If you need emergency services, please contact 000
Are you feeling burnt out? Consider aged care respite.
Looking for a rewarding career in aged care and ready to start now?
View our current retirement living homes for sale.
Search
Contact Us
Close
Services to keep you independent
Government-funded support
One on one care and support
Support to help you stay at home
Allied health support services
Everyone deserves a break
Government or privately funded
Connect with others
Help to access support services
Personalised care and support
14 locations across Victoria
Principles of Montessori
Tailored to individual interests
Helping everyone adjust
If you care for someone, we’re here
Maintain your quality of life
Here for people of all ages
Take a break and have some fun
All your questions answered
Independent living for over 55s
Our latest properties available
Inner Melbourne communities
Camberwell
Deepdene
Kew
Hawthorn
Toorak
Suburban communities
Clayton
Kyneton
Trentham
Eltham
Bacchus Marsh
Pakenham
Balwyn
Brunswick West
Greensborough
Torquay
Everyone deserves a home
services for 18+
Great places to call home
Reach your developmental goals
Pathways to paid employment
Small group programs
Stay independent at home
Get the best out of your NDIS plan
support for 13-18 year olds
Reach developmental goals
Fun programs for your teenagers
NDIS planning
programs for 0-12 year olds
Support for developmental delays
Fun programs for your kids
A school where your child can shine
About St Paul’s College
Prepare your child for school
View our for school policies
Commited to the safety of your child
Menu
Back
Enter your search term below
6 September 2018
You’d be hard pressed to find a more resilient couple than Gay and Ken Fleming.
Married for 46 years, the pair has endured more than their fair share of heartache.
Losing both their adults sons just two years apart left them devastated, and then shortly after, Ken was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease at just 65.
“It was really stressful for us because at that time we’d lost our boys…We really weren’t in a good place,” Gay said.
Ken said he found the diagnosis and having to give up driving “hard to cope with”.
September is Dementia Awareness Month, aimed to increase the understanding of what dementia is, what it is like to live with, and how we can better support those affected by it.
A vital support for the Mooroopna couple has been Kialla House in Shepparton. Run by non-profit organisation Villa Maria Catholic Homes, the program offers day and overnight respite for carers who need a break. It also gives their loved ones the opportunity to socialise, go on community outings, and pursue their own hobbies.
Colouring in is a passion Ken regularly pursues at Kialla, along with outings to the RSL for Senior Melodies.
“Coming to Kialla House gives me something to look forward to each week. I have Alzheimer’s, but I remember everything I do at Kialla House.”
For Gay, Ken’s time at Kialla gives her a chance to exercise, catch up with friends and continue her volunteer work.
“Whenever we need to talk to someone there’s always someone available for us,” she said.
Despite their adversity, the couple remains positive and love to share some laughs.
“I asked Gay ‘what if I forgot your name?’ And she said she wouldn’t mind that!” Ken said.
“One of the reasons we’ve been married for so long is I think because us men early in the piece think we know everything but as the years go by I’ve realised the woman is mostly always right.
“We’ve got good communication and we always help each other with everything.”
If you would like more information on Kialla House, please call 1300 971 720.
More news articles in At-Home Aged Care
Locating the information you need has become far easier with our useful guide. Answer a few simple questions and you will be on your way.
Not sure where to start?
Contact us
→
Who needs our services?
Our Digital & Marketing Agency - ID Digital Agency
Locating the information you need has become far easier with our useful guide.
Answer a few simple questions and you will be on your way.