Passion for Care
Today, I’m talking to Lisa to find out why her passion for care has not diminished after many years of experience. She says. “I began my career in care at the age of eighteen as a Healthcare Night Assistant at Martlets Hospice in Hove.”
Palliative Care
I’m immediately impressed. She continues, “I worked alongside a District Nurse and learned everything about palliative care.” She says, “There is so much you can do to make the last moments special for the patient and their family.”
Care Qualifications
Although Lisa was a keen horse-rider and had plans to go to agricultural college, she knew she was on the right career path working in Care. She reached NVQ level 3 in Health & Social Care and later, level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health & Social Care.
Dementia Care
After the Martlet’s Hospice, Lisa then went on to work for four years at a sixty-six-bed Dementia Nursing Home. (also known as EMI, Elderly, Mentally, Infirm). Lisa explains, “I really learned how to communicate with people living with dementia and I can share these skills with Kingsway Care.”
Senior Care Manager Role
Kingsway Care is lucky to have such an experienced and passionate Senior Care Manager join the team. I ask Lisa more about her current job role. She says, “I’ve introduced block scheduling which means I plan each CareGivers route so they don’t have to rush or hang around in-between seeing Clients.” She laughs, “It is like a big puzzle to work out each week but I really enjoy doing it. I know it makes a big difference to the CareGivers.”
She adds, “I also like to introduce CareGivers to their clients and make sure there is continuity”. She says, “It must be so worrying to let a stranger into your home to look after you. I like to be there to help build the relationship from the beginning.”
Training CareGivers
Lisa will also be training CareGivers at the Kingsway Care Academy in skills for personal care such as ‘manual handling’ and sharing her knowledge on how to communicate with people living with dementia. She tells me, “I also want to introduce a role-playing course for every CareGiver to complete before stepping into a Client home. It will build their confidence which can only be a good thing for Kingsway Care Clients.”
Why Kingsway Care?
I have to ask why Lisa chose to work at Kingsway Care? “It’s such a happy, fantastic working environment, I feel supported and valued and we all respect each other and pull together.” She enthuses, “It all starts at the top and filters down. Olly, the Managing Director chooses to visit Clients every morning, seven days a week, and always says thank you for our hard work. We receive Just Eat vouchers in recognition for jobs well done and tonight we’re having an ‘Evening of Thanks’ dinner at the GingerMan.”
Making a difference
Since joining Kingsway Care, Lisa has moved mountains to reunite Mr & Mrs M in their own home after they were transferred to separate care homes. Read the next story to find out what a difference Lisa is making to Kingsway Care Clients.
