The Sky’s the Limit for Dorothy

Dorothy is enjoying life to the fullest. Prestige Inhome Care client Dorothy has created a Bucket List and with the support of her carer Melissa, the sky’s the limit! Dorothy, a NDIS client who lives with dementia, began compiling her bucket list as she approached her seventieth birthday, and she is certainly not letting anything stop her from ticking the boxes.

Incredibly, at the top of her list was skydiving. For her birthday, Dorothy’s family gifted her a skydiving experience and she wasted no time making the big leap.

“It was absolutely amazing up there! I want to do it again!” Dorothy said. “I was on a high for weeks.”

Dorothy has impressed her family and friends with her daring aspirations. “My friends have told me I should feel proud of myself. My grandchildren say ‘You are the most fun Nana’,” Dorothy laughs.

Dorothy has already ticked off several items on her bucket list including nightclubbing with her granddaughter, taking a cruise holiday and attending the Geelong Premiership Grand Final parade. Her next big bucket list item is zip-lining!

The bucket list has motivated Dorothy to live her life to the fullest. She’s done things she’s always wanted to including attending Moomba, the Melbourne Royal Show and tackling the flying fox.

Twice a month she meets with Prestige’s Melissa and they set off on day trips and new adventures. Melissa began supporting Dorothy in her quest to make more of each day, with their first trip to the Elvis Presley Memorial at the Melbourne General Cemetery. Fortnightly outings have included walks in the You Yangs, the Queenscliff-Sorrento ferry trip and lots of lunches at picturesque spots on the Bellarine Peninsula and Surf Coast.

Dorothy and her carer Melissa make a great team and Melissa is finding it rewarding herself, assisting Dorothy in staying active and engaged.

“It makes me feel good knowing she’s keeping her independence and still being able to take part in her family and community activities,” said Melissa.

“When I started working with my clients, I realised we have a limited amount of time to do things. We may live to 80 or 90, but as we age, we slow down and aren’t as physically or mentally capable as we were when we were young. It’s important not to let life pass you by.”

Up next for Dorothy will be a visit to the Werribee Zoo. Dorothy’s zest for life is extraordinary and an inspiration to others who are living with some challenges but determined to live a full life. We are looking forward to bringing you Part 2 of Dorothy’s bucket list later in the year.

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