101 not out for Mrs West
Mrs Viola West may be 101, but that doesn’t stop her from living independently at home, with support from Resthaven Western Community Services.
Holli Gilbertson is one of the Home Support Workers who support Mrs West, and it is clear that she thoroughly enjoys it.
‘I love it, it’s so good – the whole concept of working in the community, and meeting lots of new people – it’s something different every day,’ says Holli.
‘I meet so many interesting people with interesting stories.’
Mrs West definitely has an interesting story to tell, having turned 100 in January 2016.
‘I got a letter from the Queen, the Governor, the Prime Minister – everyone,’ she says of her milestone, with a smile and a roll of her eyes.
‘My granddaughter organised the party, and family came from all over – most of them live in Western Australia,’ she says.
‘It was the first time in 30 years that we had all been together.’
Mrs West enjoys living in her own home, with support from Resthaven staff such as Holli.
‘It really never occurred to me to move into a residential home,’ she says.
‘I moved into this [retirement living] village for company when I was 96, and it’s been a very good move.’
‘We got on to Resthaven as I’m pretty well blind now, so my daughter organised Resthaven Western Community Services to come and help me out.’
‘The staff take me to the shop, do a bit of walking, a bit of cleaning, and, on Fridays, sometimes we go out for a coffee.’
‘Apart from the help I get, it’s the company; it’s so nice to see some nice young faces – they are polite and helpful.’
Mrs West is looking forward to celebrating her 102nd birthday at Port Noarlunga in January 2018.
‘The restaurant has promised us free drinks if I make it,’ she says.
‘I’m looking forward to a nice champagne!’
Resthaven community services supports around 8,000 older people across metropolitan Adelaide, the Adelaide hills, Riverland, Murraylands, Fleurieu, and Limestone Coast.