Introduction

00:03 | Jason van Genderen (Interviewer):
Good morning.

00:05 | Vicky:
How are you? I'm Vicky.

00:07 | Megan van Genderen (Interviewer):
Hey, Vicky.

Tell us about your parents

00:15 | Jason van Genderen (Interviewer):
So, Vicky, thank you so much for making yourself available to have a chat and answer a couple of questions. I'd love to know a little bit about your parents.

00:22 | Vicky:
My mum and dad are just the most wonderful people. They were married at 18. The war intervened, and Dad was away for four years. It must have been harrowing for them, not knowing if he'd ever come back.

00:41 | Vicky:
Eventually, he did come back, six and a half stone soaking wet. He was so sick, but through Mum's nurturing and good cooking, he became well again.

I thank the Lord to this day that I've got him as my dad.

Their care needs and decision to move into care

00:56 | Jason van Genderen (Interviewer):
What care needs do your parents both have?

01:00 | Vicky:
Well, Mum is bedridden at the moment, but previously she used to say that if anyone gave her a walking stick, she wouldn't walk out of the house with it.

01:09 | Jason van Genderen (Interviewer):
They were very proud.

01:11 | Vicky:
Oh, very proud. Yes, very proud.

Dad doesn't really need any help whatsoever, apart from getting a little tired. Two years ago, he came to me and said, "I think it's about time we went into a home."

01:27 | Vicky:
You see, they were 97 then.

01:29 | Megan van Genderen (Interviewer):
Were they able to move in together at the same time?

01:32 | Vicky:
That was our main aim, to get them together.

01:38 | Jason van Genderen (Interviewer):
I guess this is unique because you and your parents really made that choice proactively to seek care.

01:45 | Vicky:
But Mum was obstinate.

01:47 | Jason van Genderen (Interviewer):
Oh, really?

01:48 | Vicky:
Oh, yes.

She said, "I am not leaving my home. I don't care what you do. I am not leaving. John can go, but I'm not."

01:56 | Jason van Genderen (Interviewer):
Okay.

01:57 | Vicky:
I had to sit down with Mum and say, "Look, there'll be people there for you to associate with. They'll take you on trips. I'm nearby, so whenever you feel like it, come to me."

Eventually, she came around.

Jason, the day we shut her front door, she never asked me about the house again. I'm quite surprised because that home was her castle.

They lived in that home for 76 years.

02:30 | Jason van Genderen (Interviewer):
Lots of memories.

02:31 | Vicky:
Beautiful memories.

Life at Rutherford Park Care Community

02:33 | Megan van Genderen (Interviewer):
Within Rutherford Park Care Community, can you describe the spaces that your mum and dad are able to move through and what it looks like?

02:39 | Vicky:
Certainly. It's quite big. In fact, it's enormous.

There's a lovely dining room where everyone joins together and has fun. The music is wonderful.

I love going there and having a dance. I get the oldies up and we all have a dance.

Mum and Dad walk around for their exercise. They can walk right around the grounds, and it's quite large. They go on outings by bus, and they have dress-up days.

There's plenty to do there.

How their care has changed

03:13 | Megan van Genderen (Interviewer):
Has your mum and dad's care changed over their time living at Rutherford Park?

03:18 | Vicky:
Oh, yes.

They're much more attentive to Mum now because she's bedridden. She's had several strokes since she's been there.

Dad slipped when he'd only been there a fortnight and broke his hip.

03:33 | Vicky:
Amazingly, he recovered in six weeks. He got over it and now walks as well as I do.

But Mum had a dreadful fall at Christmas, which was associated with a stroke.

Support for her dad

03:46 | Jason van Genderen (Interviewer):
How is the team helping support your dad through this stage of the journey with your mum?

03:51 | Vicky:
They never leave him.

Whenever I visit, I'd say five or six staff members will come in and ask, "How are you, John?" or "Would you like a cup of tea?"

It's ongoing.

The other day I said to Dad, "Come down and have a cup of coffee with me."

He said, "I'd love that, but Mum has to come too."

The nurses said, "That's all right."

So they brought Mum down on a special stretcher, and he was happy then.

I really think they go above and beyond their duty, Jason.

They love Mum and Dad. I'm only speaking from my own perspective and experience, but I'm sure they treat everyone else the same way they treat Mum and Dad.

04:35 | Megan van Genderen (Interviewer):
That's so beautiful.

A Remarkable Love Story

04:38 | Jason van Genderen (Interviewer):
So, your mum is 100, and your dad is about to turn 100 in July.

04:41 | Vicky:
In July.

04:43 | Jason van Genderen (Interviewer):
In July.

They're Australia's oldest living married couple. They've been featured on television shows, they've received a card from the King, and they've had all sorts of recognition.

04:53 | Vicky:
I was telling Megan that one Monday morning I received all these telephone calls.

People were saying, "Vicky, have you got the TV on?"

I said, "No, I haven't."

They replied, "Well, your mum's on national television, jiving with her hairdresser, dancing away to 'Blue Suede Shoes'."

05:08 | Jason van Genderen (Interviewer):
Obviously, there's a lot of love in your family. There's a lot of love between your parents.

05:11 | Vicky:
Absolutely.

05:12 | Jason van Genderen (Interviewer):
I think you're a beautiful example, a shining example, of what they've created.

Closing

05:16 | Jason van Genderen (Interviewer):
Thank you for sharing your story with us today.

05:19 | Vicky:
I just loved it. Thank you.

It's something very dear to my heart, Jason.

For many couples, moving into residential aged care together can provide comfort, familiarity and ongoing companionship during a major life transition. In The Love Story, Vicki shares how her parents, John and Daphne, moved into care together after living in their family home for 76 years, allowing them to remain close while receiving the support they need.

As care needs evolve, aged care teams can provide personalised support that helps couples stay connected while ensuring each person receives the appropriate level of care. In this episode, Opal HealthCare's team supports John as he navigates Daphne's changing care needs, helping the family adapt to new circumstances with compassion and understanding.
 

Yes. Quality residential aged care focuses on supporting both individual wellbeing and meaningful relationships. Couples can continue sharing time together while benefiting from personalised care, social opportunities and professional support that may not be available at home. Maintaining routines, connections and personal choice can help preserve both independence and quality of life.
 

Families often face emotional, practical and decision-making challenges when helping loved ones move into care. Common concerns include leaving a long-time family home, adjusting to a new environment, understanding changing health needs and ensuring both parents receive the right support. The episode highlights how these transitions can be made easier through ongoing communication, professional guidance and strong relationships with the care team.
 

Residential aged care can provide peace of mind by offering professional care, tailored support and a safe community environment. For families, knowing loved ones are receiving the care they need can reduce stress and uncertainty. For older couples, access to dedicated support allows them to focus on spending meaningful time together while their wellbeing needs are professionally managed.