At the heart of all aged care homes are the staff members who show tireless dedication to the residents they support and care for daily.
Catholic organisation Mercy Health is sharing stores of those unsung people who devote their time to those residents day-after-day, year after year.
Natasha Yarrick has worked for the past 43 years at Mercy Health Bethlehem Home for the Aged in Bendigo, 150km north-west of Melbourne CBD.
“I have enjoyed my time at Bethlehem immensely and am very proud of being a part of this community – everyone here helps out when needed,” she said.
As well as a nurse and personal care assistant, Natasha has been instrumental in assisting student nurses who come into the home for the iGen Program, a program which teaches the next generation of nurses how to be a leader in the community.
“It’s great to help the next generation of nurses understand how rewarding it can be working in aged care,” Natasha said.
Garpal Singh and Grace Kadatuan, nurses at Mercy Place Colac, 150km south-west of Melbourne CBD, have had similar career paths.
Grace migrated to Australia from the Philippines in 2019 where she studied a Diploma of Nursing.
“In the beginning I found studying a challenge, particularly with English being my second language. For a while I worked as a cleaning supervisor, but my passion has always been nursing so I had to go back,” Grace said.
“I am so thankful to the team at Mercy Place and love coming into work every day and seeing all of my residents.”
Garpal immigrated from India to Australia just over two years ago. In India he worked in a small hospital but since coming to Mercy Place Colac, Garpal has found a love for the responsibility of caring for the aged.
“Being around so many positive attitudes make coming to work every day such a joy. The way the residents greet you in the morning is an immediate boost to my mood,” Garpal said.
Mercy Place Mount St Joseph’s, in Young, 374km south-west of Sydney CBD, is proud of its multicultural nursing staff from India, Sri Lanka, Nepal and China. The home’s service manager, Shelley Gledhill, spoke positively about the diverse experience their nurses bring to the home for the residents.
“Having a range of different backgrounds in our nursing staff means you’re always learning new things from new people. All of our residents and staff love that we get to have so many new experiences every day,” she said.
