Aged Care Employee Day: A journey of compassion and care in the heart of Blue Haven’s community

On this special Aged Care Employee Day, we are delighted to introduce you to Janelle, the heart and soul of our Community Team at Blue Haven. With more than 16 years of experience as a dedicated Support Worker, Janelle has been making a profound impact in the lives of our Homecare clients.

Janelle’s compassion knows no bounds, and her genuine desire to make a difference in our clients’ lives shines through in the care she provides. Her nurturing spirit has touched the hearts of many, promoting independence and enhancing the quality of life for our clients.

We recently sat down with Janelle to learn more about her journey and passion for care.

 

1. Tell us about yourself.

I’m a compassionate individual and have been a Support Worker with Blue Haven for over 16 years. I am blessed with four beautiful children who are the loves of my life. Gardening brings me joy, and sewing fulfills my creative side. I am driven by a passion for lifelong learning and making a positive impact in the lives of others. Embracing each moment and cherishing relationships are values close to my heart. Seeking adventure and continuous growth, I am always exploring new hobbies to enrich my life.

 

2. Why did you decide to become a Support Worker?

My heartfelt passion lies in helping others and making a genuine positive impact in the lives of vulnerable individuals or those in need. I also love the job’s flexibility, which allows me to choose my working hours and spend valuable time with my family.

 

3. Describe a day in the life of a Support Worker

In the morning, I get ready for work for a 7:30am start most days and set off to my first client of the day. When arriving at the client’s home, I review their care plan and any notes left from the previous Support Worker to get an update on the client’s health and any specific needs for that day. Usually, my first client is personal care – I assist with showering, drying and dressing the client. After this, breakfast is served and medication is distributed. I always ensure the client is clean, comfortable and safe upon my departure from their home. Other services throughout the day I provide are social engagement, taking the clients out shopping or on an outing, preparing them lunch and dinner and also helping with housework or gardening.

 

4. What is the most rewarding part of your job?

For me the most rewarding part is knowing that I am making a huge difference in the client’s wellbeing, and I am helping them live a healthy and comfortable quality of life. I love to see the clients get excited and happy when I arrive to provide their services.

 

5. Any advice for a new Support Worker?

Being a Support Worker for the elderly is a fulfilling and rewarding role, but it can also be challenging at times. My advice for a new Support Worker would be to learn the individual’s routine. This will make your job easier and more proficient in the long run. Another tip would be to maintain professional boundaries. While building rapport is essential for being a Support Worker, it’s important to maintain professional boundaries to ensure both you and the client feel comfortable within your relationship.

 

6. Why do you like working at Blue Haven?

I like working at Blue Haven because they have always been flexible with my hours, I love all of the office staff as they treat me with respect and the team are all helpful and supportive within the workplace. I am also being paid a competitive wage for my role and this helped when choosing the company to work for.

 

Blue Haven celebrates Janelle and all of our incredible Aged Care Employees who pour their hearts into making a positive impact in the lives of our elderly community members. Your unwavering dedication makes a world of difference, and we are truly grateful for all that you do!

 

To find out more about our homecare services in the community, visit: Blue Haven Illawarra | Community Services

 

Photo (above): Blue Haven Support Worker Janelle and client Bede at his home in Lake Illawarra NSW

 

Photo (above): The Blue Haven Community team for Aged Care Employee Day