Life’s a beach with home care help

Just like the singer of the famous song, Doug Darra “likes to be beside the seaside”. But it has taken him some time to get back to the beach.

The 89-year-old recently visited Bribie Island, his childhood family holiday destination, for the first time in more than 50 years.

Doug and his Carinity Home Care Lifestyle Carer Kerry Morgan took in the sights and smells of the island during a day trip.

Their day out included a trip to the beach and a visit to Bribie Island Seaside Museum.

“For Doug, a highlight of our trip was visiting the museum and seeing a special exhibit, which brought back many fond memories for him,” Kerry says.

“Doug’s eyes lit up when he saw the museum’s display on the history of the SS Koopa steam ship. When Doug was a boy, he caught the boat to Bribie for a holiday.”

The iconic boat, dubbed the “Queen of Moreton Bay”, used to ferry holidaymakers from Brisbane and Redcliffe to Bribie Island before a bridge between the island and the mainland was built in the 1960s.

Doug, who recently moved to Caboolture from Gympie, says he couldn’t visit Bribie Island and other places around the district without Kerry’s help.

Carinity Home Care Manager Robyn Jones says the home care service allows seniors to “live the life they love, in the home they’ve always loved”.

“We believe lives are for living and we take the ‘you can’ approach to ageing. Carinity Home Care assists with nursing, personal care, household chores, shopping and helping seniors to get out and about in the great outdoors,” Robyn says.

“We listen and understand the needs of our clients and take the time to match our clients with Lifestyle Carers, ensuring there is always a familiar face around – someone you can trust and you feel comfortable with.”

If you wish to continue living at home but require a little help, phone Carinity Home Care on 1300 109 109 or go to CarinityHomeCare.org.au.