Home Support Worker’s television debut
Resthaven Northern Community Services Home Support Worker, Michelle O’Dea, uses her love of people to care for older people in their homes, and this year, she made her television debut!
Michelle features in Resthaven’s new television commercial and print media. The campaign, ‘Welcome Care’, is a notion Michelle is all too familiar with through her work as a Home Support Worker.
‘I think it is wonderful that Resthaven sourced the talent for this campaign from our staff. What an authentic way of promoting our services, and giving back to us in a special way,’ says Michelle.
‘We were all so thrilled to have this experience that many of us would never have had the opportunity to do otherwise.’
Aside from Michelle’s television debut, her true passion is providing support to older people living independently.
‘It is important that clients have the support they need to live at home for as long as possible. They are happier at home and I can see that keeping their independence generally helps them to live longer.’
‘My favourite part about the job is being able to connect with all sorts of people with different backgrounds and helping them to have a great day and experience with Resthaven.’
Every day is different, depending on her client’s needs.
‘Some days we could be out and about, shopping, or I could be taking them to a social event or to visit someone, other days I am helping with the cooking, laundry, and medication.’
‘My role allows me the flexibility to work around my life, and when I am working, it often doesn’t feel like work. Yes, I am kept busy, but I am being invited into someone’s home, and the work I am doing is meaningful. There is nothing else like it.’
‘Anyone can do this work, and at any age. I would recommend it to anyone.’
Established in 1935, Resthaven is a South Australian not-for-profit aged care community service associated with the Uniting Church in Australia.
Every day, Resthaven shares the lives and wisdom of older people and their carers, opening doors to the full range of aged care service options available.
Services are provided throughout metropolitan Adelaide, the Adelaide Hills, Murraylands, Riverland, Fleurieu Peninsula, lower Barossa region and the Limestone Coast of South Australia.