News
Overcoming challenges
Staff stories
Home Care Worker Sarah Wilson has been in her role for over ten years. She knows for certain this is the career for her. A big part of the reason is she understands the importance of supporting older people to live life on their terms.
“Growing older presents challenges,” explains Sarah who works in the outer eastern and south eastern suburbs of Melbourne. “I love helping customers spend their days the way they choose to, by providing services to assist them with any challenges they face.”
Sarah is no stranger to overcoming challenges. She was studying food science in her mid-20’s when doctors discovered she had a benign tumour the size of a golf ball in her brain. She underwent life-saving surgery and took over a year to recover.
“However, I struggled to cope with the study load and after my near-death experience I found that I was keen to have a career that had great meaning for me. A role where I could make a difference,” she says. “I’m passionate about older people, I love listening to their stories and being able to bring cheer to their days, so working in aged care seemed an obvious choice.”
Sarah’s average day entails doing cleaning, personal care, taking customers shopping or to appointments, making them a cuppa and generally doing the things for them that they struggle to do.
“I love it,” says Sarah. “I really enjoy spending time with older people, and I know they appreciate me being there. They certainly tell me that they do.”
Her lived experience has taught her that the body can adapt to change. Sarah take. up the challenge each day to help people, so they can continue to enjoy life on their terms.
Sarah feels very supported by Uniting AgeWell. She is keen to branch out and study further including to become a Lifestyle Coordinator within the organisation further down the track. “To be able to spend the whole day ensuring residents have fun and are socially connected – wow, how absolutely awesome!” she enthuses.
“One of my clients, Linda Westwood, is a 100-year-old World War II war veteran with a terrific sense of humour. I aspire to have her quality of life as I grow older!”
