AGE OLD QUALITIES IN AGED CARE
DOING an interview with Pip Downey takes a little longer than usual because everyone else, it seems, also wants to stop and have a yarn with her.
That’s what makes her so good at her job. The senior community manager at independent living retirement community, Ingenia Gardens, is as busy as can be (“I wear about 30 different hats every day,” she tells me) but there’s rarely an occasion when she doesn’t stop and spend time with a resident who needs it.
On any given day, Pip can be social worker and appointment manager, taxi driver and administrative assistant: “I do whatever the residents need me to do,” she says. “My job is to make life as comfortable and as easy as possible for them. That’s my passion. They’re the reason I’m here.”
Western region born-and-bred, Pip has been in this job for the past 11 years, but says a long career in the hospitality industry stood her in good stead for working in aged care. “Essentially, it’s like hospitality because this job is all about looking after the residents’ needs.”
Pip’s eyes light up as she talks about the rewards of spending her working day surrounded by society’s senior members.
“Every day I listen to and hear their stories, and it makes me realise how lucky we are today.
I had a resident here who has since died, but was a prisoner of war in Changi (Singapore) – every day I would take him a punnet of strawberries and sit down and listen to his stories.”
So it’s been like an 11-year history lesson?
“Oh for sure,” she beams. “I could write a book. Some of the stories they tell about having gone through such difficult times in history.”
For Pip, this isn’t just a job – each day is a life affirming exercise.
“Every day I wake up and say how grateful I am. That’s thanks to this job and the people I’ve met here. It’s made me realise how much we take for granted these days.”
As much as she loves her job, Pip says working in aged care isn’t for everyone.
“You have to be really patient, and patience is something I’ve had to learn. I come to work at 6am and often don’t leave until after 7pm, because I have to make the time to devote to residents if they stop and want to talk to me – it’s important to have that time to spend with them. You also have to be kind and able to empathise.”
Resilience is another essential
` If you have those qualities – kindness, empathy, patience – this can be a very rewarding career. That’s why I’m still here. a
requirement in this job, she says. “A lot of older people have no filter, so you need to have your armour on. You need to have respect for the older people you’re caring for, and remember that sometimes life hasn’t been easy for them.”
For anyone looking to a career in aged care, Pip says it’s essential to do your homework first.
“It’s a job you really have to want to go into, at least if you want to be good at it and effective in your work. Having a heart for it is the first thing you need. You can get qualifications along the way, but if you don’t have a heart for it, it’s never going to be as rewarding.
“If you have those qualities – kindness, empathy, patience – this can be a very rewarding career.
“That’s why I’m still here. I love it. I’ve been here 11 years and I just couldn’t imagine working anywhere else. The day I get up and don’t want to come to work, that will be the day I walk away.”