Volunteer Spotlight, Kim Love and the Eloura garden makeover 🪻

Kim Love, an exceptional member of our Quirindi Care Services Community has been volunteering with Eloura since her mum became a resident in early 2021. Kim is the first to put her hand up to help and has even joined the new QCS Consumer Advisory Body, improving the quality of care at Eloura✨ 
 
However, what has truly brought Kim joy has been her involvement in cultivating Eloura’s wonderful outdoor areas, and she is particularly proud of the new gardens that have been created 👩🏼‍🌾🌿 
 
“When I see more residents now visiting the garden it gives me a great deal of pleasure and satisfaction, “ Kim said.

Kim was assisted by some residents at Eloura who were very keen to get involved and help out. They helped to spread the compost to improve the poor soil in readiness for planting and once the garden was planted, took great joy in helping to weed and water.

”The goal for the garden was to create a space that was enjoyable to spend time in. I chose plants that were hardy and suitable to the conditions of the garden, plants that were colourful and would attract the small birds, bees, and butterflies.

”I wanted the residents to be able to potter in the garden if they wished, could cut flowers for their rooms and enjoy the scents of the different blooms. 

Resident, Jim, helping prepare the soil in preparation for the new gardens at Eloura 🌿🐝

“I would like to try to incorporate some more scented plants in the garden, something that can evoke memories,” Kim said.
 
Please explain what Eloura and Quirindi Care Services means to you?  
QCS, and Eloura provide my mum with a safe and secure place to live while battling her dementia. I know that she is cared for by people who can provide the care she needs at this stage of her diagnosis, which allows me the freedom to again just be her daughter. 

How long have you been volunteering with Eloura?  
I have been volunteering at Eloura since Mum became a resident in early, 2021. 

What was the driving force behind you wanting to volunteer with Eloura?  
While researching more about Mum‘s diagnosis, I learned how vitally important fresh air and sunshine is to the well-being of dementia patients. This became a driving force behind focusing my volunteering efforts on the outdoor areas. I am very proud of the new garden that has been created on level 3 and I am constantly thinking of little ways we can improve the garden to make it more inviting.  When I see more residents now visiting the garden it gives me a great deal of pleasure and satisfaction. 

What role do you believe QCS plays in the community?  
QCS provides an essential service to our elderly, allowing them to access the care they need while being able to stay local and be close to their family and loved ones. 

Please share a little bit about yourself for our community... 
I have now retired after working as a paralegal and office manager for a local legal firm for over 32 years. I have three children and three grandchildren who are a great joy to me. I enjoy keeping fit, reading, restoring furniture, dancing and gardening.  I  also love chocolate and a good cup of coffee. 

Please share a little about how your role on the Consumer Advisory Body with QCS... 
I chose to join the Consumer Advisory Body so that I could have some input into ensuring the quality of care and lifestyle for the residents continues to improve. It can sometimes easily be overlooked in the day-to-day running of age care facilities that it is the home for the residents.