MORETHAN AWORKING RELATIONSHIP
B ecause of the nature of Home Care services and the impact carers have on customers’ lives, strong connections are often forged between customer and carer. One such connection was that between AnglicareSA Home Carer, Karen, and her customer, Judy. Their bond was built on a solid foundation of mutual affection and respect. Karen and Judy were paired at a time when they were both learning. Judy, who lives with Parkinson’s, was learning to accept that she needed some support at home. Karen was learning the role of Personal Care Worker after completing the required course. One of the defining moments in their relationship occurred soon after they met. “Judy had lost a lot of weight,” Karen said. “As she was walking through the shopping centre on this particular day, with the support of a walker, her pants kept falling down over her hips.” “All I could do was walk alongside Judy and hold the waistband of her pants. We got a lot of funny
Karen said that Judy’s attitude to people and life is amazing. “Judy is still Judy, her illness doesn’t change that,” Karen said. “Judy has taught me so much. She has taught me about her illness and how to care for her.” “We teach each other,” Judy added. Since their initial pairing Karen and Judy have developed a routine that involves Karen supporting Judy in a variety of daily activities, from Personal Care to Transport Services. AnglicareSA’s Home Care team supports older people to be as independent as possible in their own homes. More than 170 staff provide flexible, personalised services that give customers choice and control. Photo: Pictured above are AnglicareSA Home Carer Karen and customer Judy sharing a laugh. Sadly, Judy passed away after this story was written, however her family wanted her story shared in recognition of how fulfilling and enabling Judy's relationship with Karen was.
looks and giggled all the way home.” “After that, we just clicked,” Judy said.
L ifestyle Assistant at All Hallows, Steve Morley, runs an engaging gardening program for residents known as Green Fingers. Each week, Green Fingers participants come together to raise plants from seed, propagate plants and grow fruit and vegetables. Many All Hallows residents had beautiful gardens in their previous homes which played a big part in their lives. Green Fingers enables them to continue to experience the joy of gardening. Steve said the group gets a real sense of satisfaction and achievement from their gardening exploits. The seedlings grown are planted in the garden or sold in the GREEN FINGERS ONTHE SMALL SCREEN
café, with any money raised used to purchase materials for the Green Fingers program including tools and seeds. The group has made lovely potpourri bags, also available at the All Hallows café. There was a touch of celebrity at a recent Green Fingers session with a camera crew from Channel 9 attending to film an episode of In The Garden which hit the small screen in January and can be viewed at inthegarden.net. au/watch-summer-special-02 (starts at 15:20).
Photo: Pictured above are In The Garden host Kim Syrus and All Hallows Lifestyle Assistant Steve Morley with residents .
The Supporter Autumn 2017 — page 5
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