Susana Wong is a Care Professional at Homage. She began her career as a graduate nurse in the late 90s, rotating between geriatric evaluation management, subacute rehabilitation (geriatrics) and residential care.
After settling for subacute rehabilitation and working as part of a multidisciplinary team, her appreciation grew for elderly patients' challenges when they returned home. She understands how important it is for them to remain in a home setting, living their best life. All the knowledge and experience she gained from enhancing patient independence and level of functionality makes working for Homage all the more rewarding.
Aside from working with clients, a rewarding aspect of working for Homage is flexibility. Unlike her previous role, where Wong was called to work any time at short notice, Homage provides the flexibility of hours that respect personal commitments to family, which means stability at home and work. The only challenge she finds is deciding which visits to take that fit around her children's school hours and co-curricular activities.
"The most precious experiences I have had in my career have been discovering the stories behind the people I have cared for. They have imparted wisdom and understanding, allowing me to see the world through their eyes. It has taught me to value their individual lives for who they are and their contribution to society."
The staffing crisis is something Wong has seen evidence of first-hand - leaving her previous causal position when the stress experienced by the permanent staff leaked through the organisation. Very different from Homage, where support staff are always available for Care Professionals, and the environment is much more comfortable.
Wong considers home care different because of its personalised approach to care recipients. She can give her time and attention to one client at a time, allowing her to get to know each one individually and understand their needs. There is no hurry to get certain things done, like in a clinical or hospital setting, because the next shift is coming or the client has to attend another appointment. In-home care is client centred.
"For example, if a client has an activity at a certain time during my visit, I work around it to make sure it happens. Giving the client a sense of security and value."
Covid-19 is what Wong considers to be a catalyst for change. The aged care industry was able to enhance already existing services and the quality of life of clients. The Homage App is an excellent example of this, a fantastic tool used to navigate and schedule visits and house care plans and summaries.
Looking forward to the future, she hopes the industry will become even more person-centred.
For anyone just entering the workforce as a healthcare professional, Wong's top tip is to be open-minded and willing to explore opportunities when they present themselves. It is also important to remember that they act as carriers of hope for those in need. Offering presence and attention are significant in this line of work.
Personally, Susana Wong would like to do more work with families and help them navigate care for their elderly loved ones. She would also like to participate in more education to enhance the caring skills of future aged care workers.
