40 years – that is how long Mary and Jean have been friends.

And now, the pair are neighbours, having both recently moved into AnglicareSA’s Dutton Mews Retirement Living Village.

Having your best friend live a five-minute walk away had its perks, Mary said.

“We’ve always done things together and got along,” Mary said.

In July last year, Mary’s husband, Keith, moved into AnglicareSA’s Dutton Court Residential Aged Care home after his dementia progressed and he required additional support.

As the friends spent time visiting him together, Jean’s husband Philip, who was also living with dementia, decided the home might be the right place for him too – moving in in several months later, in November.

 

Remarkably, the two men were allocated neighbouring rooms, making it easier for Mary and Jean to continue visiting their husbands side by side.

Wanting to remain close to them, the women applied for units at Dutton Mews, which is co-located with the residential aged care home, and both moved in in December last year.

Jean said the move had been incredibly convenient.

“I have never regretted it, because it is so convenient,” Jean said.

“We’re close to the aged care home, the shops, the library, the doctors, and each other.”

“We have always followed each other somehow throughout our lives,” Mary added.

Thinking about what Mary’s friendship had meant to her over the years, Jean became emotional.

“During my cancer treatment (Jean is now in remission), Mary and Keith came every day for hours,” Jean said.

“That is just priceless.”

 

Providing support through difficult times was also what came to mind for Mary when she reflected on her friendship with Jean.

“When I lost my first husband, I shut myself in my house and would not answer the phone or the door,” Mary said.

“Jean would come to my house to check in with me and I would not answer, but she kept coming back.

“On the third day, she brought a chair and a flask of tea and said she would sit outside my house until I opened the door.

“Jean is a good friend. She is just always there.”

Jean said her friendship with Mary was built on understanding.

“We have gone through a lot together, but we have never competed against each other or been jealous.

“We have always encouraged each other.”

At AnglicareSA, we are proud to create communities where friendships can flourish and people can continue to support one another through every stage of life. Click to find out more about our Retirement Living.