Care, connection, and cake – happy 90th, Dorothy!

When Dorothy’s son John gave up his job in early 2020 to care for his mother full-time, he didn’t expect it to become one of the most demanding chapters of his life. But when Dorothy was hospitalised with a fractured back – and later suffered a stroke that led to a diagnosis of severe dementia – the reality of caring alone became clear. 

“Caring for a loved one full-time is rewarding; however, it’s also tiring,” John recalls. 

It was hospital staff who first pointed the family toward home care support. Dorothy began receiving around 10 hours of weekly respite care through Dovida’s Mid North Coast team – and for John, the difference was profound. 

“To have Dovida come on board was a godsend,” he says. “It enabled me to start playing competitive tennis and get some much-needed rest and recovery.” 

Over nearly three years, Dorothy built close relationships with her care team. The caregivers who supported her were, as John describes them, “professional, supportive, and reliable” – and the connection went well beyond the practical.  

Dovida’s local coordinator Claudia was a constant presence too, helping John navigate his mother’s care package and field the many questions that come with managing complex needs at home. 

“It really takes a combined team effort to make this care process work effectively,” John says. 

In March, that team came together to celebrate Dorothy in the most fitting way possible – at her 90th birthday party at the Forster Golf Club. Surrounded by family and friends and joined by the caregivers who had walked alongside her, Dorothy marked the occasion in style. 

It was a day full of warmth, laughter, and reflection – a chance to honour a remarkable woman and the community that rallied around her. 

On behalf of the entire Dovida Mid North Coast team – thank you, Dorothy. It was a privilege to share this special occasion with you.