Finding Joy in aged care

Jerejoy Dela Calzada has always cared for people but never expected her career would develop and flourish in the aged care sector.

In 2021, Joy emigrated to Australia with her husband Mathew from the Philippines where she had been working as a community nurse during the Covid-19 pandemic.

After arriving in Adelaide, she found a welcoming multicultural organisation at ACH Group, working as a Catering Assistant at ViTA residential care home and soon after, transitioning to a role as a Care Worker.

Working in care roles was hugely rewarding for Joy, but after two years she was looking for opportunities to provide a more holistic approach to the care of older people.

“ACH Group were willing to listen and support me when I wanted to shift my career pathway into a more overarching, coordination-based role, working in the corporate office,” she said.

“I was supported to explore my options and when a position became available as a Program Service Planner, I was encouraged to give it a go.

“In my role I coordinate home support services for ACH Group customers who need things like domestic assistance, gardening, home modifications or cleaning.”

Joy said her transition from caring, which had been her professional background, to working in a corporate scheduling role had been managed seamlessly.

“ACH Group was proactive helping me find this opportunity.

“They’ve given me everything I need to grow and develop my career,” she said.

“I benefit from mentorship, strong leadership and a collaborative team in an organisation that has core values that I agree with.”

“Whether it be improving my technical skills, communication or leadership skills, I’ve felt supported to continually grow and can’t wait to see what the future holds.”