IN AGED CARE worker Jacqueleen Nangami's Kenyan culture good luck and blessings are believed not to come from money or status, but how you treat your elders.
In that vein, the activity and lifestyle coordinator at Ryman Healthcare's Nellie Melba Retirement Village in the Melbourne suburb of Wheeler's Hill is a very lucky woman.
"This is the best job in the world, and we are the special ones who have been given the responsibility to look after everyone in society who is now older," Jacqueleen said. "Let's carry that responsibility with pride."
Jacqueleen's appreciation of the privilege of caring for people was gained first-hand when looking after her sister Yvonne.
"My sister had always taken care of me, but she got very sick with a brain tumour," she said.
"Everything I had been taught in aged care was what I drew on when I looked after my sister. I was her major carer for two and a half years and she was very grateful I could do that for her. She died in my arms."
Yvonne's death inspired Jacqueleen, who has a Bachelor of Psychology specialising in dementia, to return to the aged care sector. "This is where I am supposed to be," she said.
Village resident Kamala Paramanathan says since moving into the village Jacqueleen has her doing things she has not done in years. "She goes out of her way to keep us active," she said.
As a high school teacher of 25 years, Kamala has a wealth of knowledge and experiences to share, according to Jacqueleen.
"Often older people are not given enough respect or recognition for who they are and all they have achieved," she said.
"I don't see Kamala as a woman who has had a knee replacement, I see her history. I am privileged to sit with her for 10 minutes for her to give me a nugget of her knowledge."
And Kamala says it is Jacqueleen's interest in who she has been, and what she has done, that makes her an outstanding aged care employee. "Jacqui makes me feel wonderful," Kamala said.
'Thanks for caring'
Jacqueleen is one of around 365,000 aged care "superheroes" being celebrated on Aged Care Employee Day (ACED) this Friday.
With the theme 'Thanks for Caring' the day is about saluting aged care workers and volunteers around the country, and this year recognising the extraordinary work carers are doing in the face of COVID-19.
ACED 2020 will also include an online event honouring the winners of Leading Age Services Australia's (LASA) Excellence in Age Services Awards.
LASA chief executive Sean Rooney said the day was about celebrating all aged care workers - from nurses and personal care workers to chefs, cleaners, managers and volunteers - who play vital roles in caring for around 1.3 million older Australians.
"Despite some sad losses and testing times, there is no doubt the commitment of our nation's tireless aged care staff has helped save many lives this year," he said.
"Some may be called superheroes, some are quiet achievers, but everyone in our industry contributes to care.
"Our elders are our most vulnerable, particularly during this time," Mr Rooney said. "It is our workers' dedication and consideration, in what are sometimes challenging but also very rewarding roles, that makes a huge difference in their lives."
For more information go to agedcareday.com.au
Jacqueleen and Kamala's story is part of a series of profiles Ryman Healthcare is rolling out on its carers. For more click HERE.
