Dennis’s story – living with real care at Hunters Hill

Each year, we provide full and partial subsidies to around 240 members of the Sydney Jewish community at a cost of $4 million, ensuring they receive the quality accommodation, health care and cultural inclusion they deserve.

You can support Montefiore with a donation to the JCA 2019 Campaign here.

For more than a decade, Montefiore has been an important part of Dennis’s life, supporting his wife Marion when she came to live at Hunters Hill with multiple sclerosis (MS) in her 50s, and enabling the couple to continue their married life together once Dennis joined her in Residential Care. Since Marion’s passing, Dennis continues to live an active life at Hunters Hill, including devoting many hours to giving back as a resident volunteer. Here he shares his experience:

Marion and I were married for 42 years, the last 12 years of which she spent here at Hunters Hill. I was still working, and Marion was falling frequently, so we found that she needed much more care than I could provide at home. It was stressful knowing that my wife was moving into a nursing home at such a young age, but I soon realised that she was safe and receiving the best care possible.   

Ten years later, with some health issues of my own and needing to move from my sister’s home, I also came to live here in the hostel area with support from Montefiore. After so many years living apart, it was wonderful when Marion and I were able to move into a shared room together, which we made as homely as possible with our photos and furniture.  

I can’t speak highly enough of the people who looked after Marion, the way they managed her care and formed genuine relationships. When she passed away 18 months ago, many of the staff from the Apple neighbourhood attended her funeral and grieved with us.  

Marion loved it here at Hunters Hill, and so do I. There are no words to describe how wonderful the staff are – everyone is friendly, caring and respectful. There’s a peaceful atmosphere and lovely gardens to enjoy – it really does feel like one big, happy home, not a ‘nursing home’.  

So Marion has gone but this is my home now. I’m fairly healthy, although last year a blood clot requiring emergency surgery reminded me that I’ll need this security more as I grow older. The care I received was remarkable and I was back on my feet within a month. 

I still drive and enjoy my freedom, meeting up with old friends and visiting my daughters in Queensland. I’ve made friends here too, of course – the advice I give to new residents is to be open, then find a few people whose company you enjoy and form proper friendships.  

Like many residents here I also volunteer, driving those less able to medical appointments and taking them out and about. It’s good to be able to give back, as I feel lucky and very proud to be part of Montefiore. We’re fortunate as a community to have such a wonderful place for people to come to in their later years. 

Donate to Montefiore via the JCA 2019 Campaign here.