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Robyn Berry-Luke

‘Care, cost and cuddles: Why I’m willing to go broke for my furry companions’

Robyn Berry-Luke

Robyn Berry-Luke

Robyn Berry-Luke says shes been around the block a few times over the years. She suffers from a mental health condition and has good and bad months. Robyn’s writing has always helped her overcome the mental health demons, so she spends time every day writing in her journal. Robyn no longer has any family (they have all passed away) so lives alone with the assistance of the Methodist Mission’s caregivers who call in at lunch time and every evening. These ladies keep Robyn sane and topped up with gossip and general life; they are all very different and she enjoy their company immensely.

Like many over-60s, Robyn is dealing with a plethora of health issues. Source: Getty

‘The ailments that run my life: I feel like an old car in need of new parts’

‘The ailments that run my life: I feel like an old car in need of new parts’

"I have so many different things wrong with me I wonder how I survive each day."

Robyn recalls family holidays to the US where she was troubled by what she saw. Source: Getty

‘America was racist when I visited in the ’50s and it looks like nothing’s changed’

‘America was racist when I visited in the ’50s and it looks like nothing’s changed’

"I didn't know what discrimination meant at that age, but I knew didn’t feel right."

Robyn has discovered online dating can be tricky business. Source: Getty

‘I’m trying to meet a gentleman friend, but so far I’ve only found creeps’

‘I’m trying to meet a gentleman friend, but so far I’ve only found creeps’

"One of them turned out to be married with three children!"

Like many seniors, Robyn has faced difficulties since the pandemic hit out shores. Source: Getty

‘Covid diaries: I’m 71, alone and haven’t left my house in seven months’

‘Covid diaries: I’m 71, alone and haven’t left my house in seven months’

"This blog is a total vent, but I needed to get it off my chest."

Trouble sleeping and living alone has meant Robyn has been spending a lot of time watching television during lockdown. Source: Getty Images

‘What living alone during coronavirus has really been like for me’

‘What living alone during coronavirus has really been like for me’

"What can I do during these long hours before daybreak and during the day to keep myself occupied?"

Robyn is using the time in lockdown to refresh her writing interests. Source: Getty Images

‘I’m using the coronavirus pandemic to refresh myself and transform my creativity’

‘I’m using the coronavirus pandemic to refresh myself and transform my creativity’

"It is not only personally satisfying, but it shows me just how important outlets such as this can be for members of our generation."

Robyn writes about the falls she's had over the years and the injuries she has sustained. Source: Getty Images

‘I know too well the dangers of over-60s having a fall at home’

‘I know too well the dangers of over-60s having a fall at home’

For older adults, falls are a scary thing and even a minor fall can make you more cautious.

New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern addressing the nation on the country's lockdown measures. Source: Getty Images

‘How I’m surviving New Zealand’s Level 4 coronavirus lockdown’

‘How I’m surviving New Zealand’s Level 4 coronavirus lockdown’

"I have noticed increasing paranoid and obsessive behaviours are coming to their own with Covid-19."

Anxious about coronavirus? The pandemic is causing significant fear and worry. Source: Getty Images

‘Coping with anxiety and fear for the future during the coronavirus pandemic’

‘Coping with anxiety and fear for the future during the coronavirus pandemic’

"I know it is because of the coronavirus I’ve been worried and anxious and stressed."

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