Sometimes, life throws an unexpected challenge that changes everything. For Ken and Barbara, that moment came just nine days after moving into Woolooware Shores. 

Having worked in aged care for 27 years, Barbara was initially reluctant about the idea of moving into any kind of retirement living. 

“The thought of living in aged care was something that made me realise that I was old or getting older,” says Barbara. 

“It was a hard decision for me to make.” 

For 56 years, the couple lived in southern Sydney, where they raised their four children. With their 60th wedding anniversary approaching, and the children all grown up with families of their own, Barbara and Ken felt ready for the next stage of their lives. 

“We decided that the time had come for us to really downsize, because the house was too big and we needed to look forward to what we needed in our own lives at this time as we age,” says Barbara.  

They explored various options, including buying a villa, but nothing felt quite right. When they discovered Woolooware Shores, it ticked all their boxes. Despite Barbara’s initial hesitation about retirement living, they decided it was the perfect place for the next stage of their life. 

Then, just nine days after moving in, Ken suffered a stroke in the middle of the night. Barbara had to use the vital call button, which is installed in their home—a device she had never used before.  

“It was a brilliant thing. The lady on the other end just said, ‘leave the line open, I’ll call the ambulance and don’t worry about anything’,” she says.  

Before the ambulance even arrived, the staff members on duty also rushed to their door, offering immediate support. 

“I felt very supported, actually having them there. I felt secure knowing that there was somebody around because I wasn’t able to contact my own family, and knowing that there was somebody there was very helpful,” Barbara says.  

That night not only reassured Barbara but also completely changed her perspective on retirement living. 

“After the event, I really thought about how important it was for us to have been here, because the retirement environment that I was pushing against really came into play, and I realised how important it was for us to have that support,” she says. 

With her fears put to rest, Ken and Barbara have since embraced life at Woolooware Shores. They’ve found themselves immersed in a warm, welcoming community where neighbours stop for friendly chats and new friendships form effortlessly. 

“Everyone says hello to you, and there's lots to do. It doesn't matter where you go, there's someone that's there to talk to you and communicate and have different ideas,” says Ken. 

“We're all in the same boat, so we all enjoy it very much.”  

Another benefit of living at Woolooware Shores has been how effortlessly they can host their children and grandchildren. With three of their four children living within half an hour, family visits are easy, and their new home has become a central gathering place for special occasions.  

Even their son, who lives overseas, has been able to enjoy their new home. Their spacious two bedroom apartment means he can comfortably stay with Ken and Barbara when he returns to Australia. 

“One of our sons lives in Hong Kong, and he's been here three times now since we moved in. He quite enjoys the environment. He speaks to everybody, and he's coming back [soon] with his wife to stay with us,” says Barbara. 

For the couple, the decision to move was a significant and emotional transition—but one that has proven to be among the best decisions they’ve ever made. They have found their new home is just as much a family hub as their old one—only now, with far less maintenance and much more ease.