For care and support worker Lynne, taking care of people runs in the family.
“My mum always had older people she visited and helped – we used to refer to them as ‘Mum’s oldies’,” she says with a laugh.
“Mum was the emergency contact for about five people on her street at one point. That’s the example I’ve always had. Finding ways to help people is something I’ve grown up with.”
Helping people is what Lynne has continued to do through her long career in the care and support sector, working across disability employment, veterans’ home care and now aged care.
She says that aged care and disability support share similarities. “It’s all about providing care and equipment to assist people to live their best life, just that life may look different and activities they wish to do may vary.”
Her supervisor in veterans’ home care recommended her for her current role as an aged care client advisor, which is based in a regional office.[BC1]
Lynne is now responsible for pairing older people with aged care workers, which is something she has always been interested in. She says it’s not just about finding the right aged care worker for the older person, but also the right person for the worker.
“Neither of you will enjoy it or get something out of it unless you both find that connection in some way. You need to really trust each other and have the confidence to work together,” says Lynne.
“What’s right for one person might not be right for another. I worked with an older woman who suffers anxiety and does not like strangers in her home. We were careful to match her with an aged care worker who would accept her without judgement and quietly complete tasks. It’s about recognising that we’re all different. ”
It’s for this reason that Lynne believes having a diverse care and support workforce is crucial.
“The older people that we work with are all unique individuals, so we need a really diverse group of workers to care for them,” she says.
Lynne says that the advantage of having people who offer care coming from varied backgrounds and experiences is that they can connect with people in unique ways.
“They may be able to discuss cars with someone who worked in the automotive industry, farming with someone with this background, or enjoy cooking with an older person whose passion is cooking,” she says.
Diversity is a huge part of what makes Lynne’s job so enjoyable. “Not only are you meeting people from all walks of life, but the job itself is always different.”
“The support we provide varies as much as the individuals we help,” she says. “Sometimes it’s being a friendly visitor, sometimes it’s ensuring practical care and equipment, sometimes it’s working with the family to ensure their loved one is getting the appropriate care.”
Lynne believes being able to connect with older people is one of the most important skills a care and support worker can have.
Formal qualifications can help but aren’t always necessary to get started in the sector, she says.
“I’ve seen nurses transition into the sector, but I’ve also seen former carpenters who have been just as good at the job. It’s more about people-skills than anything.”
The care and support sector is a dynamic, growing industry with a wide range of roles and opportunities for people with diverse skills, experiences and backgrounds.