Aged care provider Tall Trees Ocean View is home of nine couples in their seventies, eighties and nineties who are all happier than ever together at home and very much in love.

Couples such as Blue and Doreen Godbee are overjoyed with the delight of sharing another Valentine’s Day together.

Mr Godbee says he and Doreen married on April 2 in 1955 and lived in many places all over Australia before finally settling down in Banora Point.

“We met in ’53 at a wedding – that’s where the romance began and we got married two years later,” Mr Godbee says.

“I worked in the Airforce for 20 years which saw us move from Queensland to New South Wales to the Northern Territory to Victoria over time.

“After retirement we lived in Kingscliff for 28 years, then built a home in Banora Point where we lived for a while but in the end it became too much for us to handle.

“Along with our daughter we did the research and found Tall Trees best suited our requirements as a couple–because all care is provided in our own apartment, there’s no need to move around or be separated.

“We moved in almost two years ago and we’re so happy together here. We ride our double-scooter in and around town, as well as down to Kingscliff to touch base with old friends there.

“Doreen and I make a great team – she navigates and I drive, and it’s just really nice having those trips together.”

Recent newly-weds Alister and Lorna Arnott will be celebrating their first Valentine’s Day this year as husband and wife after getting married on 11 November last year.

“We met nine years ago and have been together all that time, but thought it was a good time last year to get married,” Mr Arnott says.

“We both looked after each other during sickness, but when I had four operations in the one year in 2007 was when we decided to make the move in here.

“Although she was in great health at the time we were still able to be together as well as have assistance if we needed it.

“We love having guests over to entertain and go down to the local bowls club regularly for a game.”

Tall Trees style of supported living provides the ability for senior couples to stay together in the later years of life even if they have different care requirements.

With Tall Trees neighbourhoods in Tanah Merah, Rochedale, Caboolture, Redland Bay and Ocean View, many seniors are able to remain living with their loved ones and share Valentines Day together year after year.

http://www.australianageingagenda.com.au/2012/02/14/article/Love-is-in-the-air/QHKSOEWQHN.html

Aged care provider Tall Trees Redland Bay has established a feature-packed men’s shed on the neighbourhood’s grounds, filled it with tools, and is ready to open it up for the public to use.

Over 20 men from the local community and Tall Trees wandered through the gates on Thursday 9 February for the first meeting where they signed up and had a look at their shed for the first time.

Men’s sheds are established as places for men to congregate, with the convenience of having all of the facilities of a workshop without requiring the same outlay of cash.

They have been identified as important instruments in the battle against depression and isolation amongst older Australian men, providing a comfortable and familiar environment in which to socialise.

Tall Trees Redland Bay’s networking coordinator Hannah Reed says they are glad to be able to provide a facility that will bring enjoyment to many.

“A major part of the Tall Trees ethos is about being active within the community and providing assistance to seniors broadly—not just those within our neighborhoods,” Ms Reed says.

“Men’s sheds are really gaining prominence as vital locations in our community, and are starting to earn a status that’s nearly akin to going to the pub or going to watch a game of sport.

“Due to our central location to a number of suburbs, we found men were coming from all over to sign up to use the shed.”

While Tall Trees established the men’s shed, the initial drive for members is being looked after by the Redlands Seniors Network.

The men’s shed committee will, however, consist of one Tall Trees staff member who will be able to offer further assistance to those running the facility while ensuring that it benefits both the public and residents.

President of RDCOTA Tony Christinson has been involved in the setup of other men’s sheds. He says the new facility will be a very welcome addition to the area.

“Typically, these kinds of sheds are established by groups of men who identify a need, then look for a venue that will be suitable—in this case, with Tall Trees offering their facility up, it’s almost the other way around,” Mr Christinson says.

“Tall Trees have set up a really fantastic shed on their grounds, and there has already been an excellent uptake from the local community in our first meeting.”

The men’s shed at Tall Trees already has many of the tools you’d expect to see in the garage of someone who’s been a handyman for most of their life.

For more information, contact RDCOTA on (07) 3488 0680.

http://www.baysidebulletin.com.au/news/local/news/general/shed-a-place-just-for-blokes/2437718.aspx

http://www.agedcareguide.com.au/news.asp?newsid=6991

Widowed in 1995, Mr Harrison set himself the task of meeting new friends when he first arrived at the centre from Western Australia.

"You've got to have a partner," Mr Harrison said. "Preferably, it's a lady."

With around 54 women and six men at the morning tea shortly after his arrival, the odds were in his favour.

"Madge is the type of person who really likes to be with people and I'm proud to be in her company. I hope this goes on for the rest of our lives."

Despite qualifying as one of Queensland's most romantic stories of the year, Mrs Buchanan and Mr Harrison aren't planning anything special for Valentine's Day.

This article appeared in the Courier Mail on 13 February 2012.

http://www.couriermail.com.au/ipad/never-too-late-for-romance-to-blossom/story-fn6ck45n-1226269121086

This story appeared on the Today Show on 14 February 2012.

http://today.ninemsn.com.au/?videoid=7a1c26bb-a34c-4a65-9bf5-748a644a9d6f