Meet the Staff

with Kerri Pearson, Assistant Q+A 2021 INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF HEALTH AND CARE WORKERS in Nursing at Aubrey Downer Aged Care Home, NSW.

Like so many who work as carers, Kerri Pearson’s love of the profession began as a child, when she used to visit aged care homes to deliver Christmas gifts to residents.

L&L: What made you want to become a care worker?

KP: When I was young, I grew up going into the nursing home that my mother worked at to visit the residents. My sister and I used to make little gifts to take into the residents at Christmas time. I always wanted to be a nurse, so I could help them. Visiting the home left a lasting impression on me as a young girl.

L&L: What does the World Health Organisation's International Year of Health and Care Workers mean to you?

KP: It recognises the sacrifices and dedication of healthcare workers who never stopped caring through the COVID-19 pandemic.

L&L: How long have you worked at Hall & Prior?

KP: I have been with Hall & Prior for six months now.

L&L: How long have you worked in aged care?

KP: I have been working in aged care for around six years now.

L&L: What does an average day look like for you?

KP: If I am not working then I will drop my two granddaughters off to school. Over the weekend I love to spend a lot of time with them either going for a push bike ride or a walk. I like to do a lot of arts and craft, so the girls like to do that with me! I like to spend time working on my hobbies of making hanging crystals, diamond art and baking. I love to give away all my craft pieces to family and friends. At work – the average day is all systems go! I work across both lodges - Jeffress Lodge, which is the secure dementia unit, and Alcheringa Lodge here at Aubrey Downer. There are large amounts of gorgeous garden in-between – so it’s not a quick trip between work spaces.

L&L: Tell us one part of your job that makes you feel really rewarded and connected to those you care for?

KP: When I make the residents laugh and smile and find some happiness everyday. What a highlight. For instance, I will ask the residents if they would like to help me make fresh fruit salad, and afterwards they will all sit down and enjoy it together. Having that role to play makes them happy - and the outcome is a lovely, health snack.

L&L: What’s the best piece of advice you ever received about caring for others and from who?

KP: My mum gave me this advice, she was a matron of a nursing home for over 40 years. She said to always try and treat residents as if they were your own family and give them the best quality of life.

L&L: What’s the best thing about working at your aged care home?

KP: It’s definitely the residents I get to work with every day. They are all different and unique and very, very special people with their own stories to tell.

L&L: What have you learned about yourself and those you care for while you’ve worked for Hall & Prior?

KP: That I am capable of working under my own supervision and under immense pressure. This is a very busy job, with much that needs completing at the same time, but I love it.

L&L: How would others describe you, do you think?

KP: I think they would say I was compassionate, generous, caring and a good team member.

L&L: What qualities are required to make a great care worker?

KP: The same as I mentioned above – I think I’m in the right place!

FAST FACTS

If I wasn't a care worker I would be -

working with troubled teenagers.

What’s your favourite song?

Purple Rain by Prince.

What’s your favourite movie?

Coyote Ugly.

When I’m not at work you’ll most

likely find me - watching a movie or playing with my granddaughters. Five words you live by - There’s no ‘I’ in TEAM!

with Julie Dunn, carer Q+A 2021 INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF HEALTH AND CARE WORKERS at Hamersley Aged Care Home, WA.

Julie Dunn is a care worker at Hamersley Aged Care Home in Subiaco and for the past 13 months, has been offering a hand to hold and an ear to listen to the home’s residents.

My late great grandmother . . . said I had a gift for making people feel better. “

L&L: What made you become a care worker?

JD: I remember as a wee girl my late great grandmother who was very elderly and blind would get me to read the Bible for her and tickle her arm until she went to sleep. It was then she said I had a gift for making people feel better and I knew I would do a job helping people.

L&L: What does the World Health Organisation's International Year of Health and Care Workers mean to you?

JD: It means recognition of all in the health care industry and all they achieve on a daily basis and the lives they touch with their work.

L&L: How long have you worked at Hall & Prior?

JD: I have worked with Hall & Prior for 13 months now.

L&L: What does an average day look like for you?

JD: My day starts at 4:30am. I am a firm believer that you start your day with something to be grateful for. I then head to work with a positive mindset and attitude.

L&L: Tell us about one part of your job that makes you feel really rewarded and connected to those you care for?

JD: One part of my job that makes me feel happy and rewarded is using oils (aromatherapy) for massages of the hands and temples, and seeing the calming effect the oils can have.

L&L: What is the best piece of advice you ever received?

JD: It was from a previous boss who has since passed away. She said to treat everyone as if they were your loved one.

L&L: What is the best thing about working at your aged care home?

JD: Our boss Terri and Deputy Director of Nursing Kath and the staff. We look after each other and support each other where necessary.

L&L: What have you learned about yourself and those you care for while you’ve worked for Hall & Prior?

JD: I have learned about cultural diversity within our consumers in terms of their beliefs and the best way to fulfil their needs.

L&L: How would others describe you, do you think?

JD: I think others would say that I’m always smiling. A smile and a kind word costs nothing. Others would always say I am happy to help wherever I can.

L&L: What qualities are required to make a great care worker in your opinion?

JD: A kind and gentle heart, an ear to listen and a hand to hold.

FAST FACTS

If I wasn't a care worker I would be -

a zoologist.

What’s your favourite movie?

Robin Hood

What’s your favourite song?

An African song called Asimbomba.

When I’m not at work you’ll most

likely find me - at the gym, on the beach or reading.