Aged Care Employee Day: thank you for caring David

From caring for Mum to caring for others: David finds his passion

Since joining Juniper in October last year as a Community Support Worker, David Gregory has unearthed a long-held passion for working with older people in the community.

With his mother currently a resident at Juniper Rosemount Retirement Living Village, David stepped in as her carer and realised how much he had loved supporting her to be more independent at home.

The idea of being paid to help care for others was one that stuck with David, who decided to do his Certificate III in Aged Care to become a support worker.

For the past 10 months David has supported Juniper Home and Community Care clients in their own homes, stretching from East Perth to Ellenbrook.

“It’s really empowering to be able to support clients to stay at home for longer,” David said.

“I also get to build relationships with the people I support, which has been really rewarding.”

Having previously worked in retail, the role marks David’s foray into the aged care sector.

“I can’t think of a more 180-degree shift in career change,” he said.

“I really wanted to do something different that was more meaningful, and aged care seemed like it would be a rewarding career.

“I really feel that people from all walks of life can be in aged care.”

Backed by a supportive team, flexibility and regular clients, David said working with Juniper has been a great experience.

“Juniper is the most compassionate organisations I’ve ever worked for,” he said.

“We take a person-centred approach and for me that means I get to know my clients well because I’m providing that one-on-one support and I can find out what my clients need and be able to proactively respond to them.

“I love that I get to help someone live their best life and be the best that they can be in their own home and community.”

David said Aged Care Employee Day is a great way to acknowledge and celebrate the work that aged care workers do each day.

“It is so beautiful that the community and employers give aged care workers recognition for the work that we do to support older people in the WA community,” he said.

“I know that when I get home at night, I feel so rewarded for the work I do each day.”