Carmen Marsh loves her job as a Uniting AgeWell Home Care Worker in Launceston. Her only regret is that she didn’t get into aged care sooner. The mother-of-two worked in the retail and hospitality industries before deciding in her mid-40’s that she wanted to follow her heart and study aged care.
Carmen supports local couple Di and Steve Wright. The services they receive includes housework and respite care through Di’s government-funded home care package.
Di has dementia and her husband, Steve, is her carer - a role that is both rewarding and exhausting. When Carmen goes out with Di for walks, or chats with her at home, Steve uses the time-out to recharge his batteries. He mainly goes on long walks, enjoying the beautiful Tasmanian scenery.
“Di always lights up when I arrive,” explains Carmen. “She talks to me about all sorts of things. I’m happy that I have made her feel comfortable and safe around me. I’m also very touched that she thinks that I am someone special in her life.”
Not just in Di’s life! In Steve’s too. “She’s a fourth daughter to us” says Steve. “We’d be lost without her compassion, wisdom and care.”
“I absolutely love each and every day,” says Carmen. “It’s really great to be in a role where I can make a difference. This is my forever job – I never want to leave!”
She has nothing but praise for Tasmania North Home Care Program Manager Ann Bingham and the supportive team at Uniting AgeWell. “I also love that I am learning so much through work; hands-on training that books can’t teach you. Like helping people with dementia.”
International Women’s Day on 8 March is an opportunity for Uniting AgeWell to reaffirm its commitment to creating truly inclusive career pathways for all its employees. It’s also a chance to celebrate their journeys and the daily impact women make through their work.
Inclusion is enshrined in Uniting AgeWell’s DNA with employees of all ethnicities, cultures, sexual orientation, religious beliefs - and ages - championed.
One of the not-for-profit organisation’s top five strategic priorities is to be an Employer of Choice, and as part of its investment in staff, has introduced the Uniting AgeWell Scholarship Program.
Uniting AgeWell has also introduced comprehensive training and education workshops for care workers in both residential and home care settings across the organisation to hone their skills and learn new ones.
Ann says Carmen is an example of how a career in aged care is both rewarding and meaningful. “There are so many opportunities for growth, we champion our employees to be the best version of themselves. We ‘grow’ and support them.”
Uniting AgeWell also offers flexible working hours, which affords many people the opportunity to balance doing impactful work with meeting family responsibilities.
Learn more about careers at Uniting AgeWellOn International Women's Day and every day in many ways, women employed by Uniting AgeWell are making a difference to people’s lives.
This is an opportunity to recognise the impact of valued members of the Uniting AgeWell team and to re-affirm our commitment to providing truly inclusive career pathways.
