My dad, Wesley "David" Unwin, was a resident at Bupa Aged Care Bexley for the last 18 months of his life, and it very quickly became a place he truly called home. In later life, Dad lived with significant pain and physical decline, but his mind remained sound. From the beginning, all the staff (RNs, personal care workers, cleaners, catering staff etc, etc) at Bupa Bexley recognised and respected dad as a person. They were warm, gentle, caring and kind, and they genuinely appreciated Dad for himself. They made him feel seen and heard, and that mattered enormously to him – and to us. The home itself is vibrant, colourful and cheerful, with a strong sense of life and community. Dad loved the activities and events – the concerts, entertainment, outings in his wheelchair, and the constant interactions with staff and other residents. He also really appreciated the visits from the school students to the home. There was always fun, laughter, smiles, music, dancing and singing. Staff were responsive to Dad’s needs, respectful, and curious about his life and experiences. One thing Dad especially valued was being listened to. He appreciated being able to give feedback, have conversations with the chef and with leadership, and knowing that his views were genuinely considered and, where possible, acted on. That sense of having a voice made a real difference to his quality of life. Dad also loved the physical spaces at Bupa Bexley. The garden area was a favourite – carefully maintained, vibrant and a lovely place to sit. The lounge room was another place he liked, with its beautiful décor and soothing colours. The care taken with these spaces really showed. Respecting dad as a person was also reflected in the care taken with his meals including food shaping. The staff went out of their way to help Dad make his room feel like home. They laminated many, many A4-sized photos of family, friends and memorable events, which covered his wall from ceiling to waist height. Nothing was too much trouble. Dad loved being able to talk about those photos with staff and visitors, and the staff engaged with those stories with real interest and warmth. Communication with me as his daughter was excellent. I received regular updates, and whenever anything changed with Dad’s health, I would receive phone calls – sometimes several in a row – to keep me fully informed. The staff advocated strongly for Dad and escalated concerns when needed, which gave me great confidence in his care. Visits were always met with big smiles, and whenever Dad returned from hospital stays, the staff made it clear they were genuinely glad to have him “home”. Taking Dad out was also made incredibly easy. Staff would have him ready when I arrived, organise taxis if needed, and support trips to the local café. This made it possible for Sunday afternoon coffee outings to become a regular and cherished routine, rather than something difficult to manage. When Dad died, my husband and I returned to collect his belongings. Once again, the staff handled this with such care, respect and warmth. The process was gentle and thoughtful, and it was clear how much Dad had been known and valued. We are deeply grateful for the care Dad received at Bupa Bexley and for the joy he experienced living there. He felt seen, heard and valued – and that is a priceless gift. Thank you, sincerely, to the entire team. Deborah
