. I had a chat with Resthaven, and they took care of it.’
‘Reaching out for home support services was the best decision I made – If you need the help, go for it!’
Marj praises the carers who assisted her to live independently all this time.
‘Well, I suppose I have reached 100 now and I’m still living at home! I wouldn’t have been able to do this without the help of carers.’
Marj looks forward to spending Tuesdays at Lane Cottages in Kingswood, just one of three Resthaven Community Respite Services group respite programs. Here she enjoys quizzes, chats, morning and afternoon tea and lunch, with the company of other guests. She particularly enjoyed her 100th birthday party at the cottages.
Marj continues to be supported to live independently through Resthaven Community Services, and every Sunday, you will find her on Westbourne Park’s Uniting Church livestream, receiving church services through her new gadget.
‘I used to be an avid reader, but now I play on my iPad!’
Marj shares, ‘The secret to a long life is faith. Faith has gotten me through everything in my life, and has helped me to be strong, happy and active – no matter what storms I weathered.’
Many happy returns, Mrs Holman.
Established in 1935, Resthaven is a South Australian not-for-profit aged care community service associated with the Uniting Church in Australia.
Every day, Resthaven shares the lives and wisdom of older people and their carers, opening doors to the full range of aged care service options available.
Services are provided throughout metropolitan Adelaide, the Adelaide Hills, Murraylands, Riverland, Fleurieu Peninsula, lower Barossa region and the Limestone Coast of South Australia.