The perfect recipe

Goolwa resident Ralph has rediscovered his passion for cooking with the help of his local home care team. 

In 2013 Ralph had a stroke which turned his life upside down, leaving him with aphasia (difficulty finding the words to have a conversation), which made it very hard for him to socialise. 

Social connection and a sense of self worth are important to quality of life, and both Ralph and his wife Anne knew he needed some support.

So when Ralph took up a Home Care Package with Southern Cross Care, he first asked for support with social visits - going for a drive, having coffee and a chat - but conversation proved difficult.

After a lightbulb moment the couple asked their home care team if it was possible to change the focus to cooking, one of Ralph’s lifelong passions.

The team found the perfect match for Ralph with Deb, a support worker who has wonderful skills to work with him.

Ralph has since made over 100 recipes, with only one flop he says, laughing!

The cooking sessions have given Ralph a sense of achievement and self worth.

He enjoys the process of cooking with Deb and loves sharing his food with others, even taking food in to the Southern Cross Care office in Goolwa to the delight of staff.

Anne has benefited too, by having time to herself and by not having to cook once a week - or twice if there’s leftovers!

She does have to remember to stay out of the kitchen though, which she said is hard because she enjoys Deb’s company as well.

 “I've got to be careful not to hang around in the kitchen and to let them have their own fun,” Anne said. 

Southern Cross Care has also supported Ralph with another hobby; art.

Throughout his life Ralph has created detailed artworks, beginning with black and white pencil streetscapes - featuring one small spot of colour to draw the eye of the beholder.

After his stroke he took up diamond painting and then paint by numbers kits to get back to practicing his artistic skills, completing large, complex and colourful artworks.

He has now begun to paint extremely accurate landscapes and spends many hours a week in his shed painting away while playing whatever music matches his mood.

Art is another form of therapy for Ralph, so he was ecstatic when he found out Southern Cross Care could help to hang his artworks up around the walls of his shed as his own gallery space.

The small amount of help has created a space that improves Ralph’s quality of life.

“Art’s a big part of his life and mentally it’s very good for him,” Anne explained. 

Home Care services could make a difference in your life too, call Southern Cross Care on 1800 852 772 to speak to our friendly team.