Meet the Staff

with Pema Yangdon, carer Q+A 2021 INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF HEALTH AND CARE WORKERS at Karingal Green Health and Aged Care Community, WA.

Pema Yangdon is a long way from home - the remote Kingdom of Bhutan - but she has found a new work family at Hall & Prior’s flagship aged care home, Karingal Green.

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

PY: After graduating from high school, my passion and long-held desire was to work as a caregiver. Working in the healthcare industry allows me to make a difference, which is a small contribution from me to society which makes me proud and pleased at the end of the day. A small interaction can have a significant impact on someone’s life, which gives me pleasure and motivates me to work more with many individuals.

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

PY: The year 2021 has been designated as the International Year of Health and Care Workers in appreciation of their unwavering dedication in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic during the last two years and in the years ahead. This event is vital and unique for me, as well as for all caregivers around the globe, because I feel proud and recognised for what we are doing. It also makes me feel that I have chosen the right path which again renews my commitment as a caregiver and resolve to work even harder on the frontline to address the needs of adults and differently-abled people.

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

PY: I come from the tiny Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan and this is my first job in Australia. I’ve been with Hall & Prior for nearly six months and prior to that, I used to work as a volunteer for a differently-abled centre in my hometown.

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

PY: My days are never the same; they primarily depend on the situation, the clients and my co-workers. Some days are good and some are harder work but I commit until the end of the day which means when I have a day off, I have a big smile on my face.

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

PY: It is incredibly rewarding for me to be able to see elderly people happy and connect with them. Working with them, watching them enjoy themselves, and seeing them happy is the most fulfilling thing that I do.

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

PY: It is from my mum that I have received some of the best advice in my life. She taught me to work with a pure heart and soul for the benefit of others rather than solely for my own benefit.

L&L: What is the best thing about working at Karingal Green?

PY: The best thing about working at Karingal Green are my residents who are friendly, my managers and co-workers who are supportive, and the many opportunities for development.

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

PY: I have learned a lot about myself, but I think the most important thing is that I should always look forward and be positive, irrespective of the situation.

L&L: How would others describe you?

PY: Usually I would say my colleagues describe me as positive, proactive and that I have a great sense of humour.

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

PY: I think it’s important that you’re someone who’s reliable, focused on the job, respectful, compassionate and a person who can comply with the orders.

FAST FACTS

If I wasn't a care worker I would -

be a DJ as I love music.

What’s your favourite movie?

Scarlet Heart.

What’s your favourite song?

Stand By Me.

When I’m not at work you’ll often

find me - out with friends or on the phone talking with them.

with Elham (Ellie) Mokhtari, Q+A 2021 INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF HEALTH AND CARE WORKERS carer at Vaucluse Aged Care Home, NSW.

Elham - or Ellie as she’s known - Mokhtari derives so much personal satisfaction from working in the aged care sector and loves the opportunity to be part of a team which puts caring for the elderly at the heart of everything they do.

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

EM: I realised that I enjoyed working with people and it helps me to satisfy my feelings about caring for others. I get a great sense of worth knowing that I can make a difference to somebody’s daily life.

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

EM: I am proud to be a care worker and I love that there is a whole year dedicated to showcasing the work that we do. I am so thankful to be featured in Life & Love with this initiative. It can be a very hard job, but I think care workers are the best kind of people - we are just people who care for other people’s wellbeing and needs.

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

EM: I have been part of the Hall & Prior family for nine years. I have loved every minute, of every day, of every year here! Vaucluse feels like home to me and I hope that carries through me to our wonderful residents.

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

EM: My father passed away when I was a young teenager. Since then my mother and I became very close to each other; I’m her eldest child and always tried to support her, especially giving lots of emotional support. Maybe that’s the reason that I’ve always enjoyed working with the elderly.

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

EM: Super busy trying to organise and conduct many tasks, but satisfactory when I see residents are comfortable, happy and engaging in the activities that they enjoy or have received the help and support that they needed.

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

EM: Providing emotional support makes me feel rewarded and connected to my residents, as well as seeing them feeling more relaxed

and calm. When they share their thoughts with me, I feel more connected to them.

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

EM: When I told my mother that I had found a job in a nursing home, she told me that the most important things that an elderly person would appreciate would be respect, care and love.

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

EM: I think it’s working with a supportive and wonderful management and team, especially the lifestyle team here at Vaucluse. I’m really glad that I’m working with Kareena and Angie, I believe we make a great team!

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

EM: Regarding the residents I care for, I realised that despite having different backgrounds and various cultures, I could learn a lot from them, they teach me lots of life lessons. As for myself, I learned that I can multi-task after always thinking I couldn’t!

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

EM: Residents have told me that I am polite!

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

EM: They should be patient, have compassion and enjoy working with people.

FAST FACTS

If I wasn't a care worker I would -

still be a care worker! I can’t imagine myself working in another field.

What’s your favourite song?

Sway With Me.

What’s your favourite movie/TV

show? The Blacklist series.

When I’m not at work you’ll often

find me - on the phone with my mum or reading books. Five words you live by - family, humanist ethic, optimism, happiness and fun (lots of it!).