‘Above and beyond’

“Thanks for caring” is the message today to Australia’s aged care workforce.

Across the country, providers, residents and their families are participating in events to mark Aged Care Employee Day.

Coordinated by peak body the Aged & Community Care Providers Association, its chief executive officer said the annual event is a callout to the hundreds of thousands of aged care workers across the country who go above and beyond in providing care and support for older Australians.

“We want to keep in mind the almighty effort put in by aged care workers and encourage the public to take a moment and say, ‘thank you for caring’,” said Tom Symondson.

Established seven years ago to honour those working on the frontline, Aged Care Employee Day is, said Mr Symondson, an important date in the sector’s calendar. “They’re the backbone; the people who support our elders day in day out. They make the lives of older Australians better every day.”

Mr Symondson called aged care workers “heroes”. “Be they personal carers, nurses, kitchen and laundry staff, diversional therapy staff, allied health professionals, administrators, gardeners or volunteers, they have all worked above and beyond the call of duty to keep our older Australians cared for and safe. ACCPA congratulates our aged care heroes for their dedication, their compassion and their hard work, and we encourage the public to give them the recognition they so handsomely deserve.”

Among the providers saluting their staff today – Whiddon which established Aged Care Employee Day in 2018 before handing control to LASA, the industry peak at the time.

“While we loved recognising our team members on International Nurses Day, we simply had to see a day set aside to celebrate all employees who are part of the aged care journey,” Whiddon chief executive officer Chris Mamarelis told Community Care Review.

“Today, it is extremely gratifying to see the plethora of activity on social media, TV and radio highlighting the beautiful celebrations occurring across the nation aimed at thanking and recognising aged care employees and to know you played a part in bringing that to life. Long may we celebrate every role, every position and every person who dedicates a career to caring.”

Also acknowledging the event, not-for-profit VMCH. “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 ageing community,” VMCH CEO Sonya Smart said.

Karen Lambert has been a lifestyle assistant at VMCH for 10 years. “I love seeing the joy residents show sharing their stories and being able to have the time to sit and listen to them,” she said. “I love that I get to do fun things and have a good laugh and conversations with many amazing people.”

VMCH personal care assistant Filomena Di Gennaro also gets immense satisfaction out of her job. “The highlight of working in aged care is that I enjoy working with older adults,” she said. “It’s like me looking after my family members and making sure they’re okay, happy and safe.”

Marife Coyle – also a PCA – shares the sentiment. “Working in aged care is like looking after my parents … I make sure they get the right care they need and also make them feel safe and happy.”

Gopal Singh is an enrolled nurse who has been working in aged care for 18 years. He sums up his role at VMCH as “giving the best life and care to those we are looking after.”

Aged care and retirement living provider Uniting NSW.ACT employs more than 6,700 people to support almost 8,000 senior Australians in residential aged care, more than 8,600 in home and community care, and a further 3,700 people in independent living villages. 

Uniting is marking Aged Care Employee Day by honouring Mark Sanchez ­– service manager at its Illowra aged care home in Waverly. Arriving in Australia a decade ago, Mr Sanchez joined Uniting as a kitchen hand before becoming a registered nurse in 2018.

“I will never forget my first day as a registered nurse at Illowra – it was trial by fire,” he said. “I started the day with a flat tyre, a resident who passed away unexpectedly in her sleep, and no manager onsite as the service was between managers at the time. I certainly learnt a lot from that experience.”

During the Covid pandemic Mr Sanchez was offered the role of acting service manager. “With Covid came a lot of changes – things no one had experienced before,” he said. “It was unchartered territory for us all.”

Mr Sanchez became permanent service manager at Illowra in September 2021. “I am very proud of how far I have come since arriving here 10 years ago,” he said.

I like knowing I am contributing to someone’s quality of life

Emily Fowler, Carinity

Queensland aged care provider Carinity is also joining in the celebrations today by crediting some of its staff. Janelle Steer started at the provider’s Hilltop aged care community in 1998 working in support services. Today she is an enrolled nurse. “My favourite part of my current role is being able to interact with residents and their family to fulfill their desires and needs,” she said.

Emily Fowler works as administration officer at the Carinity Cedarbrook residential aged care facility on the Gold Coast.

“I enjoy meeting potential residents and families and being able to assist them to begin their aged care journeys. I like knowing I am contributing to making a difference to someone’s quality of life,” she said. “It is such a pleasure to be able to be part of a resident’s final chapter, treating them with the grace and respect they deserve. If you want a career where you feel you make a difference in people’s lives, this is it.”

Rosemary Butterfield – who manages Carinity’s clinical systems – has been working for the not-for-profit, faith-based provider since 1994. “I enjoy working with people who have a love and passion for the care of elderly people,” she said. “We are all one large family with a common goal in helping others.”

Still in Queensland, aged care and retirement living provider Lutheran Services paid respects to its 2,000 employees.

“Whether you provide direct care, or support those who do, your dedication to brightening the days and enriching the lives of others is truly inspiring,” said CEO Nick Ryan. “When I visit our communities I am always reminded how passionate the team is about creating moments of joy while making our residents feel welcome, supported and celebrated.”

To mark Aged Care Employee Day, ACCPA has uploaded a series of video tributes on its website, including one from Aged Care Minister Anika Wells.

“I am so grateful for the important work that aged care workers do day in day out,” she said. “Thank you for your work, your compassion, and for being part of a better future for aged care in Australia.”

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