The ‘immense personal satisfaction’ of an aged care career
Working in aged care will give you ‘immense personal satisfaction,’ according to Resthaven Limestone Coast Community Services Home Support Worker, Katrina Miller.
‘I’ve been in the south east for 25 years,’ she says, ‘And for most of it, I worked in a wine manufacturing laboratory.’
‘But honestly, it was boring, and I realised that I really wanted to do something that helped people.’
‘Resthaven were looking for Home Support Workers, so I applied.’
‘I didn’t even realise that Resthaven did community services, so I was pleasantly surprised. Everyone knows Resthaven here, but more for residential services – and the general consensus is that Resthaven has a great reputation.’
Katrina began working for Resthaven Limestone Coast Community Services in January 2021, and is already being supported by Resthaven to complete her Certificate III in Individual Support (Aged Care), via the Resthaven Professional Development Fund.
‘If it wasn’t for this financial support by Resthaven, I wouldn’t be able to complete the course,’ she says.
However, it’s not just the professional development that Katrina enjoys; ‘The people are awesome, I love the people,’ she says.
‘My first client today was a personal care visit – helping to shower and get dressed – then I had a check-in visit for another client, followed by a visit with someone at risk of homelessness.’
‘With the clients you’re supporting, you start to see the benefits of changes made.’
‘We might be their only contact for the day – so we make a real difference.’
‘And older people are interesting – they’re awesome!’
To work in aged care, Katrina says, ‘You need to be a people person, flexible, organised, and have empathy. If you have those qualities, you’ll make a good support person.’
‘Resthaven is an easy organisation to work for – and you’re doing something worthwhile.’
‘I encourage others to join the Resthaven story and realise the same personal and professional fulfillment that I have in this industry.’
‘As far as I’m concerned, if you love what you do, it’s not work.’
Resthaven Limestone Coast Community Services supports older people to live independently in their own homes throughout the south east. High quality residential aged care services are provided at Resthaven Mount Gambier.
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.