September is Continuing Care Month in Nova Scotia. We’re profiling Red Crossers in recognition of all the great work they do in caring for people outside of a hospital setting.
Canadian Red Cross home support worker Lynn Akanbi can’t help but laugh when I ask what her typical workday looks like. Her work is often misunderstood.
She sees on average three clients a day, but they all have different needs. Not all of her clients are elderly or have dementia. In some cases, the home support worker provides respite to the full-time caregiver, often a family member, who needs some time away to recharge or to run errands.
Lynn Akanbi is a Canadian Red Cross home support worker.
On this particular day, she’s helped someone who is disabled get ready for the day, provided care to another client for a few hours, and is now spending the afternoon with a 92-year-old woman.
Lynn agrees it takes a special kind of person to do this work, “you have to be a Jack of all trades”. Her responsibilities range from ensuring her client’s physical well-being, which can include bathing, preparing meals, housekeeping, keeping her clients active, as well as their emotional well-being, everything from reading to her clients to cheering them up when they’re feeling down.
In fact, making people smile is what keeps Lynn motivated. She even sings for some of her clients who clearly appreciate her cheerful and warm personality.
“Sometimes people just need someone to listen to them. As home support workers, we have to adapt and not take things personally. You need patience and a zest for life.”
What drew her to this work? For Lynn, it’s personal. As a 14 year old, she took care of her ailing grandfather when he moved into her family’s home. That’s when she realized this was her passion.
For another perspective on home support work with a focus on dementia, check out this short video produced in partnership with the Canadian Dementia Knowledge Translation Network (CDKTN).