Lyn was diagnosed in 2018 with Alzheimer's disease, the leading cause of dementia, a condition she and her husband David managed together until everything changed on Christmas Eve 2024, when David—still an avid body surfer at 82—passed away in hospital after a surfing accident at Flynns Beach. David was not only Lyn’s life partner but the love of her life.
“Mum was shocked and grieving. She was just lost,” her daughter, Kath recalls, "We all were".
In the following months, it became clear to Lyn’s three children—Kath, Jen, and Lachlan— that David had been doing more for Lyn than they had known. The family (including partners and grandchildren) rallied around her, setting up a rotating roster of live-in support and extra home care.
“We were a good little crew,” says Kath, 'and did this for about six months to help Mum adjust and to see what support she might need long-term.”
As it turned out, Lyn needed more than just practical help—she needed companionship, routine, and peace of mind.
Lyn did not want to relocate to live with her children. She wanted to remain in Port Macquarie where she was surrounded by a wide circle of close friends and the familiar community she loves.
Lyn and David came to the area in the early 80s. David served as principal of Port Macquarie High School (Hastings Secondary College) and Lyn spent the final decade of her career teaching languages, including French, at MacKillop Senior College.
A member of the local Uniting Church, Lyn’s strong Christian faith also inspired her community service; she used to volunteer as a Lifeline counsellor; and established a charitable foundation to support an orphanage in Kampot, Cambodia.
By chance, a friend mentioned Emmaus Village to Kath who, after some preliminary research of her own, quietly made an appointment to find out more.
“We didn’t want to freak Mum out,” she says.“we were just thinking ahead.”
“On the day of the appointment Mum was due to go to Dementia Australia’s Memory Café but unbeknownst to me the date of the café had been changed, which meant I had to tell her about it.”
To Kath's surprise, when she did, Lyn was relieved.
“Mum said, ‘Thank goodness you’re doing some planning. I didn’t know what was going to happen'."
A turning point, Kath went to the appointment knowing she had her mother’s blessing.
On Wednesday, while Kath was at the appointment, a friend of Lyn’s coincidentally rang to invite her for coffee at the Breaking Bread Café at Emmaus Village on Friday. Curious, Lyn asked Kath to go for a drive to see the village prior to this catch up.
Clare Wallace, Dementia Support Consultant at Emmaus Village, who had last minute cancellation was also able to meet Lyn and Kath at home on Thursday.
“By the weekend Mum had made up her mind. It was my sister’s birthday, when she announced to us, ‘I think I’ve found the place I’m going to live’,” says Kath, amazed at the circumstances which led to Lyn’s decision.
After church on Sunday, Lyn and her family were back at the café and bumped into Ann Martin—a fellow Uniting Church member and friend—who had moved in just six weeks earlier. Ann and her family invited them to see her room, which they did.
“There are always bumps in the road,” says Kath, “but from the word go, it was Mum’s decision to move to Emmaus Village, which she did on 5 June.”
“Mum's move went so smoothly. She is settling well and says, 'everyone is so kind'.
Cath Robinson, the Activities and Events Coordinator says, when people, like Lyn, come to Emmaus Village, the aim is to help them blossom into the best person they can be at this time in their life.
“Part of our job is to help residents flourish,” says Cath. “A person’s past makes them who they are, but if you have dementia and you’re losing confidence, it’s powerful to have someone say: ‘Where you are is OK. You are loved for who you are, and we still see the potential in you.’”
“Lyn, for example, had all these things she was part of before coming to Emmaus Village – she, particularly enjoys dance and language – our aim is to help her maintain those connections and to find new ones if that’s what she wants,” says Cath.
A passionate Francophile, Lyn’s love of the French language and culture has been embraced at Emmaus Village. Not long after she moved in, Lyn hosted a special get together for other residents to celebrate Bastille Day (14 July).
“She was a bit worried about how it would go,” Kath laughs, “but staff member, Diego, made it happen in a really lovely way. He scaffolded the whole thing and led it with her.”
Since moving to Emmaus Village Lyn has continued her long-standing involvement with the U3A International Folk Dancing group. Each week she gets a lift to and from with fellow dancers, Glenys and Beryl. The group recently went to Emmaus Village and did a demonstration for residents, which was a big hit.
“Full credit to the staff,” says Kath, “including the onsite pharmacist and the doctor from the onsite GP clinic. From end to end, we couldn’t have asked for more.”
“Mum’s transition to Emmaus Village now is a choice for the future. It means she won’t have to move again. There is a period of adjustment to group living, but that is to be expected.”
“Staff are seriously amazing and intuitively helpful; the environment is so lovely and spacious with lots of sitting areas; and welcoming of family and visiting ‘granddogs’ as well!” concludes Kath.
Emmaus Village offered Lyn the perfect balance: a dementia-specific, purpose-built environment right on her doorstep in the community she loves.
For more information visit emmausvillage.org.au