KEY POINTS:
Company could appear the easiest gift to give. But when people are lonely, it is also the gift they crave more than any other.
Colleen Shackell has spent almost every day for seven years giving that gift to the patients of Te Aroha hospital's elderly day-care unit.
Designed to increase its patient's quality of life, the day-care enables elderly people to socialise, interact, and be entertained, unit head Colleen Cowan said.
"It's keeping them motivated and moving, and their minds strong. It's very important for their quality of life. And Colleen comes in every morning, and she helps out."
Mrs Shackell's skill was in taking patients who struggled with group activities - people who needed individual care - and helping them get the most from their time at the unit.
It's a job which wouldn't get done without her, Mrs Cowan said.
"We don't have the staff. She's very valuable. It makes us free to work with the other people. And she doesn't have to come, but she comes here every day. I think it's very important, because they need that hands-on time."
Mrs Shackell said her motivation to help at the unit began when her mother was admitted to hospital.
"And I like being with old people. I've lived in Te Aroha all my life, so I know the people. I love doing it."
Knowing the patients were eager to hear news from outside the hospital helped motivate her to turn up each day, she said.
"I just feel that they are stuck in those four walls, and unless someone goes in and tells them what's going on, they won't know."
But the work was difficult at times.
"I've made really good friends, but they've passed on. And that does sort of upset me. when it's time to say goodbye, I really get attached to them and that's not easy."
