They say it takes a village to raise a child, but Clement Strain’s family now knows that a village is also needed to care for people in their twilight years.
Key points:
- Clement Strain suffered from Alzheimer’s in his later years
- Mr. Strain died at Yamba’s home this week
- His family says the community worked together to keep the 88-year-old safe
The family moved Mr Strain from Bondi to Yamba, north of New South Wales, five years ago, when it became apparent that Alzheimer’s disease was robbing the former lawyer of his ability to live off independently.
“Clemmie” became known in the coastal village, with locals guiding him gently home when he was confused or disoriented during his daily walks.
Ally Strain said there was no way her grandfather could have maintained his quality of life living at home with the family without the help of the community.
Mr.’s family Strain used social media to ask for help from the community when he got lost or confused. (Provided by: Ally Strain)
“We had so many eyes on him at all times that we didn’t feel alone, we felt very supported and that definitely helped keep him out of the house,” Strain said.
“Everyone knew Clemmie, everyone knew his circumstances, and if they didn’t, a local would come in quickly and take him home. It was amazing.”
The community has gathered this week for the awakening of Mr. Strain at the Pacific Hotel, where I used to stop for a beer most days.
Sharlene Locke said the pub staff would miss her so much.
“Clem was a big part of our community and we all had a role to play in caring for him in different ways so he could still navigate Yamba safely,” Ms. Locke said.
Clem Strain’s extroverted personality helped him connect with the community. (Provided by: Ally Strain)
Friend Sevtap Yuce met Mr. Strain Bondi for the first time, but he met him better in Yamba, where he would go into his cafe to have a coffee in the morning and do the crossword puzzles.
“I was telling you the most beautiful stories, it made you melt, we all loved it,” Ms. Yuce said.
He said Mr Strain struggled to understand the blockades of COVID and that he lost the pace of his daily walks around the city.
“He forgot where the cafeteria was and would ask down the street for Sevtap,” he said.
“But someone would always recognize him and bring him to us, and I would take him home.
“They were all, the bank, the supermarket, everyone had a connection to him.”
Mr.’s family Strain was also proactive in seeking support for Mr. Strain as his condition worsened when he posted his photo on the local social media page asking people to take care of him.
“He’s usually very kind and can say he wants to go to Bondi (please never put him on the bus, haha) or he needs to find a place to shave. Please try to encourage him to walk home. If you can take it home. on the corner of Coldstream St (in the front of the cafeteria), you can walk home alone, “Ally Strain posted on Facebook last July.
Ms Strain said it was wonderful to see community care for an elderly person.
“I don’t think he would have had the same level of care that Bondi experienced, for example,” he said.
“It was really nice to see the community come together for him.”