Following our story here on aged care workers in the wake of Cyclone Debbie last week, we received an email from Nick Loudon, CEO of the Queensland-based Seasons Private Aged Care and Envigor Home Care.
He wanted to share some stories of his staff going above and beyond during the crisis.
At Seasons’ Kallangur facility, one worker living on a road closed by flooding promised she would walk into work if she had to and be in early to help. Another worker who was unwell arranged for someone to look after her child so she could come in and help someone who had not been rostered on.
Showing their true calibre
At Envigor’s Caloundra aged care home, staff banded together to make sure all residents received their meals. Many came to work with overnight bags packed knowing they would likely be staying the night to look after residents.
“Not sure if that’s their excuse for a girls’ night in but who cares, that is our values in action,” one worker said.
At their Bribie Island home, staff who had rostered days off came in to cover for those who were unable to make it in. One off-site staff member sent everyone regular updates on road closures, while another helped residents to go out and buy much-needed supplies at the supermarket.
Nick points out no one instructed staff to do this – “it’s just what they do, who they are,” he says.
Many of us wouldn’t know the true calibre of the people we trust our loved ones too.
But as Nick says: “These selfless people are the real reason there are no ‘disaster stories’ to print.”
