Bay Talk chatted with Phillip and Annaliza from Big Heart Carers in Port Elizabeth. "We are a team of caregivers who work with integrity, honesty, and above all, a genuine passion for the job at hand. We have a love for people."
Phillip, the founder of Big Heart Cares, shared with us the passion and purpose behind Big Heart Carers. “Big Heart Carers was launched in the early stages of 2017. We are and always will be caregivers that will stand out above the rest. We have a unified goal. That is to treat all patients with the dignity that they deserve in the surroundings of their own homes. We are a team of caregivers who work with integrity, honesty, and above all, a genuine passion for the job at hand. We have a love for people and besides the caregiver duties, we also cater to the patient's need to get away and do shopping as well as basic outdoor exercise.
We have worked with stroke patients, dementia, Alzheimer's patients as well as amputees. Our caregivers are available from a minimum of 4 hours a day to 24hours a day. Weekly checks and discussions with the client will be conducted by me. We will create individualized care plans, monitor medication usage, and assist them with their daily needs. This included housework, preparing meals, transportation, and providing good old-fashioned companionship. It is important that each of our patients can trust and depend on us as a caregiver and a friend. Working in private homes has allowed us to give more personalized attention to our patients.
Our slogan '' we care'' is short and self-evident. We care about your health your well-being, and your dignity is maintained. We care that you receive professional service with patience, understanding, and a smile. We look forward to bringing our craft, passion, and experience to more of Port Elizabeth's elderly and frail.”
It was evident that Phillip believes and lives out his calling with a true compassion and love towards people. Annaliza is a nurse at Big Heart Carers and shares more with us.
Q: Why do you want to be a care giver?
A: God made it my life’s purpose and what He required of me.
Q: How Do You Deal With Patients Who Refuse to Bathe, Eat Their Meals, or Take Their Medicine?
A: The patients never refuse but they react on how you treat them, so every situation and the patient must be assessed. Some are fearful for the sound of water, other don’t eat certain foods. As a carer need to analyse, adapt and improve and gain trust.
Q: Do you have experience working with patients who have Alzheimer's, Dementia, Parkinson's, or Another Chronic Illness?
A: Yes I do and I have the utmost respect, love, compassion and empathy for the patients and the families.
Q: Can you give an example of when you went out of your way to care for a patient?
A: Well, I worked for a patient and was employed on the basis that she was on her last and would not live to her 3 months The patient lived 6 more months and the family couldn’t afford to pay me. I stayed on working with no salary till the day they took her to the family's holiday home to say goodbye. On the night they brought her back, she passed on. The family still wanted to compensate me after the estate was handled but I refused because I did it out of love for my patient and God would have done the same.
Q: How do you connect with patients and offer emotional?
A: Emotional support or connecting differ from patient to patient. You need to make them feel safe and trust you in their own environment before you could be called their carer. Before that, you are just an employee that works there until they accept you.
Q: How does your skills quality you for this job?
A: My skills assist me with my job but God qualifies me for it.
Q: What made you apply to work at Big Heart Carers?
A: Big Heart Carers approached me as they heard about me through a former carer and I felt their cause can be used to pick up and build a proper place for the need in Port Elizabeth.
Q: What do you do to motivate yourself to work hard in times when you are lacking motivation?
A: I motivate myself by my Angus Buchan message in the morning, placing my feet firmly on the ground and telling the devil that whatever plans he had for me, are out the door! God’s plans are starting now and I will never look back because God has my back while I do what He expects of me.
Q: What made you become a professional caregiver?
A: I learnt from a young age from my gran what it means to care for someone. Be it a person you know or not. We are all God’s children and need to be helped.
Q: Are you quiet or talkative?
A: Quiet, because I like to observe and in that way handle a situation to it’s best.
Q: What kind of hobbies do you have?
A: Reading, baking, gardening and fishing.
Q: What is your policy for communicating with a client and their family members?
A: I believe that complete honesty with empathy goes a long way. People are not stupid, they are just not educated and the better we help them understand, the better we can make their life. We can make it easier for a patient as well.
Bay Talk would like to thank Annaliza and Phillip for their openness, honesty and sharing a walk with us. As I left them after our meeting, I felt in awe of their humbleness and caring hearts. Trusting those we love with others are never easy, but our readers can rest assured that there are still people left in this world that cares and Big Heart Carers really cares!
Article by Stella Ashworth for Team Talk.
Nurse at Big Heart Carers.
We are a team of caregivers who work with integrity, honesty, and above all, a genuine passion for the job at hand. We have a love for people.
We would love to hear from you and find out how we can assist you or your family. Visit our website at www.bigheartcarers.com