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  4. Jackie and Maria – aged care
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Jackie and Maria – aged care

Jackie and Maria – aged care

Jackie is an aged care worker who provides in-home care for Maria, helping her to remain independent by assisting with cleaning and joining in with cooking. They have developed a close relationship through their shared Filipino culture and enjoy telling each other stories in Tagalog.

English Translation

Jackie: I am Jackie.  I am an aged care worker and I’ve been working here for four years. I chose aged care because it is in the Filipino nature to take care of the elderly.

I think there is a need for workers coming from different cultures.  Because most ageing people in Australia come from diverse cultures, and they are glad to have carers who know their languages and cultures.  

Because I come from a different culture, I can easily understand them and I enjoy it more because I also learn their cultures.

Maria: I am Maria, 80 years old.

Off-Screen Interpreter: Why is it important you have an aged care worker who understands your culture?

Maria: Because we understand each other.  And we are happy because we tell stories about the early days.  Because I’m already old and I need help because I’m sick.  

I have a little garden in the backyard. I like my orchid flowers.  Every morning, I get out there and speak with my plants.

The help is important to me here.

Jackie: When I’m here, I give her a shower.  I help her with house chores like vacuuming, washing the dishes, making the bed and listening to her stories.

Maria: We tell each other stories 

Jackie: and then laugh at our funny experiences.

‘Nanay’ (mother), do you remember when we went to a shopping centre, and then when I opened the car door, I could not fit in and you laughed a lot?

Maria: Oh yes, isn’t it? And you cannot get out! (LAUGHTER)  

Jackie: She’s kind. Funny. She laughs a lot and is cheerful.  One thing I have learned from ‘Nanay’ is to be happy in life. Whatever the problem.  

Maria: She’s so important for me because she’s very caring.  She’s respectful.  She calls me ‘Nanay’, she’s like a daughter to me.  I am very happy.

Jackie: It is rewarding to work in aged care because you can help the elderly.  Many people are getting old in Australia, therefore jobs in aged care are also increasing.

Tagalog Translation

Jackie: Ako si Jackie. Isa akong aged care worker at apat na taon na akong nagtatrabaho dito.  Pinili ko ang Aged Care kasi likas sa ating mga Pilipino ang pag-aalaga sa matatanda.

Sa tingin ko kailangan talaga ng mga manggagawa na galing sa iba’t ibang kultura, kasi maraming mga tumatanda ngayon na galing sa iba’t ibang kultura. Yung mga matatanda mas nasisiyahan sila na yung nag-aalaga sa kanila may kaalaman sa kultura at lengguwahe nila.

Galing din ako sa ibang kultura, mas mabilis ko silang naiintindihan at mas lalo akong nag-eenjoy dahil natututuhan ko rin yung kultura nila.

Maria: Ako si Maria, 80 anyos.

Off-Screen Interpreter: Bakit kailangang ang iyong tagapag-alaga ay nakakaintindi ng iyong kultura?

Maria: Kasi mag-intindihan kaming dalawa. Tsaka masaya kami kasi maka-istorya ako ng mga noong araw pa. Kasi matanda na ako. Kailangang-kailangan ko kasi maysakit ako.

Masaya ako dito, mag-isa lang ako dahil may little garden ako sa likod. Nagustuhan ko yung mga bulaklak kong orchids. Tuwing umaga pinupuntahan ko at kinakausap ang aking mga tanim.

Ang tulong, iyon ang importante sa akin dito.

Jackie: Pag naririto ako, pinapaliguan ko siya. Tinutulungan ko siya sa mga gawaing bahay, gaya ng pagba-vaccum, paghuhugas ng plato inaayos ko ang bed niya. Nakikinig ako sa mga kwento niya.

Maria: Nag-iistorya kami tapos tatawanan. 

Jackie: Yung nakakatawa na experience natin, Nanay.

Nanay, naalala mo ba yung nagpunta tayo sa shopping centre? Tapos pag-open ko ng pinto, hindi ako magkasya, tapos tawang-tawa ka sa akin? 

Maria: Oo nga pala, kasi hindi makalabas! (LAUGHTER)

Jackie: Kind siya, palatawa, masiyahin.  Isa sa natutuhan ko kay Nanay na magsaya ka sa buhay. Kahit ano’ng problema.

Maria: Masyadong importante kasi maalagain siya. May respeto. Tapos tinatawag niya akong Nanay, parang anak ko siya.Hapi na hapi ako.

Jackie: Sa Aged Care kasiya-siyang magtrabaho kasi nakakatulong ka sa mga matatanda.

Dumarami yung tumatanda sa Australya kaya dumarami rin ang trabaho sa Aged Care.

Last updated: 11 October 2021

Acknowledgement of Country

The Department of Social Services acknowledges the traditional country throughout Australia on which we gather, live, work and stand. We acknowledge all traditional custodians, their Elders past, present and emerging and we pay our respects to their continuing connection to their culture, community, land, sea and rivers.

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