When Evelyn found out there were two pianos at Enliven’s Reevedon Home, she says the decision to move in became an easy one.
“I get on the piano every morning – I play by ear – and I play all the old songs under the sun,” she says. “If there’s time for requests I take them.”
When Evelyn moved to the home in Levin earlier this year from Whakatane, she also brought along her folder of songs.
“I’ve got a book with about 150 songs with just the lyrics – no music!” she says.
“When I lived in Whakatane and I used to go out singing in the rest homes there.”
Residents at all Enliven homes are encouraged to continue their passions after they move in. It follows Enliven’s philosophy of care, which encourages residents to do activities which help to avoid the feelings of loneliness, helplessness and boredom that can occur with elders.
Another bonus for Evelyn moving into Reevedon Home was her ability to continue her love of gardening.
“I always had gardens at home,” she says. “When I moved here, I found I had time and I wanted to do something, so I went out and started weeding and doing other things.”
The home has raised garden beds, so they are at a helpful height for residents who enjoy a spot of gardening.
Earlier this year, Evelyn helped to plant mint, marigolds, dianthus, pansies and chrysanthemums.
“It’s great,” she says of her gardening efforts. “It’ll look so colourful when spring comes.”
In Levin, Enliven offers a full range of positive ageing services, from independent retirement living, to rest home, hospital and dementia care, short-term respite, recovery care and an engaging day programme. If there comes a time village residents need extra support, they will have priority entry to our Levin War Veterans Home when there is availability. To learn more about Enliven’s philosophy and services, call 06 368 7900 (Reevedon Home) or 06 366 0052 (Levin Home).
