Dot moves from respite to residential aged care

For Dorothy Bishop, respite care was the answer to her prayers. The 93-year-old former nurse had heard about BlueCare’s Pilgrim aged care home at Kallangur from a former colleague and wanted to give it a try.

Dorothy was immediately taken with the atmosphere and activities – ranging from singing to anagrams, bingo, cards and more.  “No, you couldn’t be miserable, you couldn’t,” she said. “And those activities – laugh, laugh, laugh!”

And while respite care is a short-term option for many people, Dorothy liked it so much she was thrilled when a long-term option became available. She is surrounded by photos of her beloved family, ranging from her seven children to her 34 great-grandchildren. “I wanted a great-great and nobody will have one!”

There is an endless stream of visitors, from BlueCare employees to friends, family and even the family dogs Rosie and Peanut.

“And it’s comfy here because of a night and a day, there’s always somebody walking through – you’re not lonely,” Dorothy says.

“It’s your home away from home.”