When Ann McPherson wanted to be closer to family, Carinity, medical experts and an iconic Aussie service organisation went above and beyond - literally - to make it happen.
Ann lived in Tasmania for more than 20 years but longed to return to Queensland. Last week she relocated from Devonport to Bundaberg and is now living happily at the Carinity Kepnock Grove aged care community.
Ann's seamless move to the Wide Bay region included a four-hour direct plane flight on a Royal Flying Doctor Service aircraft, accompanied by a critical care nurse.
"People often think that the Royal Flying Doctor Service do emergencies only, but they also do non-medical transfers, such as this flight with Mum," Ann's daughter, Debbie Travers, explained.
"Because Mum has had a haemorrhage she couldn't fly commercially because those airlines have to fly at such a high altitude."
Debbie praised the "bed to bed service" provided by the medical service personnel in Devonport to Bundaberg, and Carinity Kepnock Grove staff.
"They picked up Mum from her nursing home bed, took her to the plane at the airport, they flew straight to Bundaberg, and Queensland Ambulance took her from the airport into her new home," Debbie said.
"The morning she left Tasmania it was three degrees and when she arrived in Bundaberg it was 33 degrees.
"When Mum arrived at Kepnock Grove, the staff had everything ready and they greeted her, the nurses knew that she was coming, and Mum went straight from the ambulance to her bedroom. Everyone was there to make her feel welcome."
Debbie also praised Kepnock Grove's new Residential Manager, Gabriel Moyo, and Customer Service Coordinator, Shantelle Wright, who helped facilitate Ann's move to the aged care community.
"After I first met with Gabriel, Mum had a place at Kepnock Grove within the week. Shantelle in the office deserves ten stars out of ten. Every time we went there, she knew our name and she would tell us how things were going," Debbie said.
"It's only been a couple of days and Mum really loves it here. She's more active, she gets out of her room and has her breakfast, lunch and dinner at the dining table.
"She didn't have any family down in Tasmania and just stayed in her room with limited visitors, which wasn't good for her. She's happy that she's here now; she's her old self again."
Ann's relocation to Carinity Kepnock Grove has allowed her granddaughter Simone Travers to visit more often.
"Speaking to her on the phone, the way that she was at the last nursing home compared to how she is here, she's more sprightly now. It means so much that she's happier, she's getting out of bed, and we get to spend some quality time with her," Simone said.
"I think that's really helping her to settle and feel secure. She's loving it here, which is beautiful to see."
The Travers family say they like Kepnock Grove so much that they are inspired to volunteer there and bring their small Papillon-Yorkshire Terrier dog, Benny, to visit the residents.
