This Sunday, 7 August, is Aged Care Employee Day – and with all the valuable duties that aged care workers perform to keep older Australians happy and healthy, it’s an excellent time to thank them for their dedication.
This year marks the fourth Aged Care Employee Day, and Paul Sadler, interim CEO of peak body Aged & Community Care Providers Association (ACCPA), says it’s a way to recognise the aged care “superheroes” who have gone above and beyond during COVID-19.
“Our staff have faced the most challenging of conditions during this pandemic and were tested to their limits with the COVID-19 Omicron wave over summer. Many lived on site to continue providing essential care to their loved older residents while colleagues were struck down with COVID or forced to isolate.
“We want our residents and clients, their families and friends, to join us in saying ‘thank you for a job well done’ and recognise the hard work of aged care staff in caring for our loved ones,” he said.
Profiles in care
These hard workers include people like Janice Kelly (pictured top), a Diversional Therapist at the Carinity Brookfield Green aged care community in Brisbane, who says working with older people makes her happy.
“There are many reasons why I wanted to work with older people. I believe we learn so much when working with them. I find it brings a lot of joy not only for them but also for the people that work with them.
“Our seniors have wonderful stories to share and are great people to be with. I enjoy listening to their life stories and the wonderful adventures they have had. I enjoy sharing music with them and see the joy it brings,” she said.
Emma Taha (pictured) is the youngest team member at HammondCare’s Lucinda Overnight Respite Cottage in Wahroonga, NSW, having joined right after graduating from Turramurra High School in 2020. Almost all the guests who stay at the cottage are living with dementia, and Emma looks after them while she studies nursing at Australian Catholic University.
“I love the people I care for. No two people are the same, and like their personalities, their care needs are different,” Emma said.
“I have learned lots from the wisdom of these guests and it has widened my perspective of the world.”
Monica Reilly (pictured), Quality Co‑ordinator at RSL LifeCare’s LARA Aged Care in Dungog, NSW, has worked in aged care for 16 years and says she loves the family atmosphere at her facility.
“We are a small community, and we look after each other. I really enjoy the relationship that our staff have with our residents and that the residents have with each other and ensuring that they have the best quality of life while they are with us.
“We have a fabulous team. We work hard, but we have a lot of fun too. I love this town, this facility, and my job,” she said.
Three cheers for Janice, Emma, and Monica – and all other aged care workers who make seniors’ lives better right across Australia.
