"It's the best bit of luck I've had": Eileen’s story

Sometimes the best decisions come from the people who know us best. 

For Eileen, the journey began when her son Craig noticed something taking shape as he drove home from work one day. 

"My son Craig was going home from work, drove past and saw this building going up and wondered what it was," she recalls. "He came and said, 'Mum, I think this is a nice place you can retire in.'" 

At the time, Eileen had been living in another residential aged care home and Craig knew she wasn’t happy. But after discovering and moving in to Summerset Cranbourne North, she found a new lease of life.  

“I've told him, you did the best thing for me." 

Making the move to Summerset Cranbourne North has brought a sense of comfort and reassurance, not only for her, but for her family as well. 

"They haven't got to worry about me at all now," she says. 

Knowing she is living in a welcoming, supportive environment has given everyone peace of mind. In fact, she considers finding Summerset one of the happiest strokes of fortune in her life. 

"It's the best bit of luck I've had." 

With support nearby, friendly neighbours around her and everything designed to make life easier, she feels confident and settled in her new surroundings. 

One of the things Eileen loves most about living at Summerset is that it truly feels like home. 

"It's just like being at home. It's a very nice atmosphere." 

Moving into a new community didn't mean leaving cherished memories behind. In fact, bringing familiar possessions and treasured keepsakes with her has helped create a space that feels uniquely hers. 

"It's nice to have things from home. Things I've had for years." 

Many of those items serve as daily reminders of special moments and people she holds close. 

"You might look up and look at something and it brings back memories of a while ago," she says. "Even my husband, I remember him taking photos, so it's nice to make it feel like yours." 

Surrounded by meaningful belongings and happy memories, she has been able to create a home that feels both comfortable and familiar from the moment she arrived. 

Life at Summerset Cranbourne North is about much more than comfortable surroundings. It's also about the friendships that develop along the way. 

"I've got a lot of friends here already. We make each others day better by having a chat and a laugh." 

The sense of connection within the community has become one of the highlights of village life. Known for her good sense of humour, she's often the one helping to brighten someone's day. 

"I'm always cracking jokes and going about messing things up so people laugh." 

Whether sharing a meal, enjoying conversation or catching up with neighbours, there is always an opportunity to connect. 

And when it comes to the meals, she certainly has no complaints. 

"We're well-fed, that's for sure," she laughs. 

Today, she feels settled, supported and surrounded by people who genuinely care. 

The combination of friendship, comfort and peace of mind has made Summerset Cranbourne North everything she and her family hoped it would be and more. 

For anyone considering a move themselves, her advice is simple. 

"If you're really looking for somewhere where you want to be happy and settled, come to Summerset. It's absolutely lovely." 

We know that the process of finding care for a loved one can be challenging.  We aim to make sure our residents have the right home and the right level of care for their needs and situation, now and in the future. We invite you to visit our residential aged care home, have a coffee in the cafe, and have a chat to the team – we would be happy to show you around.