Employees in nursing and old people’s homes are bearers of hope. Through their work, they provide peace and balance. With every smile, they contribute to making the lives of the home residents brighter. Their work is important and influential. To illustrate this, we have found the top five reasons that make people want to work in elderly care.
1. Fulfil a childhood dream and become a hero
To be a hero or super woman one day – that is the dream of many children and even adults. A look at the dictionary shows that „hero“ does not only refer to Superman or Catwoman. A „particularly brave, self-sacrificing person who stands up for others“ is one definition. This description could also fit geriatric nurses. Heike Schopf sees it the same way. The deputy director of nursing services (PDL) at the Bethel Senior Citizens‘ Centre is fulfilling her childhood dream: „I knew early on that I liked helping people and taking care of them. To witness and be compassionate was my career aspiration“.
Read the complete interview with Heike Schopf here
„That is the core of the job,“ agrees Katharina Müller, head of BRK senior living in Buchenau. She tells about a resident: „He is almost deaf and dumb, but I was not aware of that at first“. After she notices that he cannot understand her, she enquires on the internet about sign language greetings. Müller surprises him with this the next day. The amiable senior’s joy is overwhelming. „He beams and shows other forms, such as good night and goodbye,“ says the facility manager. Where else can appreciation and care be fostered like in such encounters?
2. Experience success
Assisting seniors with dressing or administering medication is a hands-on activity. This has a great advantage: geriatric nurses can continuously observe the effects and successes of their work. Quite practically and vividly. For home manager Müller, it is an internship that convinced her of the meaningful work years ago. „The special thing is that residents live in the home for a long time, we build personal relationships and experience their developments“.
3. Change perspectives
Few people have the privilege in their profession to stand as a bridge between generations. Yet such an exchange is very valuable. Both, the older and the younger generation, can draw from experiences and stories and learn from each other. Müller tells of a special moment in the spring of 2020: „We have a resident who likes to go for walks. Unfortunately, because of Corona, this is not possible without restrictions“. The elderly woman finds it particularly unfortunate that she could not enjoy the flowering rhododendrons in the garden behind the house. This moved the home’s manager to bring the senior citizen a branch of rhododendrons the next day – from her own garden. The resident is very happy and makes a drawing of the plant. This example shows how enriching contact with older people can be.
4. Appreciation and variety
Professionals deal with many people every day, so no two days are the same. The work remains varied. There are various tasks: „Washing, preparing medication, serving food, caring for and assisting“ are some examples listed by Lea Schmidt, a young geriatric nurse. „Residents appreciate us very much and are grateful that we are there for them“. Home manager Müller has the same experience. „It is heartfelt when I come back from holiday and am greeted with an ‚Oh how nice that they are back'“. Appreciation runs like a red thread through the work.
Appreciation runs like a red thread through the work.
5. Secure job
Caring for the elderly is indispensable. In every society, everywhere in the world, there is a need for people to care for seniors. Finding a job is therefore usually easy. The fact is that more and more older people are living in Germany. This means that skilled workers will also be in demand in the future. A recent study by a German care facility also states that the shortage of personnel will continue to increase due to Corona. Moreover, nursing care for the elderly offers good career opportunities. The occupational field is wide-ranging and offers opportunities for specialisation or further training.
