Lynn Hinde’s return to nursing has brought her to Thornhill Manor at a time when her own family’s experiences with ageing and dementia have given her a deeper understanding of care, compassion and independence.
She became Thornhill Manor’s village sister in mid-August and says her experiences as both a mother and daughter have prepared her unexpectedly well for the role.
A career shaped by care
Born in the UK and raised in Springs, Lynn began her nursing career in 1985, enrolling in a three-year general nursing course at Johannesburg General Hospital, now Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital.
She spent about 10 years at the hospital, working in a medical ward and eventually becoming a charge sister. She later completed a midwifery course before returning to medical nursing.
After leaving Johannesburg General in 1994, Lynn spent about two years at Linksfield Clinic before stepping away from nursing to raise her three sons.
Her time as a mother brought another dimension to her understanding of care. Her eldest son, Josh, was diagnosed with special needs at about two and was eventually placed in residential care, where he benefits from being among his peers.
The experience gave Lynn empathy for families faced with difficult decisions about caring for a loved one.
Her own family recently faced a similar decision. Her father has dementia and, about three months ago, the family decided to place him in care. “It’s a big decision for a family,” she says. “Having gone through that myself, it is invaluable to be working in this environment.”
Back to nursing
After several years away from nursing, Lynn returned to the healthcare environment in 2018, working part-time at an intravenous therapy clinic for about four years.
With her children now grown, she decided it was time to return to the workplace, and her first weeks at Thornhill have confirmed that she made the right decision. “The residents are lovely. They have given me such a warm welcome,” she says.
“In Western culture, I don’t think we honour our aged as we should,” she says. “You often see people patronising older people, who have so much value to add.”
She points to a 97-year-old Thornhill resident who still drives, hosts dinner parties and is exceptionally sharp as an example of how much life can continue to offer in later years.
“As much as I give, I get back from the village residents,” she says.
Staying connected
For Lynn, ageing well means continuing to do the things that give life purpose, while allowing yourself time to rest.
“Don’t become isolated,” she says. “Keep going, but let yourself rest too. Give yourself permission to read a book, take the time off and appreciate the time to just be.”
The sense of community at Thornhill is one of the things she values most, particularly for residents who have outlived a partner. At the same time, she is conscious that independent living means respecting residents’ autonomy.
Lynn, who turns 60 this year, believes ageing should be approached with respect rather than fear.
Outside work, she enjoys reading, cooking, walking and pottering around at home. She also practises yoga, which she taught for a time.
Her personal motto neatly captures the approach she hopes to bring to her new role: “This is it. Be present – be in the moment.”
