Otaki will always have a place in the heart of former resident Frank Williamson, but he says leaving his much loved town of Otaki to retire at Enliven’s Reevedon Home in Levin was the obvious choice.
For 30 years Frank helped Otaki commuters get from A to B as the owner of bus company Thompsons Passenger Service.
“I was about 40 years old when I took the company over and there weren’t many other bus companies around at the time,” says Frank.
“I ran it for many years, as well as a mechanics, and they were both quite successful.”
Frank says owning the bus service allowed him to meet a lot of people, many of which recognise him in the street.
“People still recognise me and say that they remember me driving them to school!”
Today, Frank is a much-loved resident at Enliven’s Reevedon Home, after making the move earlier this year.
He says moving from Otaki to spend his retirement in Levin suited him just fine.
“I needed extra care and this was the only place that appealed to me,” Frank explains.
“It’s not far from Otaki at all, and when I walked through the front door it just felt like home. I think it’s the staff and the warmth of the place – it just clicked for me, and the staff are terrific here.”
Enliven, part of the not-for-profit organisation Presbyterian Support Central, offers a full range of positive ageing services across Kapiti and Horowhenua.
Joanna Thomson is the manager of Levin Home for War Veterans and Reevedon Home and Village. She says Enliven services, including the vibrant rest homes, hospitals and dementia care, boutique retirement villages, practical in-home support and day activity programmes are truly elder-centred.
“At Enliven we embrace an elder-directed philosophy of care called the Eden Alternative which means as well as high quality clinical care, we focus on empowering and supporting people to have meaning, purpose, companionship and activity in their lives,” says Joanna.
To find out more about Reevedon Home call the home direct on 06 368 7900 or email reevedon@psc.org.nz. For information about other Enliven services call call 0800 36 54 83 or visit www.enlivencentral.org.nz.
