Hargrave House Care Home has arranged a heart-warming reunion of one of its dementia residents with her long-lost family in Australia, thanks to the unwavering dedication of its compassionate staff.
After two years as a cherished resident at Hargrave House, staff members recently embarked on a mission to reconnect the resident, known as MN, with any surviving family. This journey began when Deputy Manager Devina Crane and her colleague Susan Rule retrieved MN’s belongings from her previous flat, discovering precious photographs and an old birthday card bearing an Australian stamp.
Driven by their discovery, Devina and Susan harnessed the power of social media to track down MN’s cousin in Australia. Their diligent efforts paid off, culminating in a joyful video call that brought Australia right into Hargrave House.
Both MN and her cousin were overjoyed to reconnect, as her cousin had spent years unsuccessfully searching for her. Hargrave House’s Home Manager, Shelley Sidhu, expressed immense pride in her team, stating: “My team have gone above and beyond to reconnect the family together, and I am immensely proud of their efforts.”
MN had been in the care system for four years without any known family to support her, which is why the staff felt compelled to make this extraordinary effort. “We were amazed at how easy this was to sort,” Shelley added.
Prior to informing MN about their discovery, the team confirmed various details with her cousins, ensuring a smooth and heartening revelation. Despite the challenges posed by MN’s dementia, the first video call was a resounding success. MN recognised her cousin and her husband, reminiscing about old times and filling the room with joy.
Shelley Sidhu concluded: “This remarkable reunion is a testament to the dedication and compassion of our staff, and it underscores the importance of never giving up hope. It’s moments like these that truly make our work so rewarding.”
Hargrave House is an original listed building in three acres dating back to the late 1700s, with a purpose-built addition that was acquired by AgeCare in the autumn of 2000. The care home has 58 ensuite bedrooms and is situated 10 minutes from junction 8 off the M11. It was refurbished and opened by AgeCare in January 2001.
