READY TO LISTEN: Carinity Colthup Manor aged care chaplain, Jack Teepa with resident Leila Turner.
THE recent Aged Care Employee Day celebrated the rewarding and meaningful work of those who take care of elderly people.
Amongst the thousands acknowledged for their dedication was registered nurse Esther Arulogun.
Esther has worked at the Carinity Colthup Manor residential aged care community in Ipswich for 37 years.
“When I was younger, I was always a sick child and I was sent to hospital a couple of times, so I wanted to become a nurse to look after people,” Esther said.
“It is most meaningful to help the elderly people. When I see sick elderly people recover and they feel better they will always say, ‘thank you so much’.”
For Jack Teepa, the best thing about his role as chaplain at Carinity Colthup Manor aged care is “is contributing to making it a happy and safe place.”
“Aged care chaplaincy is particularly important because older people need to be heard, listened to, acknowledged, respected, and valued.
They need reassurance that they are still loved and appreciated,” he said.
Esther and Jack are two of more than 1,100 Carinity employees involved in providing care for seniors living in 12 residential aged care communities or supported through in-home care services.
Executive Manager of Carinity Aged Care, Heidi Dowse, paid tribute to the Carinity employees who selflessly care for Queensland seniors, particularly during the trying times of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Our professional, compassionate and diligent staff have continued their fantastic care for our residents during a difficult time, going above and beyond to deliver the best of care for these seniors,” Heidi said.
“I thank them for their exemplary commitment to support some of their community’s most vulnerable
people, while helping them to live with purpose every day.”
