MIOK RETREAT is a short-term, private home-stay in Eleebana. The owner is Dr Les White, a retired teacher/trainer, counsellor and international health systems consultant.

Our focus is on Carers

specifically those who feel overextended in caring for a child undergoing treatment for cancer.

The driving, parking, managing diets, medications and handling the emotional weight of an uncertain future can be a burden on both patient and carers from the Hunter, New England, and Mid-North Coast regions, when travelling to John Hunter Hospital or the Calvary Mater, a 15-20min drive from MIOK RETREAT.

Cancer treatment can involve an initial and intense phase of diagnostics, followed by surgery or chemo, and is quite exhausting for carer and patient. Medical appointments may be scheduled over weeks. Not all carers can stay at Ronald McDonald House Regular hotel/ motel rooms may not suit. MIOK RETREAT can provide affordable private homestay for a parent with a school-age child, away from the noise, with kid stuff to do. The carer also has the option of discovering and working through options for more resilient caring. Since we have lived overseas in other cultures, we can cope with linguistically diverse situations.

Placement

When social workers, in conjunction with caring medical staff, form the opinion that a debilitated carer may fit these MIOK RETREAT guidelines, contact can be made directly with retired Dr Les White to discuss availability and suitability. Social workers and carers are welcome to check us out! Les will respectfully interview applicant, phone or face-to-face – no forms, no credit card details, no delays! A decision will be made promptly. If accepted, carer will be a social house guest (legally), and be provided with orientation and simple ‘house-rules.’ We trade on trust and respect, which requires openness and honesty. Upon arrival, house guests will receive a Welcome Guide, covering all matters related to their stay, including access codes or keys. We maintain a quiet household and live on the floor above the retreat level. As they say, ‘This is not our first rodeo!’ We’ve had over 60 people, mainly Uni students or those not well connected, live with us in our 51 years of marriage!

Numbers

Rule of thumb is 1 or 2 carers, 1 kid with cancer diagnosis, 1 ‘family’ at a time, 1 car space, up to 1 week per 1 month. We can be accessed more than once. Once a relationship is established, carers with their cancer patient may be looking for an extended ‘home away from home’ arrangement, which can be discussed. Noone likes surprises!

Food and Kitchen

You’ll have your own modern, clean, well equipped kitchen. Since food preferences are quite varied, no meals are provided. There’s usually tea and coffee and some condiments in the cupboards. Supermarkets are less than 10 minutes away. Meals/pizza etc are often delivered locally, and people grab food and take-away meals when they’re out.

Inclusions

Private entrance via external stairs or guests can use the lift to avoid navigating external stairs with tired loved ones and groceries etc. Made-up Queen bed in B1, 1 King single adjustable hospital bed and 1 other King single made-up in B2. Carer can have their own separate B1 bedroom, or be in the same room as patient in B2. There is an over-bed table, 4W-walker, etc. There’s a dining setting, recliners, activity/ jigsaw table, and two TVs. In the rare event of a blackout, the home has some battery backup which lowers the lift to a lower floor for exit. Backup can’t be guaranteed for your ‘medical devices’ during a blackout.

Leisure

Enjoy a leisurely stroll on paved lake foreshore walking tracks in park across the road, bush tracks at rear, decks on three sides. If you’re up for it, there’s an adult bike, tennis equip for hit-ball wall, darts, quoits, totem tennis, soccer & basketball, reclining deck chairs, 8-seat deck table, garden seats.

Bathroom and Laundry

Private walk-in shower, shower chair, raised toilet seat. Grab bars are fitted. Washing machine with detergent in unit is available.

Kitty

MIOK RETREAT never asks social house guests for money, but has a ‘cash kitty’ for contributions. No bargaining! No bureaucracy! So what’s the catch? Everyone is aware of the significant costs of providing a safe, clean, private, furnished space. Guests will know that someone else has paid for consumables and cleaning to ensure their stay is enjoyable. So guests often want to contribute to avoid ‘feeling like a burden,’ and want to see the service continue, so may want to ‘pay it forward’, to contribute to the costs of hosting others eg cleaning, AC/heating, internet, Netflix, etc.

COACH Mentoring

COACH can mean Creating Opportunity And Casting Hope – for better carer outcomes! Mentoring is empowerment by invitation, is solution focussed, lowers anxiety, never gives advice, and has no professional fees. We respect your privacy completely. However, as we are right upstairs, we are happy to help with local information or a chat on the deck if you’re feeling up to it.

Retired Dr Les no longer maintains professional counselling registrations, but still teaches online. So carers may avail themselves of profiling surveys and follow-up mentoring if they request it. After two decades of community and hospital chaplaincy after bushfires, floods and disasters, for those facing end-of-life issues, personal grief and loss support can also be available if requested.

You’re welcome. Call Les on 0402436543.