Devonshire magazine November December 2018

The Third Trimester of Life
We speak to Neil Dowding about his life
and how he's helping others at his home,
Barleclose Farm.
Barleclose
Farm
“Ideal for
animal lovers!”
Neil was a district nurse, working in Sidmouth for
over 30 years. He's now looking after others of like
minds while tending his small working farm.
During our first Trimester,
aged one to thirty we
grew, developed and
gained knowledge.
to the idea of a third Trimester
commune, of people with like
minds, with a choice of how they
wish to live this final, and exciting,
period of their lives.
Sheltered accommodation in Chard
suited to an older lady or gentleman is
now available on a small working farm,
within a professional family home who
have a nursing background.
For more information please
call Neil on 07870 422843
Our second Trimester, aged thirty
to sixty, a family is raised and a
career progressed.
So what do we do during our third
Trimester, aged sixty and beyond?
Neil and Sandra Dowding reached
that third Trimester and decided
to up size rather than to down size.
They bought a small working farm
on the East Devon, Dorset, and
South Somerset boarder where they
are living their rural dream.
Now settled, they are in the
position to be able to invite a lady
or a gentleman, or both, to come
and join them as an alternative to
moving into a more formal care
system.
We spoke to Neil about his life so
far and how he hopes to help others
during their final stage of life.
"I was a district nurse, working in
the Sidmouth community for over
thirty years while Sandra worked
as an NVQ level 3 care assistant
in Sidmouth hospital for 22 years.
So between us we have had many
years when they were able to study
our patient’s reactions during their,
sometimes rocky journey, through
the dreaded third Trimester.
"Living the life that we have chosen,
Sandra and I are true converts
"What are those choices? Does a
person choose to socialise? Do they
want to explore the Jurassic coast?
Or would they rather retreat into
their own private space? Are they
‘Classical’ or ‘Pop’? Do they prefer
Television to books? The choice
is theirs. One thing is for sure a
person’s love of animals would be
well catered for here on the farm.
"If a problem with health should
arise, then a care provider would
be bought in. But with a balance
of interaction with others, mental
and physical activity, and periods
of private reflection, the whole
experience of living through your
third Trimester should, and can
be, joyous."
For more information on the scheme
phone Neil on 07870 422843.
Neil and Sandra have
spent most of their lives
caring for others and
continue to provide care
Pinhay House
Care Home
“your home from home by the sea”
We’ve been caring for the Elderly for over thirty years in this
beautiful Grade II listed Victorian mansion house.
Our spaciously appointed rooms provide real scope to spread
out in, we can even accommodate your much-loved furniture
(and small pets) ensuring it really is your “home from home”!
We specialise in the care of people suffering with short term
memory loss and forms of Dementia that can make living
alone or with different generations difficult.
Why not contact Adele or Sheena and ask about our
“Seasonal Respite Packages & Day Care”
we have arranged for this winter.
Lyme Regis, Dorset, DT7 3RQ. Tel: 01297 445626
info@pinhayhouse.co.uk www.pinhayhouse.co.uk
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What’s on in Devon
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