Today, on Residential Care Employee Day, RSL LifeCare would like to thank Nodolene for working in Residential Care

I’ve always wanted to work in Residential Care. A few years ago, once our youngest was settled in school and I was ready to do something more with my time, my husband suggested that I should follow my passion.

I’ve had an affinity with older people my whole life. I think part of the reason is because I was adopted when my parents were in their 40s; mum had grey hair and glasses and they were such lovely people. Their friends were lovely and I just felt so comfortable with them, I got on well with them and they were a big part of my life. Even before I worked in Residential Care I’d take the time to help older people – neighbours, friends – with their shopping or giving them lifts if they couldn’t drive. It’s just part of my nature.

I’ve been at RSL LifeCare for 3 years as a Carer and Recreation Activities Officer, so I have the best of both worlds.

We laugh a lot, we can be silly, take bus trips out and about. It’s fantastic.

– Nodolene

In my care role I look after 16 residents with another carer. We’ve recently moved to the new AIM system and I absolutely love it. It enables me to really get to know “my people” as I call them; I know their needs, their likes and exactly how they like things to be done. It’s more respectful. We can also see any changes that, though small, might be significant – the quality of their skin, their mood, their mobility – and we can communicate that with our nursing team. We can avert problems before they arise.

In my Recreation role I get to meet everyone in our care home while we entertain and have fun together in the lounge. We do word games, sing, read the paper, listen to music, talk, share morning tea. We laugh a lot, we can be silly, take bus trips out and about. It’s fantastic.

– Nodolene Condon. Carer and Recreation Activities Officer, Kokoda Care Home, ANZAC Village Narrabeen