A Day in the Life of a Homecare Support Worker

Introducing… Robyn Evans-Mcleod

Robyn has been working for Geneva Care for the past two years.  We spoke with her about her role as a Homecare Support Worker and the great job she does for our clients.

Describe a typical work day

There is no "typical work day" for me. Every day is different. I can be anyone from a caregiver, to a housemaid, to a cook, to a friend and a confidante.

What type of duties/tasks do you undertake in this role?

Tasks and duties vary as do the clients – from those injured as a result of an accident, to the elderly – all need assistance in varying degrees. The duties usually include assistance with showering, house cleaning and meal preparation. In fact, mostly I will be helping the client with whatever they're unable to do for themselves or maybe assisting with various activities. For palliative care clients, sometimes to just sit with them so they "never feel alone" as one client has said to me.

What are the hours like?

I enjoy the flexibility of the hours, most are not long but some tasks are quite labour intensive and 2-4 hours at once are physically enough. Occasionally one gets a client who wants a list of things done and the time allocated is not enough – we can only do our best.

What life/work experience did you have before becoming a homecare support worker?  

Before becoming a Carer/Support Worker, I worked as a Caregiver in Rest Homes for six years, for Hospitals in Brisbane and Care Agencies in Auckland for the last 9 years. I have my National Certificate Rest Home Care (now called ACE) have attended the usual Rest Home run courses e.g. Dementia Care, Health & Safety and First Aid.

What do you enjoy the most about your job?

I enjoy the one to one with a client – you have more time for this than in a Rest Home. With my clients at the moment, the only nursing type skills I’m using are showering and using a hoist. The others are house work and meal preparation.

The relationships I have with the people I deal with are important to me. Nothing is preconceived; I take a client as I find them. It is their home I am invited into and I’m there to attend to their needs. It's always nice to be appreciated and to be told "you've done a fantastic job, thank you so much".

Their trust and appreciation of a job well done to me is priceless. It is a privilege to be "asked for" again.  I thoroughly love my work and there is nothing I would change.

Check out our next article in June, which will cover the A day in the life of a Carer.

For more information please feel free to call Melinda McLaren on 0508 HOMECARE / 0508 466 322.

Contact Geneva Care

Phone: 0508 466 322
Email: homecare@genevacare.co.nz
Website: www.genevacare.co.nz

Note: the services described in the article are indicative of what you would expect from Geneva Care however this may differ from agency to agency.

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