I was with a client yesterday who is utterly gorgeous. She is 84, she’s had cerebral palsy all her life, and she is the most determined person I have ever met. She is determined to stay at home. We need to make some changes to her home, to make sure it’s safe for her and also the care workers - but she doesn’t want changes. So we have to find a way to make this work. I’ve done some research into effective modifications to her home to support her desire to stay - so we were there just yesterday, demonstrating and triallIng the equipment, with the manufacturers and our own workplace trainer there too. She just doesn’t take any nonsense from anyone! In the end she looked at me and said, “ok – you’re a good salesman!” So she’s staying home, and we’ve found a way to make it happen and look after her – and she’s happy. That’s my job.
I am the Case Manager for around 60 clients. They are my focus. I help them in every way I can. I help them manage their budgets, I keep up to date with a whole range of products and services for them, look after home maintenance and modification needs, I order products and equipment, care services, social support groups – whatever they need. I work closely with our Rostering and Scheduling Team and the Care Team Manager to understand and meet their individual needs. I anticipate their needs, and make sure they are looked after. Some have high needs and need lots of attention, some are more independent, and it’s always changing.
I would hate for someone to come into my house and say, “Well, from now on your shower is going to be on a Thursday, you go shopping on a Tuesday, and that’s what you have to accept, because that’s what we have available to you”. That’s not how we work. All my clients are adults, and they are largely able to make their own decisions. It’s not for me to come in and tell them how to live their lives. Or force them into doing anything. Or take over their lives. But I’m there when things change, when problems arise, when a crisis strikes. I’m always there for them.
I started working part time. I had three school aged children and the flexible hours worked well for me. Early on, my manager felt I could give more to the organisation than the care-giver role. She wanted to retain me, she wanted to encourage me, she wanted to make better used of my skills. With her support, I now work at different times of the day or night, on the road or from home, with minimal time in the office. It works really well and I enjoy it.
The freedom and flexibility, and trust that Anglicare has allowed me has made it possible. I organise my day and give my time to my clients, they are my focus. It’s great. As a result, for over three years now I have been a full time Care Adviser - working flexible hours. It’s wonderful – my clients are happy, and I am too.
Thanks Jude for sharing your story with us. Some names and details have been changed to protect privacy.
If Jude’s role sounds appealing, why not visit Anglicare’s Careers page for more information on working for Anglicare.
