Meet the Staff

with Mona Sherpa, Q+A 2021 INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF HEALTH AND CARE WORKERS carer at Bexley Aged Care Home, NSW.

Mona Sherpa knows Bexley well, having worked there for over 10 years. It’s a role she loves and takes seriously - as caregiving is one of the most important you can have in society.

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

MS: I like to work with the elderly. Aged people have so much life experience which I love to hear about. I truly enjoy looking after them and making sure they are happy and feeling well.

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

MS: This is an organisation that I do not know much about, but I can guess that being global it is very important. I especially like that it is drawing attention to care workers as I feel we do such an important job in society. Caring for people is one of the greatest responsibility roles you can have.

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

MS: I have been employed with Hall & Prior for a year now - I transferred across from the previous owner when Hall & Prior took over the home in 2020. I have been working at the Bexley home since 2010, so I feel like I am well and truly ‘part’ of the home. I know the residents really well and understand my role in their care and wellbeing.

L&L: What drew you to working in aged care?

MS: Aged care is my career, I have worked 11 years in this industry. The reason I do this is very simple, I just enjoy it! Being able to give help is a privilege. I particularly thrive on helping those residents with dementia as they are fragile, requiring a kind and gentle type of care approach. This is the type of care I love to give. Just to see the smile and acknowledgement on their faces is enough for me to know that I am doing a good job.

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

MS: No two days are the same! When you work with people, things have to be fluid. While I do have set tasks that I need to complete for each resident, I always focus on the small things that make the care personal to the resident I am dealing with at that time.

I am happy and content with this work, and I would say that I was born to do this. I can easily say that I truly enjoy my work.

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

MS: When my residents say “thank you” to me, then I feel so grateful, especially those dementia residents who struggle everyday to recall people and faces. The fact that they know me gives me such joy. It means that they are getting consistent and constant care from someone they know - which makes them feel safe and comfortable in our home.

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

MS: My number one piece of advice is to always listen to the resident and show empathy to every resident that I have the honour of caring for. This advice was given to me by my colleagues - and it has never done me wrong.

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

MS: I think it would be the team work - we have a strong team here at Bexley. We always talk to each other to make sure we are feeling good and that the residents are doing well. Our management are very supportive as well and that makes completing this job that much easier. It is a tough job at times and very demanding on us, time-wise, so to have that support means a lot to all of us.

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

MS: I have learned that I do not have all the answers! I always ask questions - I learn so much from asking the residents questions and just having general conversations with them. They always tell you how they like to be cared for.

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

MS: I think they would say kind, gentle, polite, supportive, caring and empathetic. And they may say I’m a great listener as well.

FAST FACTS

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

a customer service agent - I guess I’m a people person!

What’s your favourite movie?

Rain Man.

What’s your favourite song?

Any kind of song is a good song for me - music is wonderful!

When I’m not at work you’ll

most likely find me - shopping or babysitting with my son.

Five words you live by? Family, friends, job, trust, love.

with Hani Carson, Acting Q+A 2021 INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF HEALTH AND CARE WORKERS Clinical Nurse Manager at Leighton Aged Care Home, WA.

Hani Carson’s career took a very different path from her early ambitions to become a graphic designer, and she couldn’t be happier with her decision to pursue nursing.

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

HC: My mum was a paediatric and dental nurse, but I wasn’t somebody who grew up wanting to be a nurse. I always wanted to be an artist. My first degree was in graphic design. However, when I moved to Perth, friends encouraged me to become a nurse. I decided to pursue the possibility and I worked as a carer while I was studying. Once I started classes, I fell in love with every aspect of nursing. I never thought how that spur-of the-moment decision would change my life forever.

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

HC: It is a year to celebrate every health worker in any role or capacity in this very challenging time of the COVID-19 pandemic. It recognises and acknowledges the wonderful job all clinical and non-clinical team members do and the ability of our workforce to learn and adapt to rapidly changing environments.

L&L: How long have you worked in aged care and when did you join Hall & Prior?

HC: This is my second year with Hall & Prior and I started with them as a Registered Nurse in McDougall Park in Como in February 2020. I also have extra shifts in Agmaroy and Leighton and in May 2021, I was offered the CNM position for Leighton.

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

HC: Every day is different and every single shift has the potential to be critical, exhilarating, draining, or all of the above. On any given day, we witness our residents at their weakest and most vulnerable, or at their strongest. You never know what kind of day you’re going to have, who you’re going to meet, or what kind of challenges you’ll face. As for daily tasks, I am responsible for the leadership and management of clinical and care staff, ensuring the delivery of highquality resident care that promotes wellbeing and quality of life and also meets the Aged Care Standards. I also support the DON in the home on day-to-day operations.

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

HC: To have the opportunity to play an important role in residents’ lives at their most vulnerable times and being able to support family is a privilege and one I take very seriously. To be allowed within that moment to offer support and comfort is what is rewarding about nursing. If I can walk out after my shift knowing that I have eased my resident’s worry or fear and brought some sort of peace to them, then my day is fulfilled.

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

HC: When I had just become a single mum and worried if I could be strong enough for my little boys, my dad said “fight for the one you love and love the one you fight for”.

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

HC: Working in aged care teaches me to see things from a different perspective from our residents who have years of experience and to appreciate life and family.

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

HC: I have a great job where I get to make my residents’ lives better. For the most part, I’m treated with respect, and I work with a great group of supportive people.

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

HC: I am career-driven, a quick thinker who thrives on challenges and constantly sets goals. I’m always looking for an opportunity to do better.

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

HC: Empathy is the most unique characteristic of nursing. By practicing empathy, nurses are more likely to treat their resident as a “whole person” and focus on a person-centred care approach, rather than strictly following routine guidelines.

FAST FACTS

If I wasn't a care worker I would -

still be a graphic designer.

What’s your favourite song?

Safe and Sound by Capital Cities, Alive by Empire of the Sun, Stars by Simply Red. All these songs make me happy.

What’s your favourite movie/TV

show? Vikings.

When I’m not at work you’ll often

find me - in the kitchen, I love cooking and baking for family and friends.