Dedicating her working life to caring for others, Edith shares what it’s like to be a lifestyle support assistant with Envigor based at Seasons Redbank Plains.
“I’ve been a carer for over 40 years and have worked for Envigor for seven years. I’ve done a lot of different jobs across nursing homes, hostels and community work,” says Edith.
“I started when I was 18 – I’ve got a lot of respect for the elderly and I’ve always worked with them. It’s what I love doing – I can’t imagine doing anything else.”
Edith says that it’s the variety of the job and the feeling of always learning that keeps her loving what she does.
“You learn so much doing this job – it’s not just looking after clients, it’s taking them out, helping in the garden, looking after their pets – it’s a rewarding job for me.
“We do a lot of courses and we look after residents with dementia as well. Every person with dementia is different, you’ve just got to get to know them, ask them what their life story is and talk to them.”
Edith says that every day is different and it’s always around what the resident wants to do.
“You come in, you knock on their door, you ask if they’re happy to get up – if they’re not happy to get up you don’t get them up – it’s their choice. You help them with their showers, get their breakfast, help with their daily chores – we let them do what they can do and what they can’t do, we do.”
Edith says the best part of her job is making sure residents are happy, safe, clean and fed and stopping to chat with the residents.
For people thinking about making caring their career, Edith offers this advice:
“Don’t do it if your heart is not in the job. I think the residents can tell if you’re just there, rushing in and rushing out – the residents don’t need that. I don’t mean to say that you need to sit there all the time, but you need to talk to them while you are doing what you are doing.”