SARAH Nind considers her grandmother Nancy Elvery like another parent.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Mercy Health Bethlehem lifestyle assistant lived with her grandparents in her first few years of life and their bond has been strong ever since.
"I was an only child so I had my mother and grandparents like parents," Mrs Nind said. "They helped raise me. I was like another daughter to them."
When Mrs Elvery needed to move out of home, Mrs Nind encouraged her to come to Mercy Health where she worked.
It meant the two could see each other regularly - even during the coronavirus pandemic.
"It's lovely," Mrs Elvery said. "She comes here three times a week and then sometimes on the weekends. She's very kind to me. It's lovely to have her here."
Mrs Nind said she was grateful that she could maintain that bond.
"It makes it a lot easier," she said. "Now when I go to work, I also go to visit her. Things haven't changed a lot - she's still the same person like she was a long time ago.
"She won't make me anymore scones or Cornish pasties, which is a shame. But I can live with that. I feel very fortunate."
With World Grandparents Day being celebrated on Sunday, Mrs Nind encouraged families to keep in touch with their grandparents.
"The coronavirus has changed it all together," she said. "It can become very isolating and our grandparents can become quite withdrawn.
"It's very exciting when restrictions do ease and people are able to see family again.
"But stay in touch via the phone or zoom calls. Make them feel special. Even just a letter can put a smile on someone's face."
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content:
- Bookmark bendigoadvertiser.com.au
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter @BgoAddy
- Follow us on Instagram @bendigoadvertiser
- Join us on Facebook
- Follow us on Google News