Maggie, a Lifestyle Assistant at Regis Burnside in South Australia, did not set out to work in aged care, but after returning to the sector later in life, she says it gave her a renewed sense of purpose at a time she needed it most.
Maggie has been with Regis for nearly seven years, starting as a carer before moving into the lifestyle team, where she focuses on building relationships and supporting residents’ day-to-day wellbeing.
Before returning to aged care, Maggie’s career had taken her in a different direction. After starting out in healthcare earlier in her career, she later moved into hospitality, including managing a hotel while raising her family.
After a period of personal change, Maggie found herself starting again and looking for something more meaningful.
During a walk along the beach, she had a chance encounter that stayed with her.
“I met someone who said I’d make a good carer,” she said. “It wasn’t something I’d been planning, but it stayed with me.”
Within days, she had applied for a role, returning to aged care and beginning what would become a long term career.
“It just felt right,” she said.
Today, Maggie spends her time with residents running activities and getting to know their life stories, helping them feel valued.
“You learn so much about people,” she said. “I’m always in awe of what they’ve done.”
For Maggie, it’s the smaller moments that stay with her. During a recent footy tipping activity, one resident admitted he did not actually follow football.
“He said, ‘I just pretend because I like talking to you,’” Maggie said. “That’s what this role is really about.”
Moments like this remind Maggie how much those relationships mean, not just to residents, but to her as well.
Now living in the Adelaide Hills and balancing work with time spent caring for her grandchildren each week, Maggie says aged care has given her a role that fits alongside her life, as well as a sense of purpose.
“I’m very blessed,” she said.
Maggie’s experience reflects how people can enter aged care from different backgrounds, build new skills and grow into roles that are flexible, meaningful and centred on people.
