‘Sometimes I see my own clients more than I see my own family’

Our frontline workers have been hailed as the heroes of the pandemic, among them the health care workers who look after people in their own homes right through the worst waves of Covid-19 infections.

One of those more than deserving of the title hero is Moynalty woman Paula Molloy who despite her own health fears worked through all the lockdowns to keep her clients safe and comfortable.

Paula worked throughout the pandemic, despite having undergone treatment for a rare cancer in 2017 and having concerns about her own immunity.

“I enjoy the work and feel I make a difference to people's lives, so I was happy to continue” says Paula who lives in Newcastle, Moynalty.

“The early days of the pandemic in particular were very difficult.

“We had to ensure that everyone was safe and I had my own concerns having been sick a few years ago.”

Healthcare assistants like Paula played a pivotal role in helping and supporting people in their own homes during the pandemic.

They quickly adapted to a new way of working from the onset of Covid-19, including additional training and the correct use of PPE to protect themselves and their clients.

“At the start of the pandemic, we didn't know what was going to happen. We had to keep things as normal as possible for our clients.

“The clients I go to were all fully aware of the situation and I was dressed in PPE - gloves, apron masks so that they and I were protected.

“Some calls were reduced – where clients had family living at home who weren't going out to work because of lockdown.

“It was worrying because many of my clients have underlying conditions and if they ended up with the virus they wouldn't have stood a chance.

“It has been very busy, but the clients have been great and we all worked to get through it.

“Vaccination has been a big help, our clients and the healthcare workers are all vaccinated and it takes a lot of pressure off.”

Paula, who is married with two grown up children was named as ‘Carer of the Year’ in 2019 and has been working as a healthcare assistant for the last seven years.

She feels the Covid period has brought her closer to her clients.

“For them, there’s less of their family coming into them. Some days I might be the only person that they see because of Covid, except for some of the family who lives in with them. Most wouldn’t see their grandchildren.”

Paula had to take time out in 2017 when she was diagnosed with liposarcoma, for which she had surgery and chemotherapy, but she was glad to return to work.

Unfortunately last May, a routine scan identified more tumours.

“I just had surgery this time. They removed the tumours and seven lymph nodes and everything was clear.”

Her dedication to her role, has seen Paula return to work, just last Friday and she was looking forward to seeing her clients again.

She explained how their relationships developed.

“I’ve been going to some of my clients since I started with Comfort Keepers.

“You get to know them and their families. You nearly get too attached to them. You can’t help that. In some instances, I see them more than I see my own family.

“Some calls you could be on three times a day; morning, lunch and evening. You build up a very good relationship with them.”

According to Paula, the most rewarding aspect of her job is the feeling that she’s making a difference in her clients’ lives.

“The clients are waiting for you to come in and are looking forward to it.

“They get so used to you being there. Some clients, when I started with them, had never had carers, they didn’t want carers and now wouldn’t be without them. “It’s great to be able to help them with things that they’re not able to do for themselves.

Especially people who live on their own.

“I have quite a few clients that live on their own. Even to just change the beds or put fresh laundry on for them makes all the difference. That’s a good feeling.”

It’s not only the clients that benefit from Paula and her colleagues’ work.

Their families recognise the importance of the carer too. “The families know that their loved one is being looked after and that you’re helping them, especially in situations where the family is out working and not back until evening time.”

Paula worked in a nursing home before taking on her current role and spent 20 years in office work before that.

She appreciates the variety in her current role. “I wouldn’t go back to the nursing home environment, working 12-hour shifts in the one place. I found that very hard. I like the variety now, moving around and seeing somebody different all the time.”

Sometimes her clients are simply looking for a chat, as Paula may be the only person that they see that day. She enjoys the sense of community the role gives her. Most of her clients live within a 10-mile radius. “Nine times out of ten when I get a call about a new client, I would already know that person.”

Paula's employer Comfort Keepers is currently recruiting with at least 60 roles to be filled this year in Meath.