The amazing work of aged care workers is recognised throughout Australia on Wednesday, August 7, on Aged Care Employee Day (ACED) and the Greek Orthodox Community of South Australia’s (GOCSA) Ridleyton Greek Home for the Aged (RGHA) is pausing to recognise and celebrate the hard work and commitment of its aged care employees.
In its sixth year, ACED is a national day registered with awarenessdays.com. It acknowledges the more than 370,000 people who care for and support around 1.5 million older Australians who receive aged care services.
At RGHA, nurses, personal care workers, chefs, cleaners, gardeners, laundry staff, lifestyle coordinators and administration staff play a vital role in the lives of older people and their families, offering not only medical and physical care but also emotional support and companionship.
Bill Papazafiropoulos is the Lifestyle Coordinator at RGHA and said he values the impact he can have on the lives of elderly members of the community.
“Caring for the elderly is a way to honour and give back to those who have shaped our lives. Knowing that my efforts enhance residents’ quality of life, is incredibly motivating,” he said.
“The best part of caring for the elderly is the meaningful connections I build with them. Witnessing their resilience, hearing their life stories, and providing comfort during their golden years can be incredibly rewarding.”
RGHA has called on the Greek and broader South Australian community to show gratitude to those caring for older Australians by saying “Thanks for Caring” this national day.
“Aged Care Employee Day is more than just a day of celebration. It is a day of recognition, appreciation, and reflection. It is a day to recognise the invaluable contributions of aged care employees, appreciate their dedication and compassion, and reflect on the importance of quality aged care,” Thuy Phan, RGHA Director of Clinical Services, said.
“I would like to express my deepest gratitude to all our employees for their hard work and dedication they demonstrate daily.”
Con Dalagiorgos, GOCSA General Manager Community and Corporate Services, added that “aged care employees are not just employees but a vital part of our community, ensuring that our elderly live their twilight years with dignity, care, and respect. We want to take a moment and thank them for their invaluable contributions.”
More than 4.2 million Australians are estimated to be 65 years or older, with the number of Australians over 85 years set to double by 2042.
