Small moments make a big difference

For Jed, aged care works

For Jed Mendoza, a Community Support Worker, caring for older people is grounded in the values she learned growing up in Cebu City in the Philippines.

Now 16 years after moving to Adelaide, she supports older South Australians to continue living independently and doing the things that matter to them.

“I grew up in a very close-knit and family-oriented Filipino family,” she said.

“Looking after our older family members was simply part of family life. From a young age, we were taught to respect, care for and look after our elders.”

After making Adelaide her home, she wanted to give back to the community that had welcomed her. Working with older people felt natural because care and service had always been part of how she was raised.

No two days are the same. A day can include everything from helping someone with their daily routine and providing support around the home to going shopping, attending appointments and staying connected with their community – all while supporting them to live independently.

“The part I enjoy most is getting to know the person behind the support I’m providing,” Jed said.

“You hear their stories, learn about their lives and sometimes have a good laugh together. You realise that the little things we do can mean a lot to someone.”

Supporting independence and choice is important.

“I’m there to support them, not take over,” Jed said.

“I try to understand what each person can do for themselves and what matters to them, and then provide support where it’s needed.

“Sometimes the best support is not doing something for someone, but helping them continue to do it for themselves.”

When asked about an experience that shaped her approach to supporting older people, Jed recalled caring for an older woman over several years.

With different cultural backgrounds and no shared language, they found another way to communicate.

“It reminded me that supporting someone isn’t always about what you say. Sometimes it’s simply being there, showing kindness and making another person feel cared for and valued.”

Jed said knowing her work has a real impact on someone’s everyday life keeps her motivated, even on challenging days.

“This isn’t just about completing tasks during a shift,” she said.

“It’s about building trust and treating every person with dignity, patience and respect.

“Knowing that I may have made someone’s day a little easier, happier or less lonely makes the work worthwhile.”

For anyone considering a career in aged care, she said the greatest rewards often come from the smallest moments.

“It might be a smile, a thank you, a good conversation in the car, or seeing someone happy because they were able to do something that matters to them,” she said.

“You also learn so much from older people and sometimes come away from a conversation having learned something yourself.

“If you genuinely enjoy helping people and have patience, empathy and respect for others, it can be a very meaningful career. You go home knowing that, even in a small way, you made a difference in someone’s day.”