Honouring the heart of aged care 💚

As we celebrate Aged Care Employee Day on Wednesday 7 August, Merridy Schofield and Sarah Watson reflect on the dedication, skill and quiet strength that aged care professionals bring to their work – and the deep humanity that underpins it.

Aged Care Employee Day is an opportunity to recognise the dedication, strength and skill of the people who care for older Australians – often quietly, but always wholeheartedly.

From our residential aged care teams at Murray Mudge and Aldersgate to our Community Aged Care, Allied Health and Aged Care Assessment teams – we see your commitment, and we honour it.

Aged care is about so much more than services. It’s about relationships.

It’s about creating a sense of home. About listening, noticing, and responding to the needs of the person in front of you.

About knowing that small gestures – a warm meal, a friendly chat, or a gentle hand – can mean the world to someone. 

We thank all members of our aged care teams, including our: 

• support workers, care workers, nurses and lifestyle staff
• coordinators and clinicians 
• admin and office support staff 
• hospitality, garden and maintenance teams
• allied health professionals 
• aged care assessment teams
• managers and team leaders.

You each bring something essential. And your combined efforts create environments where older people feel safe, respected and supported. 

As the sector continues to evolve through reform, we remain focused on recognising your work – not just today, but every day.

We are proud to advocate for your value, and for the role you play in creating a more caring and connected future for older people. 

To our colleagues in aged care: thank you for the heart you bring to this work, for your dedication and compassion, and for caring when it’s needed most.

About the authors

Merridy Schofield has extensive management experience in residential aged care, home care, disability and retirement living spanning more than 30 years in South Australia and Victoria. With qualifications in social science, management, business and a postgraduate qualification in Dementia, Merridy has a genuine passion and commitment to making a meaningful difference in the lives of older people.

Sarah Watson has over 20 years’ experience in the community services sector. With a background in social work and postgraduate qualifications in business, Sarah maintains a focus on service quality through best practice approaches and transparent governance. Her knowledge across a range of social service sectors coupled with her experience in both senior management and governance roles brings a wealth of ideas and innovation to her role overseeing Community Aged Care services at Uniting Communities.