Page 18 - You Magazine 9

CAREER
One of the many benefits of being a Support Worker is the variety of people that the role attracts. But while many believe it’s a young person’s game, there are still many rewards to be had for mature aged Support Workers too.
Mary has always been a hard worker, but it took her a while to find her ideal role. Now in her mid-60s, she left school early and went straight to work, typically always in sandwich bars or waitressing.
But at some point along the way, Mary recognised she had potential that was unfulfilled.
“I went on to re-educate myself to get a better job,” she says. “I went to business college to learn to type and do secretarial skills. However, I soon realised I am no typist.”
The long road
Rather than the office job she
had envisioned, Mary initially wound up working in a pharmacy. Through a friend, she later got a job in fax and email broadcasting, but after discovering she didn’t like working alone, was moved to the reception desk. Mary may not
have realised it at the time, but through undertaking a succession of different roles, she was actually edging closer to the one she was born for.
Mary eventually found herself in a demanding customer service role – one she remained in for at least a decade.
Fate, she says, then intervened. “My daughter lives with mental illness, but about nine years ago when I was 55, she was very ill, so I left my full-time position to be her carer.”
“I also took on a role looking after an elderly man that lived
near Penrith in Sydney. He was
the brother of a neighbour and he lived with dementia. I started out by doing his shopping, cooking
his meals and doing his washing.
I ended up taking him to all appointments and looking after his bills,” the now 65-year-old recalls.
A harsh initiation
Mary says the man, Reg, was a hoarder and his house was in a dreadful state.
Alongside refusing to shower, Reg also refused any outside help. After growing increasingly concerned about his physical and mental wellbeing, Mary called
an ambulance as she felt she’d reached the limit in terms of the help she could offer him.
Because he refused any additional assistance but still required 24-hour care, it was decided that the best option for Reg was to place him in a nearby nursing home. He sadly passed away less than a month afterwards.
How it started
By this time, Mary’s daughter was doing much better and no longer required her assistance.
18 2024 You