workforce
Carer awarded for her spirit
A Victorian carer was recognised for her positive contributions during Covid-19 .
By Elise Hartevelt
Personal care assistant Maria La Marca has been honoured with an award for her stop-at-nothing attitude in supporting nurses and caring for patients .
Nursing agency , Caring for You , handed out the ‘ Can Do Attitude ’ prize to honour Maria ’ s limitless energy while working in Victoria ’ s Peninsula Health and Frankston Hospital . “ I just jump into anything ,” she said . “ If a ward has 30 beds and I ’ m assigned to one or two patients , and my patients are good , I ’ ll go to the other side and help them out . “ I can ’ t keep still . I ’ m everywhere .” The realisation that she ’ d won the award only dawned on her during the night ’ s event when she accepted the glass trophy and $ 500 cash prize .
Nominations had flooded in as she ’ d won over the hearts of healthcare workers , patients and nurses .
Fifteen years ago , she started her career as a personal care assistant in an aged care facility , where she stayed for close to a decade .
Then , she decided to shift to a hospital environment and work with people experiencing delirium or dementia .
“ If I could administer or check a patient ’ s drugs , I would do it all , but I ’ m limited in what I can do ,” Maria said .
“ If I can do something for patients or nurses , I ’ ll do it .”
She wasn ’ t always a personal care assistant – Maria began working as a machinist , sewing body armour and gun holsters .
Her first experience caring for someone came when her father was diagnosed with cancer , after which she and her mother nursed him while staying in the Alfred Hospital .
Then , 10 years after her father passed , her mother developed Parkinson ’ s and Maria cared for her throughout the illness as well .
“ After that , I realised that I needed a change ,” she said .
“ I applied for a carer position in a nursing home , and it opened my eyes .
“ I was very happy to go to work every morning ; over the 12 years working as a carer , I never missed a day .”
Last October , Maria had a very personal experience when she came across an Italian lady of 95 in the Covid wards who was close to passing .
Coming from a Sicilian family herself , she was struck by the lady ’ s close resemblance to her mother .
She ’ d asked the staff to come into the room to say a final prayer but was also hesitant due to Covid restrictions .
Maria heard the lady whispering , inviting her to come in .
“ She looked exactly like my mum ; the black hair and an Italian nonna . It brought back a lot of emotions .
“ I placed my hand on her chest and started to say Our Father . I said half of the Hail Mary , and then she passed .
“ I just jump into anything .
“ It was beautiful that I could be there to do that , and I felt so grateful because no one needs to die alone .”
During the pandemic , Maria saw how much help nurses need while working in flu and Covid-packed hospitals .
Currently , there are over 8,500 medical staff in isolation amid significant workforce shortages and strains on the healthcare system .
“ They are under so much pressure that they constantly need help ,” Maria said .
“ They ’ re there every day with passion because they need to be there .
“ I just try to make it a little bit easier for them .”
Maria has also noticed the toll the pandemic has taken on her body .
Especially as people get older , she ’ s found it harder to do things with them .
“ I ’ ll certainly be doing this for another five years , and if I can go on , I will ,” Maria said .
“ But it ’ s becoming a considerable strain on my body , and with everything out there – it is tough and sad .”
Luckily , the work pressure hasn ’ t taken the joy out of her job .
“ I ’ ve sat with patients looking at the sunrise – that was special ,” Maria shared .
“ Sometimes I just sit down with them and talk for a little bit , hold their hand and reassure them that they ’ re okay .
“ It ’ s very rewarding to see them get better .” ■ nursingreview . com . au | 27