With Coronavirus having thankfully reached a peak, this year’s Carers’ Week (8-14 June, 2020) will be an especially poignant one for so many people.
Having witnessed communities coming together like never before, friends and family doing their utmost to help loved ones through a time of forced separation, and key workers going above and beyond their calls of duty, Red Homes this week shines a spotlight on three different carers who have and continue to make a difference in their individual care roles.
Tracy’s Story
Tracy Ferguson is a classic sandwich generation daughter.
Very close to her mum always, and as they both grew older together, Tracy naturally fell into the role as cook and cleaner for her during evenings and at weekends.
For the first few years, Tracy didn’t mind doing all the things that her mum couldn’t – she saw it as a chance to return the lifetime of love and care she’d received.
There were days, however, that being the primary carer became overwhelming, especially with a family of her own to look after.
Tracy, who lovingly cared for her mum for three years prior to the time the family decided that a care home was a better, safer environment.
She said:
“There were days that I was just so exhausted after having done a full day at work, and then having to pick up at home and then be there for mum.
It was after a bad fall, which resulted in mum having a complete hip replacement,” added Tracy. “She never quite recovered and, even though community carers were coming in daily to bathe her and administer her medication, she also needed help with rehabilitation and walking, which was beyond my physical capability.”
Tracy had heard about Red Roofs’ excellent reputation and so it was a natural first choice. Fortunately for Tracy, her mum and their family it has surpassed their expectations.
As Tracy continues:
“The staff at Red Roofs are absolute diamonds, all of them. They care for my mum as if she were their own, the home is immaculate, and you can just tell that the other residents are cared for just as much. It’s a lovely warm environment, a real home from home and, most importantly, my mum sees it as her home.
Being a carer must be really tough at times. You have to be a special kind of person to do it well. You have to have a really caring nature, have the patience of a saint with their residents (and their families!) and you have to know how to make other people feel loved and good about themselves. I take my hat off to everyone at Red Roofs and thank them from the bottom of my heart – they are all very special indeed.”
Beth’s Story
Beth is one of the newest additions to the Red Homes family, and the impact she has made in the relatively short time she has been with the Group has been immense.
Beth originally joined Red Rose as a staff nurse, but was quickly promoted to head of the memory community.
She says:
“The most rewarding part about working in care is improving the quality of our residents’ lives and seeing the difference my work makes to them.”
Person-centred care is something Beth is particularly passionate about and is the cornerstone of every residents’ unique care plan. She ends by saying:
“I absolutely love nursing, it’s what I have always wanted to do, and Carers’ Week is such an important time to recognise those who care for friends and relatives both at home and within care settings. As a carer myself, I take my hat off to every individual who is doing their bit.”
Louise’s Story
As a younger carer at 16-years-old, Louise Human has followed in the footsteps of her mum Anita Human, former general manager at Red Court Care Community.
After being inspired by her mum’s work, Louise felt she could use her positive, caring attitude to make a difference to those living at Red Court.
“Initially, I was nervous about looking after residents, especially during the Covid-19 crisis but after a while – and adjusting to the many changes we put in place, there were many positives to be gained and I could see that my involvement was making a difference.
I really love making people happy and I get so much back from that, and I know it’s why I’m in the job that I am. Sometimes, people can’t believe how young I am to be in the role that I am, but that doesn’t bother me – my advice is, if care comes naturally to you, I would absolutely endorse it as a profession.
The people you meet, the stories you hear make every day so unique and to really know that you are making a difference to their lives and wellbeing is a phenomenal feeling.
This Carers’ Week, I’d like to say thank you to each and every one of my colleagues – team work is essential when it comes to care and without them, I couldn’t do my job.”
