Alison has been a carer with Hamilton George Care for over two years. We spoke to her about what she thinks makes a good carer and what she loves most about the world of care
Tell me a bit about yourself and your background
I was born in London, a cockney girl. My father was a medical student and mother was a nurse before he joined the Royal Air Force. I ended up in South Africa aged 10, when my father set up his own General Practice.
I've always had multiple, mostly creative, interests. From puppetry (I ran a puppet theatre!) to ballet (I was a teacher for over 20 years) and catering (I’m a natural organiser). With four daughters and four grandchildren life has been very busy. I involved myself heavily in their education, becoming Chairman of the Board at school as well as turning my attention to looking after youth at risk, working with social workers, guidance counsellors and teachers to help give them a better life.
I have always been someone who volunteers, steps in to look after others, and now my children have grown I wanted to do something for myself. Care seemed like an obvious choice.
Why did you want to be a carer?
I've always ‘cared’. My mother had my brother when I was five and I used to love looking after him. It’s in my nature to care. I think most good carers have that empathy - a need to make a difference. I was eight when my grandmother had a stroke and I remember feeling helpless, I wanted to know how to help. In later years I began caring for her. It was a very special experience and I felt honoured to be with her when she departed, in a dignified manner in her home. I believe everyone should be afforded that honour, if that is what they wish.
During Covid there was a lady who needed care work, and my daughter and I stepped in. It was a fantastic experience getting to know this wonderful independent woman, allowing her her independence but being there when she needed. Then my father needed care and I was glad to step in and be with him. When he passed away I realised my responsibilities at home were lessening, and within a few weeks I was in Scotland working for Hamilton George
What do you think makes a good carer?
Empathy is important. I think you need to be organised and structured so when things go out of kilter, everything isin place. There needs to be a skeleton and a routine, and within that you can be creative. You need to be disciplined with a good sense of humour. The client knows more about themselves than anyone else would so you have to listen.
The joy of being a carer is that unique insight you have into someone’s life, what gives them joy. If you can step back and understand this, then you make it happen so they have a fulfilled life. It’s also important to know when to be present and when to melt into the background - you feel your way. Be dependable but support their independence too.
What are the highs and lows of care?
I love seeing my client’s progress. Every day to see a little bit of change and growth - it’s such a highlight for me. If you can get them to have joy in their life, make them happy and bring out
their positivity. Then this in turn brings you joy.
However it is always sad to see a client unwell, or to pass away. You can feel their sadness and pain of the network around them. But you can always bring an element of happiness back, remembering their life. My daughter had a baby and I was so sad to miss such an important family moment but I speak and connect with them all regularly, and I don’t allow it to get me down.
How do you connect with your clients?
It’s important to find some common ground - this is where a good agency can help. Being placed with the right person in the first place is key. Knowing the basics, what they like to eat, what their hobbies are - this is the obvious stuff. But I want to make their life better than when I arrived, but without changing their interests or routines. Find out what they like and make it happen. Get to know the people in their lives, the family, even the dog and the cat. Of course
there are going to be boring or even painful situations, so either make a game of it or move on quickly.
What’s been a career/placement highlight so far?
The people themselves are highlights for me - I’ve looked after incredible people with incredible and interesting lives, just to know them is an honour. Everything is a highlight if you look at it in the right way. Baking the perfect loaf of bread can be a joy. When my client goes out to enjoy the garden, is able to speak with a friend, a client seeing the Christmas tree, seeing them have that happiness and appreciation is a highlight.
What advice would you give to someone considering working in care?
You have to know that you really want to do this. That you're able to step back from your life and walk into someone elses; their life is what is important. Although whilst you know you have to make the client a priority, you also have to make sure that you look after yourself. The very nature of someone keen on caring is that you are an empath and you do care and give, but you need to give to yourself to stay healthy and stable. If you dont care for yourself you can't care for the person you're caring for.
