From Milk Bar to Aged Care: Alex and Mauro's Unbreakable Bond Transcends Time

Making friends and spending time with family outside of aged care homes is important, but so is having friends within the home. Whether you've been friends for a long time, are partners, or just met, having good company becomes even more valuable as you get older, demonstrated by two Bupa Aged Care residents.

Having close friendships is not only about having someone to talk to; it also helps keep your mind sharp and supports your overall physical health. That's why it's essential to create a sense of community, with group activities and outings bringing people together.

Some lucky residents already have friends when they move into their new home.

For International Friendship Day this year, Bupa Aged Care celebrated meaningful relationships, like the beautiful friendship between Alessandro (Alex) Centofanti and Mauro Patricelli. Their friendship started long before they moved to Bupa South Morang.

They can't even remember when they first met—it was that long ago. Alex moved to Australia in 1956, but a work accident caused deafness and partial blindness, leading him to change careers. His family started a small business for him, the Milk Bar in Thomastown, where he worked until moving to Bupa South Morang.

Mauro moved from Italy to Australia in 1969 and met Alex through mutual friends and family in the Italian community. They became instant friends, and over the years, they even got married in the same year, and their wives became close friends.

Later in life, after Alex's wife passed away, he moved to Bupa South Morang. When Mauro's wife passed in 2021, his family knew he needed extra support, and because of their many years of friendship, Mauro chose to live in Bupa South Morang as well.

Despite a ten-year age difference, Mauro wanted to be close to Alex, so he requested a room near his friend.

Now, Alex and Mauro have their own traditions. Every year, they plant tomatoes in the aged care home gardens and make delicious tomato sauce together. Despite Alex's hearing problems, they share stories and enjoy Italian music together.

They share meals and coffee times throughout the day and say they're happy living at Bupa South Morang.

After spending two years at the South Morang aged care home, their friendship is as strong as their Italian heritage. Mauro believes the key to a strong friendship is being there for your friend, talking every day, and simply being happy together.

Find out more about Bupa Aged Care