‘With Kalyra, I could see a future path’
As a former sales representative, Lisa Lewis has always excelled at connecting with people. After bringing her skills to the aged care sector in 2013, she discovered a field where meaningful connections matter even more. Now, as a Home Care Coordinator with Kalyra, Lisa has created a career that perfectly aligns with her passions and goals.
More than a job
Every weekend when Lisa was a child, her mother would take her to see her grandparents. Lisa loved these visits, and although her grandparents have since passed, the warmth and connection she felt as a child instilled in her a life-long affinity with older people.
So, after building a career in sales and administration, moving into the aged care sector felt like a natural fit. At Kalyra Belair, Lisa connects with clients every day, and she’s found that they give her just as much as she gives them.
“Many of our clients have led such interesting, amazing lives,” Lisa says. “When you talk with them, they’re these incredible encyclopedias into our past. Sometimes, it can feel like you’re spending time with your grandparents, which is nice.”
After beginning her journey with a different aged care provider, Lisa is grateful she made the switch to Kalyra in 2018. Here, she’s found a human touch that adds deeper meaning to her work as a Home Care Coordinator.
“At Kalyra, our caseloads are relatively small, which is a really good thing. That means I get to connect with clients directly. So, say a client needs a new recliner, you can go through the assessment phase with them right through to buying the chair and visiting them to see how it’s working, so it’s really satisfying.”
But perhaps the most satisfying part of Lisa’s role has been helping those who don’t have anyone to support them.
“I’ve worked with a couple of disadvantaged people who didn’t have any family. One client had been homeless. Seeing the improvement in his quality of life once he was housed and being able to help him – that was very satisfying.”
Encouraged to learn and grow
As a Home Care Coordinator, Lisa and her team ensure older South Australians can maintain their independence and quality of life while staying in their own homes. This support spans a wide range of areas, including gardening, personal care, cooking, shopping, cleaning, physiotherapy and healthcare.
Since entering the aged care sector, Lisa has always aspired to step up to a coordinator role, and she credits Kalyra with giving her the opportunity to achieve just that.
“When I started at Kalyra as a Home Support Worker in 2018, I shared with my manager that I wanted to work towards the Home Care Coordinator position. They arranged for me to work as a Scheduler so I could come in and see what a Home Care Coordinator does. So, that’s what I did. And then when a vacancy came up, I applied for it and was lucky enough to get it!”
Lisa, who also held the position of Program Assistant before progressing to her current role, says the supportive culture at Kalyra has made a big difference in her professional development.
“At my previous organisation, there just weren’t any progression opportunities. But with Kalyra, I could see a future path.”
“The managers here are genuinely keen on seeing how you want to develop yourself – not just in your job, but as a person, too. So, that means support for external courses and working towards your goals if you want to progress.”
The joy in a good team
Like any essential field, a career in aged care isn’t always easy. The clients Lisa and her team support might be dealing with illness, social isolation, family conflicts and more. Yet, Lisa rises to each challenge with care and resilience, emphasising the importance of a positive attitude and belonging to a team of good-hearted people.
“We have a very close-knit, supportive team here, which makes such a difference. Since stepping into my new role in late 2023, I’ve been able to tap into my team’s knowledge. We’re very supportive of each other and take the time to understand each other’s clients. We all bounce ideas around – it’s just a really positive team.”
Through all the challenges and wins, Lisa remembers to take pause and reflect – remembering her grandparents who inspired her journey and recognising the meaningful impact she and her team are having on the lives of older people.
“It’s things like Christmas afternoon teas, where you can see clients building connections. It’s about encouraging them to step outside their comfort zone, take a chance on something we offer and see how it can improve their life.”
“Then there are times when we get a call from a family member and they’ll say, ‘Thank you so much. Mum thinks her Home Support Worker is lovely and really looks forward to their visit.’”
Lisa’s advice to anyone considering a career at Kalyra?
“If you want to enrich people’s lives, join Kalyra and bring your best. I enjoy coming to work every day.”