They have more than 60 years of experience in the aged care industry between them.
And for Esther Arulogun and Jenny Boettcher, working with seniors living in Carinity aged care communities has been inspired by personal experience.
Esther's dedication to the elderly stretches over four decades and saw her presented with the Aged and Community Services Australia (ACSA) Lifetime of Achievement Award in 2018.
The Registered Nurse has worked at the Carinity Colthup Manor aged care community in Ipswich for 35 years.
"When I was younger, I was always a sick child and I was sent to hospital a couple of times, so I wanted to become a nurse to look after sick people," Esther says.
"I feel it is most meaningful to help the elderly people. When I see sick elderly people recover and they feel better they will say, 'Thank you so much', and it feels really good."
Jenny, an Assistant in Nursing at Carinity Wishart Gardens caring for residents living with dementia, has been supporting older Queenslanders for 27 years.
"I have personal experience with my father having had dementia and I have a particular love for people with dementia," Jenny says.
"To me they are very special people and even though their memories might not be the best, they're very sweet.
"I look after people how I would like to be treated myself. To make somebody smile and bring joy to their day, that's my goal when I come to work."
Esther and Jenny are two of around 1,100 dedicated Carinity employees who work to support seniors living in 11 Carinity residential aged care communities from Townsville to the Gold Coast.
Aged Care Employee Day on August 7 celebrates the contribution of the 360,000 aged care workers nationwide who care for and support around 1.3 million older Australians.
Carinity CEO Jon Campbell expressed his gratitude and admiration for the aged care employees doing invaluable work on a daily basis, particularly during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.
"Staff working in aged care and supporting older Queenslanders in their home have been coming to work every day with courage and the selfless determination to care for our most susceptible," Jon says.
"Aged care staff are part of something remarkable, necessary and valued: the care of our elderly. On Aged Care Employee Day, we take time to reflect on the care they give to others every minute of every hour of every day."
