Independent elderly are happier to have home-care assistance

PERSONAL care worker Margaret Walters says older people are staying in their own homes thanks to better services being offered for in home care.

AFTER working for 20 years in retail, Margaret Walters swapped selling Lotto tickets for looking after those who needed it most - people in aged care homes.

Mrs Walters (pictured), worked in aged care homes for about 11 years before taking a role as an in-home personal carer.

"My father was quite ill and I was sort of caring for him a little," she said.

"He went into a nursing home and I was offered a position as a carer and I thought this is something I can do'."

For the past four-and-a-half years Mrs Walters has been working for RSL Care, which means assisting clients in their homes.

Not strictly aged care, Mrs Walters, who has a certificate-three qualification in aged care, says the job satisfac-tion comes with allowing people who may otherwise have to move to a home, to live independently.

"I get pleasure from assisting people with their daily needs. I guarantee you people really appreciate," she said.

"It's all about assisting, not doing everything for them. It keeps them independent," Mrs Walters said.

She said more people are staying in their own homes as opposed to moving into care homes and attributed that to better services being offered for in home care.

Originally published as Independent elderly are happier to have home-care assistance