Sep 20, 2023

Going above and beyond: Brisbane aged care staff make couple’s dream come true

Untitled design (71)
Aged care residents Bob and Gloria thought they’d miss out on their grandson’s wedding, but care staff ensured they could witness the happy occasion. [Source: Supplied]

Brisbane grandparents Bob and Gloria Coit were unable to physically attend their grandson’s wedding last weekend but that didn’t stop them from missing out on the action.  

Staff at the Anglicare EM Tooth Residential Aged Care home went above and beyond to make sure the Coits felt a part of the celebrations, even though they couldn’t attend in person. 

The team organised a cinema-size live stream of the wedding and provided hair and make-up as well as a corsage and boutonniere to make sure Bob and Gloria could have the best experience and feel part of the occasion.  

Daughter Rosemary Allie said it was an “absolutely wonderful” event and was thrilled that her parents were able to be part of it virtually and thanked staff for allowing her family to “see a smile on mum’s face.”

Untitled design (70)
Bob and Gloria watching their grandson’s special day. [Source: Supplied]

“I just thought that the staff would provide my parents with an iPad to watch the wedding from their room, but they went above and beyond to ensure they felt special […] Mum cried a few times, I saw there were a few tears in the photos that the staff provided to us after the event.”

Anglicare Southern Queensland’s Chief Operating Officer for Aged & Community Services Nick Hansen said it was lovely that Bob and Gloria were able to be part of the action. 

“Weddings are very important events, and we didn’t want Bob and Gloria to miss out on the action, so we brought their grandson’s wedding to the home,” he said.

How have you gone above and beyond for your residents? Let us know in the comments!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  1. Our Grandson is being married in March. The unit where my Husband is are hoping we can live stream the wedding, I will be attending unfortunately Bob cannot.
    We also watched his Cousins funeral on a large screen.
    This is country Victoria.
    Maffra McDonald wing staff go above and beyound.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Old People’s Home For 4 Year Olds: Christmas special

Old People’s Home For 4 Year Olds is a UK-based reality show where a group of small children venture into a British aged care facility to spend time with the elderly residents. It’s heartwarming seeing the little ones and the residents bond and play – learning more about the other and getting out of their... Read More

“Unless somebody dies” you won’t get respite care, royal commission hears

The royal commission has been hearing this week about the struggles that carers face looking after their loved ones at home. Carers revealed they face social isolation, financial hardship, difficulty accessing respite care, and a lack of support in general. Yet some said it was still a role they were happy to perform. “What was... Read More

Why Being Conscious of Death and Dying Can Make Us Live Better

Imagine that you’re 70, you’re still living independently and you’ve lived a very healthy life. You have always tended to your garden, which you are proud of, and you’re conscious of the environment without being a “greenie”. And then you find out that when you pass, you’ll have to go into a coffin that was... Read More
Advertisement