A garden makes a house a home
The transformation of Joy’s colourful garden parallels a significant change in Joy’s life.
Six years ago, Joy was living with diabetes and chronic pain, but was reluctant to admit there were tasks that she needed help with.
As Joy recalls: “I wouldn’t go anywhere. My son Gary used to encourage me to go out but I told him ‘no, I can watch TV’– and that’s all I did.”
Finally persuaded to accept assistance through a Home Care Package, Joy started working with Gemma, her Baptcare Care Consultant. Gemma tailored a comprehensive care package that went beyond just household tasks. In conversations about Joy’s goals and interests, Joy mentioned that she loved gardening because “a garden makes a house a home”. So Baptcare’s diversional therapist, Jenny Puxley, began working closely with Joy on a creative plan to improve Joy’s quality of life.
A favourite childhood hymn of Joy’s sparked the plan to create a garden that reflected the colours and themes of acceptance that match the welcome Joy extends to all who visit her home. The project expanded to another garden involving native plants, which is a passion of her sons and therefore became a shared interest among the family. As a further link to her past, Joy used some seedlings that she remembered growing locally in her childhood, as well as a few cuttings from Jenny’s own garden.
Jenny says that Joy is barely recognisable from the reserved lady who didn’t speak when they first met. “Now she’s such an active part of our community that she supports our other clients. She’ll ring them if she knows they are not well, and she is now a vibrant, funny person who’s part of everything.”
Stories like Joy’s are what inspire Baptcare to be a part of the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show. This is the third consecutive year Baptcare has been involved with the show – an event we are immensely proud of being associated with.
Baptcare has been providing care and support to the Victorian community for more than 70 years and today that includes help for people at home, support for children and families and residential aged care.
Our continued involvement in the Melbourne International Flower and Garden show reflects Baptcare’s commitment to creating communities, families and homes where everyone feels supported, loved and can blossom with age. It reflects our acknowledgement that like our gardens, people also need love to flourish.
