Care home residents ‘not just eating and sleeping’ but finding new careers
Care home residents are not 'just eating and sleeping', but are starting new jobs as housekeepers, gardeners, maintenance men and even as an official photographer.
The jobs available have been described as ‘limitless’ by care group Westgate Healthcare with roles at each of its care homes “adapted to suit our residents and their personal interests”.
Juliana Mensah, care home manager at St Paul’s Care Centre says: “Giving residents jobs, makes them feel responsible; gives them an identity. They’re not just eating and drinking and sleeping.
“Work is not only helpful for the residents themselves but also other residents, staff and the care home."
Seventy-four-year-old Brenton Neal has continued to pursue his lifelong love of photography while living in a care home, thanks to his appointment as official photographer at St Paul’s Care Centre in Hemel Hempstead.
Brenton Neal, who has dementia says: “I’m very happy to have a role as resident photographer as this was my job before I retired. I love that I get to take photographs at St Paul's, especially capturing activities and day trips.”
