Peter

Peterfeatured image

Peter and Jimmy have been friends for 20 years. Every day after work they would share a drink at the local club, exchange stories and part ways.

But one day Jimmy asked Peter if he could take him home, and when Peter stepped inside, he was shocked by what he saw. Jimmy was very clearly not coping with life after the loss of his wife. It was not long after this that he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.

With no family around to help, Peter stepped in and began arranging for people to come and look after Jimmy.

And so began Peter’s journey as a carer.

“Jimmy needed help with all sorts of things,” explained Peter, who is 82.

“As he gradually got worse, I organised for someone to help – he could not clean, wash or cook. We can’t get services at the weekends, so I take him food to make sure he has something to eat.

“It destroys you to see him getting worse.”

Peter and Jimmy live in the regional town of Nhulunbuy in East Arnhem. The remoteness of where they live compounds the caring challenges, but Peter is proud to be a part of the community.

“People come and go in this town,” he explained. “It does make it hard sometimes to find the right supports, but that’s where friends like me can step in.”

And so, their friendship continues, albeit down a different path. The daily drinks at the local surf club have been replaced by a meal delivery; chats now feel fragmented; the dynamic has shifted from friend to carer. But Peter wouldn’t change a thing.

“It’s just what you do. I’ve known him for 20 years, of course I’m going to be there for him,” he said.

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