I got into aged care after finishing school. I have a caring nature; my mother always says it’s because I like to prepare for her when she gets older. I enjoy it, I get a lot of fulfillment in that caring. I like caring for people.
I’ve been doing it for around 20 years in total. I started in high care and then moved on to community care. Every day is different – it makes me happy. I manage to share a lot of laughter with the people I carer for. Apparently I’m never cranky.
To anyone considering a career in aged care I’d say, If you have a kind and caring nature, go for it. You know you help someone, even if it’s just doing a bit of ironing, the conversations, it could be the simplest of things. It makes them happier and helps them to live in their own homes and feel comfortable. I know they’re are only small changes to younger people, but the changes to my clients are bigger and more phenomenal than you realize. It’s a great job to do.
Throughout my day I adjust to doing a lot of different things, a simple game of Scrabble to maybe cleaning a toilet. Very different, but it’s those little tasks that make it… and the conversation. I like my conversations. Communication is great, I love it.
I’ve got at least 20 main clients, every day is different. I go around and check on everyone. It’s lovely. It’s very, fulfilling. People can come home from work and they’re all tired, they have bad days. I can do that too, but I feel like I’ve accomplished something. Even if it’s a walk, like I do in mornings with some clients.
