Monday 7 August is Aged Care Employee Day (ACED)—an annual event organised by the Aged and Community Care Providers Association (ACCPA), a national industry association. The aim of the day is to celebrate the 370,000 workers and volunteers who devote their time across residential, home and community aged care.
Sonya Smart, CEO of Catholic, for-purpose aged and disability organisation VMCH, is encouraging people to get behind ACED and say #ThanksForCaring to nurses, lifestyle staff, personal care assistants, allied health professionals, home care staff, hospitality teams, cleaners, administration staff, pastoral carers and more.
‘Working within aged care can be incredibly challenging, especially over the past few years as we’ve battled through COVID,’ Sonya says.
ACED is a time to reflect on the tireless efforts made by our aged care workers and volunteers each and every day, and thank them for their resilience, passion and commitment as they care for our aging community.
Patricia Dean has worked as a Personal Care Assistant with VMCH for 25 years. Caring for residents is what she loves most about her job, providing them with a listening ear or simply being a friend.
‘Getting to know the residents and hearing their life stories or where they’ve been in life brings me joy,’ she says. ‘Some days can be exhausting, but looking after our residents is something I genuinely love.’
Chef Manager Rachna (Kimi) Power shows her love through cooking delicious and nutritious food for residents at VMCH’s John R Hannah home.
‘I feel blessed to have the skill and ability to deliver hearty, home-cooked meals for our residents, many of whom have had years of cooking experience themselves. Even just a simple roast meal can remind residents of those Sunday lunches around their dining tables, but now with a new family surrounding them,’ Kimi says.
‘Seeing their empty plates gives the same joy as feeding my own family.’
Helping older people to remain as independent as possible is what motivates 20-year home care veteran Wendy Elkington.
I see the courage of our clients, who need that little bit of extra care in their own home, and I feel grateful to have met so many wonderful people along the way.
To Patricia, Kimi, Wendy and all of the amazing aged care workers across Australia, we say #ThanksForCaring.
Banner image: Rachna Power. Photo courtesy VMCH.
