May's Story

Last Year was the Toughest Year Ever.

May (76) has been a HomeLink member for eleven months.
This is her story.

I’d say it all started when my husband died last year. Most of my friends weren’t around any more. It seemed like everything that could go wrong was going wrong, and that made me feel very alone. It had felt like I was going to a funeral every week for a long time, but after my husband died I was going home to an empty house and nobody to talk to. That made everything so much worse. It was like I was lost in my own home.

I am so proud of my son and daughter, but they both live abroad now with their families. They’re always so busy with this and that, and I might only hear from them once or twice a month.

Around a year ago, I fell off a chair one morning when I was trying to clean the windows. I ended up with a broken hand, although everyone told me I was very lucky that the injury wasn’t worse. After that, I was nervous about doing jobs around the house or going out, in case I fell again. I just didn’t feel like myself at all, which was a terrifying feeling. My confidence was gone.

When I first read the HomeLink flyer, I wasn’t sure about calling – I didn’t know what to expect. But there was one day I was feeling very down, and that drove me to pick up the phone the next morning.

The woman who answered was as friendly as could be. That was a huge relief. She listened to my story, and it was a big help to just get it off my chest and talk to somebody about everything I was feeling.

Since then, I get two calls a week from HomeLink, and it means so much to have someone to chat to. It’s like I’m talking with friends – people I get to know, and they get to know me. If I have a problem when they call on a Tuesday, they’ll always make sure to ask about it on Friday and even help me out if they can. If I have an appointment with my doctor or there’s something going on in the town over the weekend, they’ll always remind me what’s happening or where I need to be.

When my daughter and her family were home a few months ago, we spent a few days down the country. I completely forgot to cancel my weekly calls before I left. When HomeLink couldn’t get in touch, they contacted my neighbours and family to make sure I was OK.

It’s moments like that - when they go the extra mile - that truly make me feel loved and cared for. It has also helped build my confidence up again. I now try and get out for a walk every day - when it’s not raining anyway!

There are still times when I feel afraid, and really miss my husband and my friends. But I can always look forward to that call from HomeLink. Even if it only lasts a few minutes, I’m always happier after the call.

Everything is better now. I know that I have something to get out of bed for.