Meet Rosy, one of the most passionate aged care workers you’ll ever meet.
Rosy is originally from Indonesia, but after relocating to Australia many years ago, she decided to embark upon a career in aged care. She works at BaptistCare Maranoa residential aged care home in Alstonville, a small town located in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales.
Transitioning from home care to residential
Rosy started out her career caring for older people living at home in the community. With a young family to support, the shift work suited her lifestyle very well.
“Home care was wonderful, but I found it challenging over time,” explains Rosy. “I’d spend hours each day with my clients, for years and years. You can’t help but develop strong bonds. When they eventually passed away my grief was huge. It would take me months to recover.”
Just under three years ago, Rosy decided to transition into residential aged care at BaptistCare Maranoa aged care home. She still cares deeply for her residents and mourns them after they pass, but with a close-knit team to support her, she says it’s an entirely different experience.
“Maranoa feels like home, and the team there is like family,” says Rosy. “We look after each other as a team.”
Life as a dementia care worker
“When I first joined the Maranoa team, I requested to work in the dementia wing,” says Rosy. “Many people were surprised as this work can be challenging, but I find it special and deeply rewarding.”
Rosy and her team look after 24 residents in the wing, all of whom are living with various stages of dementia.
“I just love bringing a smile to their faces,” says Rosy. “Even though some are living with the advanced stages of the condition, they somehow still know me. When I’ve been off for a few days, they ask ‘Where were you?!’ I always find that amazing.”
Rosy says building strong relationships with the residents and their families is a privilege, and makes the role particularly fulfilling.
“It brings me joy to bring them joy,” she says. “When it’s my day off, I miss going to work – I love being with my residents and caring for them.”
Life outside of work
Rosy has an equally fulfilling life outside of Maranoa.
With three children, ages 17, 12, and 7, she’s often taking them to various sporting activities and revelling in their successes.
“My eldest is in Year 12 and wants to study to become a registered nurse after she graduates,” gushes Rosy proudly. “I encouraged her to come and work at Maranoa and get a feel for what it’s like to work in aged care – she took me up on it and is loving the experience.”
Rosy is also passionate about health and fitness and loves to take time out during her week to go to the gym, practice yoga, weightlifting, and maybe jump into the odd Zumba class!
And, as a social butterfly, she enjoys spending quality time with her friends too.
“With most of my immediate family still in Indonesia, my friends and extended family here are an amazing support network. We spend a lot of time together,” she says.
Rosy’s tip for healthy ageing?
For Rosy, it’s about keeping a positive attitude and learning to be content with what you have.
“Of course, you have to take care of yourself physically,” she says. “It’s important to eat well, exercise regularly, and look after your skin. But learning to practice gratitude for what you have and looking outward and not inward makes a big difference to our overall health and wellbeing.”
Rosy says she is not rich, but every day feels unbelievably lucky to have her beautiful family and a job that brings her so much joy. She can’t help but smile and want to give back.
