One Care Home, Four Generations of Family: Meet The Women Connected By An Incredible Bond at Whiddon Easton Park
With a unique connection thread across four generations, this International Women’s Day one family showcases the incredible relationships that lie at the core of enriching care for older Australians.
27 February 2024
For 84-year-old Whiddon Easton Park resident, Mary Riordan, family is everything. Two generations of her family, including daughter Theresa Riordan (53) and granddaughters Kayleigh (23) and Carling Nicholson (18), are team members at her Southwest Sydney care home. It is this unique shared bond that breathes new meaning into the notion of relationship-based care.
The fourth generation of the family, Mary’s first and only great-granddaughter Sophia, is a regular and much welcomed visitor. Despite their over 82-year age gap, fifteen-month-old Sophia and Mary share a special relationship, grounded in time spent visiting with her mum, Kayleigh, a member of Whiddon’s customer service team.
It was Mary’s transition into residential aged care one year ago that served as a catalyst to enhancing the already close bond shared by the four generations of women. Having held an Assistant in Nursing (AIN) role at Whiddon Easton Park since 2006, Theresa’s first-hand understanding of the positive impact of Whiddon’s relationship-based care philosophy made the family’s decision easy.
“Knowing the level of quality care provided and how wonderful the team is here, is what really drove our family’s decision to turn to Whiddon for Mum's care,” said Theresa.
She continues, “It’s quite special that we get to see mum every day, and the bond that she has developed with her granddaughters and Sophia is something that we cherish as a family.”
In 2023, Theresa transitioned into the role of Leisure Officer at Whiddon, allowing her to deepen the special bond she held with many of the residents. Her responsibilities include ensuring Whiddon residents can participate in fulfilling creative ageing programs and activities – including her mum, Mary.
Carling, Theresa’s second daughter, was inspired by her mother’s work and a vivid memory of helping to care for her grandfather during childhood. She joined Whiddon only a month ago as an AIN and believes the role has not only brought her closer to family, but to a rewarding career in aged care.
“I am lucky to have an amazing bond with my family and it’s comforting to know we are all so close to my nan when she needs us. Even though l have only been at Whiddon a short time myself, it is a place l have been connected to through my family for some time now. For me the most rewarding part of now working in aged care, is being able to get to know each resident and deliver rich personalised care,” said Carling.
Whilst not in a direct care position, Kayleigh’s role as a part of Whiddon’s customer service team as a Client Liaison Officer is as equally as rewarding as that of her younger sister and mother. For Kayleigh, being able to support residents and clients in navigating care, often during difficult times, is what makes her work meaningful.
“It is rewarding to be the helping hand providing guidance and support to families when they need it most,” said Kayleigh.
She continues, “For our family, it’s very special to have everyone so close together and to be able to share in moments together. I bring in Sophia on my days off to visit her grandmother and great-grandmother, as well as her aunt. This has created such an incredible bond between us all.”
As for what International Women’s Day means to the family, all believe it is an important time to celebrate women’s empowerment and achievement. In sharing advice to future generations of women, including those in her own family, Mary hopes they will continue to stand up for themselves and support one another. Perhaps a hope already actualised in the tight-knit family and their work together at Whiddon.
Speaking to the impact of women in the aged care sector this International Women’s Day, Whiddon Deputy CEO, Alyson Jarrett said:
“By nature, women foster and nurture meaningful relationships, making it no coincidence that approximately 86 per cent of aged care employees are women. At Whiddon, we are continually amazed by the profound relationships within our community including across the four generations of the Riordan-Nicholson family.”
She continues, “On this IWD, we reflect on these meaningful relationships that are key to laying the foundations for relationship-based care. Through building trusting relationships which empower our residents and clients to express their true selves, we ensure that their needs and wishes are met and that there is a positive impact to their quality of life.”
About Whiddon
Whiddon is an award-winning not-for-profit aged care provider that has been providing care and support to older Australians for over 70 years. With a strong reputation for delivering high-quality care and support, Whiddon offers a range of services, including residential aged care, home care, and independent living.
With a strong commitment to innovation and continuous improvement, Whiddon is at the forefront of aged care, regularly introducing new programs and services to enhance the lives of their residents and clients. They are committed to ongoing research and collaboration with leading universities and research institutions to ensure their care is evidence-based and best practice.
Whiddon's approach to care is centred on the individual, with services tailored to meet the unique needs and preferences of each person. Their team of experienced and dedicated staff provide high-quality care and support and are committed to helping older Australians maintain their independence, dignity, and wellbeing.
