From Aged Care to Independence: Dayle’s Move to SDA 

For years, life for Dayle felt limited by circumstance. Living in aged care wasn’t the right fit for someone in her fifties who still had so much to enjoy in life. That changed when she moved into an SDA home in Cranbourne — a place she now proudly calls her own. 

“I lived at Willow Wood Aged Care,” she explains. “But moving here has made me really happy. I love all the girls that help take care of me.” 

Dayle’s journey to her new home was a family effort. Her sister and partner helped her find the right fit, and the whole family pitched in to make the move possible. The result? A space that gives her the autonomy and comfort she’s longed for. 

Regaining Independence, One Meal at a Time 

Life in her SDA home has brought back the kind of independence many of us take for granted. Dayle now chooses what she eats, when she eats it — and even gets to cook. 

“I can choose what foods are included in my grocery shopping, and what I want for my meals. I can even have a sleep-in and watch TV in bed if I want to.” 

For Dayle, this sense of control is transformative. “It’s the little things, like asking for breakfast in bed — and actually getting it — that make me feel like myself again.” 

Staying Connected to What Matters 

Dayle grew up in Frankston with her sister and two brothers, in a sporty household where weekends were filled with football, tennis and the support of a very hands-on dad. “He coached lots of footy teams,” she recalls fondly. “My sister and I played tennis. My brothers played footy. I don’t play anymore, but my sister still does.” 

These days, her hobbies are more low-key, but no less fulfilling. She loves old movies and TV shows, colouring in, doing her nails with the help of her support workers, and getting her hair done — though she admits she can be a bit fussy. “I like it a certain way,” she laughs. 

Her team, including her Community Participation worker Arman, often take her out for lunch. “That’s one of the best parts of my week,” she says. 

A Home in the Heart of Cranbourne 

Living in Cranbourne has been a full-circle moment for Dayle. “It reminds me of when I worked as a courier delivering x-rays,” she says. “It’s changed a lot since then — lots more houses now.” 

Despite the growth, she loves the semi-rural feel of her neighbourhood. Her home backs onto a paddock with cows, and she enjoys seeing them during walks. “And there are lots of great places to eat out too.” 

Advice for Others Starting Their SDA Journey 

Dayle’s message for others considering SDA is clear: “Go for it. The homes are really new and nice, and it makes it easier to get around. Your family can visit, and that makes you happy.” 

It’s the kind of life that brings the freedom to be yourself, supported in just the right ways. 

“Moving here has given me my life back,” she says simply. “I feel free again.”