Where care is family

Susan is the Clinical Care Coordinator at the John Atchison Centre (JAC), and this year her personal and professional worlds gently intertwined when her mother, Santi, became a resident.

At 77, Santi moved into JAC in May after a fall at home led to a hospital stay. Facing the challenges that come with change, Susan and her siblings agreed it was time for their mum to receive extra support, and for Susan, the decision of where was simple. “I know firsthand that the staff here are amazing,” she said. “They treat every resident like their own parents. It’s so homely here and everyone is so supportive.”

Since settling in, Santi has embraced her new routine with warmth and confidence. She’s gained greater independence, now managing her own appointments, socialising more, and joining in bus outings and lifestyle activities. She also continues to enjoy her favourite hobbies including gardening, watching Hindi channels and chatting on the phone, all while staying closely connected with her 13 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

For Susan, working in the same place where her mum lives has been both reassuring and rewarding. “Mum absolutely adores the staff and even knows more about them than I do,” she laughs.

“Here, Mum isn’t just a resident. She’s part of the family and I can see how much that means to her.”

Being close to her mum while continuing her career has deepened Susan’s connection to both her work and her family, reflecting the genuine care, compassion and strong sense of community that define life at the John Atchison Centre.

Photo: Santi and Susan sharing a warm moment.