Joy & Bruce
Joy and Bruce Crabtree moved into their new home in Forrest Hill in 1964 soon after they were married.
They always planned to move into a retirement village on the North Shore when they retired and even put their names down on the waiting lists at two villages on the North Shore in the 1990s when they were in their fifties.
However, when places became available, they were still working full-time and had also taken up cycling.
They cycled the 160kms Fun Ride Round Lake Taupo and completed annual cycling trips of 1000-1400kms throughout New Zealand, Australia (all on main roads) and further afield in England, Ireland and Europe.
Fast forward to July 2008, six weeks after returning from cycling 1,100kms around Northern Ireland, Bruce suffered a medical event, which resulted in ten days in intensive care in a medically-induced coma.
Due to his high levels of fitness, he defied expectations that he would not survive and by September had returned to his work as skipper on the Auckland and Waiheke ferries.
Joy says that was a “wake up call” and they began looking at retirement villages again – and did a lot more research.
Their key criteria was the village must have hospital-level aged residential care available. They wanted a top floor apartment, facing north for maximum sun and plenty of deck space. In addition, the lounge needed to be large enough to accommodate Joy’s 6ft grand piano. That was essential for professional pianist Joy , who was Dame Malvina Major’s accompanist for 20 years.
With family living in Epsom, (three grandchildren, all teenagers), and with their other interests on the city side and the Harbour Bridge traffic busier by the day, they decided to look for an apartment in a retirement village closer to family that might fit their criteria. This research took considerable time but was well worth the effort.
However, it was a flyer advertising two-bedroom McElroy Apartments for sale at Selwyn Heights Retirement Village (now Metlifecare Parkside Village) that fell out of the newspaper one morning in September 2008, that excited them.
It was only 10 minutes by car from their family, and just a 10 minute walk to daily Mass at their favourite Carmelite Chapel.
The village met all their requirements including having hospital-level aged residential care on site and the airport was much closer than the North Shore, for their overseas cycling trips.
“We came over and looked at the plans and quickly found our ‘dream’ apartment on the corner of the top floor, looking to One Tree Hill in the north for full sun, with two ranch sliders opening out onto a wrap-around deck, a bonus to cope with any wind,” says Joy.
“We put down a deposit. The sales’ manager was very welcoming and obliging and we were invited to a formal luncheon to meet current residents.
Bruce says the price for an Occupation Rights Agreement (ORA) for a spacious two-bedroom apartment with undercover carpark was a pleasant surprise.
“It would provide us with a tidy sum in the bank after we sell our home.”
Bruce and Joy carefully went through the ORA themselves before taking it to their lawyer who was satisfied they thoroughly understood all aspects of the agreement.
It took time for their house to sell, and they moved into the village in March 2009, shortly before flying to Australia for a month, riding their bikes from Sydney to Brisbane.
McElroy was the first apartment block in Parkside Village to be built for independent residents and Joy and Bruce were the first to buy and move in and watch the village expand over the 13 years they’ve lived here.
“Choosing to live here was the right decision for us at the right time. It allows us to be able to travel overseas for a month and all we have to do is lock up and leave. We know our apartment is safe and secure.”
Joy and Bruce are very surprised to hear there is criticism levelled at some villages.
“Why are some New Zealand retirement village residents critical and negative about living in a retirement village, when they choose to live in such a place?” says Joy.
“We talked for years about living in a retirement village. It always appealed to both of us, so we were excited when the time came, especially given Bruce’s full recovery.
“Bruce was 68 and I was 65. We both retired in December 2010 and then ran the Village Social Committee for seven years. As a professional accompanist, opera repetiteur, and orchestral keyboard player, I founded the village choir. I am now pianist for The Bacchus Piano Trio, which also performs at retirement villages.
“Parkside Village is the best place for us to live out the rest of our lives,” says Bruce.
“There are numerous activities for residents to choose from and one can be as busy as one wants. There are weekly bus trips for shopping at Royal Oak plus weekly trips further afield. Residents appreciate having bus stops located on both sides of the village.
“The calendar is full of entertainment of every kind in the Atrium, which looks out to the bowling green and chapel, used regularly for services. There are movies in the theatre, an extensive library and village shop, outdoor & indoor bowls, the ever-popular swimming pool and spa, the café, and the two gyms.
“Having a private gate in the village to access Monte Cecilia Park and Pah Homestead is a bonus for residents.
“We also have the best hairdresser who works in the village salon from Tuesday to Friday. There is a visiting podiatrist, ear clinician and physiotherapist available by appointment. Bruce and I really value belonging to the village Wellness Centre, as it means we can book appointments with our regular doctor who is on-site every Monday for two hours. We’ve both had emergencies and the response has been immediate and effective. If there isn’t a nurse or doctor available on site, our call goes straight through to Senior Care Health. We are most grateful for the care and attention we receive from our Wellness Centre medical team.”
Joy’s mother was in North Shore Hospital in 2010 when the couple were told she would need 24 hour care.
“Bruce suggested we ask if our care home might have a room for her. When we asked Mum if she’d like to live on the same piece of land as us, she smiled from ear to ear. She had a lovely room upstairs and was very happy because she was so well looked after by the very caring, compassionate and patient nursing team.
“We saw her every day and she enjoyed joining in all their activities and entertainment. We brought her down in her wheelchair to the Atrium for my concerts or to our apartment for many a family dinner, where she was the centre of attention.
“She was always the last resident to bed when we wheeled her back about 9pm. When the nurses heard the lift, they knew it was Phyl coming home and were waiting with big smiles as the lift opened. “Welcome home, Phyl.”
“My mother lived there for three years and died aged 93. She was a very happy lady, always thankful for the care she was given . We’ve always said we’d love Mum’s room if we’re in need of care.”
“We are very glad we chose to live here at Parkside Village. We have so much for which to be thankful every day. We love living in this Metlifecare community of friendly neighbours and staff and appreciate all Metlifecare offers us.”