Care Pro Spotlight: Nurul Aini
People don’t talk enough about the impact of caring for children with special needs while balancing career needs. Many people are trying to work full-time jobs while meeting the needs of their loved ones, sometimes even trying to raise children of their own at the same time.
Continue reading to learn how Care Pro Aini is managing her time effectively with Homage while meeting the needs of her family!
Introducing, Aini!
Aini is a businesswoman and a mother of one who spends her free time taking caregiving jobs with Homage. She has experience in providing care as she previously volunteered with APM in Melaka, where she manages the needs of those who require ambulance transportation to the hospital while taking care of her bedridden aunt and sister.
As a mother with two jobs, it will not be easy to get a good balance of everything but Aini has successfully managed family caregiving and work responsibilities by converting her full-time job to part-time with Homage, and pursuing self-employment options of selling drinks at the night market, which may provide more relaxed schedules for her to focus on her son.
Why did you choose to work with Homage?
I need a job to pay my bills, but at the same time, I also want to be able to take care of my son and husband when they require my attention, especially with my son who has been diagnosed with ADHD.
The flexibility Homage provides would make my life better by allowing me to supplement our household income and care for my special need son at home at the same time. Being a caregiver is a full-time job in itself and I need the flexibility working a remote job allows. Plus, it helps pay the bills!
What is the most unforgettable memory of being a Care Pro with Homage?
Working with Homage has given me numerous adventures and memories. I get to meet patients from all walks of life and they make me feel more like a family than an outsider.
I used to look after a French patient who suffers from dementia. He was still capable of taking care of himself but there were specific tasks that he often repeats and questions about frequently. We occasionally encountered communication issues due to the language barrier as French was his go-to language when he was experiencing memory lapses but his son will always make an effort to translate for me in clear terms. I always tried to spend time doing simple activities with him like colouring, watching movies, and massaging him. We ended up bonding so well over time, and we went from being strangers to being inseparable.
At the end of the day, I can look back and know they made a difference in people’s lives, which makes it all worth it.
How do you organise your day-to-day schedule with your business and caregiving with Homage? What would be your coping mechanism to avoid burnout?
I’ll organise my schedule at the beginning of each month. My booked excursions will thus go as planned once my schedule is managed. This is because I have a pediatrician visit scheduled every month for my son who has ADHD. I’ll also spend a few days a month or so with my family as a way to let loose after hours of juggling 2 jobs.
Usually, I’d go for Homage visits in the morning and assist my spouse with the business in the evening. I am fortunate to have a wonderful husband who will ensure that I have ample downtime each day. He will settle all the housework every day while I focus on taking care of the kids and take visits with Homage.
What is it like taking care of a child with ADHD? How do you incorporate the techniques and niche into senior care?
Taking care of an ADHD child requires patience. ADHD causes my son to be more inattentive, hyperactive, and impulsive than is normal for their age. It’s hard for him to develop the skills that control attention, behaviour, emotions, and activity. As a result, they often act in ways that are hard for parents to manage.
When your child has ADHD, you may find that your patience runs thin quickly. That’s why it is crucially important for me to have a set of principles or routines that I follow to ground both myself and my child—instead of merely reacting in frustration or anger.
From taking care of my own child to seniors, I have learned that taking one thing at a time is important. Pick one thing to focus on and praise their effort no matter big or small as it will help with their mental & physical improvement. One thing in common is that children with ADHD and seniors need attention the most, so make time to talk and enjoy relaxing, fun activities with them — even if it’s just for a few minutes. Give them your full attention and acknowledge positive behaviours!
What motivates you to keep on doing two jobs at the same time?
The value that a caregiving job provides as well as my family has always been my main motivation. While running a business allows me to provide for my family, I would rather advance my knowledge and give back to the community. I strive to assist everyone I can since I had the experience of caring for my aunt who had a stroke and my sister who was bedridden for a year after an accident.
Mothers can have it all. You can love, nurture and care for a child with a disability while at the same time balancing your career. The key is making smart choices, recognising that you will need support from others, and eliminating any externally imposed negative feelings about your choice.
Being a caregiver isn’t always easy – but it is always rewarding. It’s not just a profession, though. You’ll also develop a personal connection with your job. There are many great benefits to becoming a caregiver. And it’s just one decision that can positively impact you for the rest of your life. – Care Pro Aini
Offering Primary Caregivers Respite and Support
Homage has many caregivers from different walks of life with the common goal to help seniors and adults in their road to recovery. Our home care and support are aimed at empowering them to continue living healthy, fulfilling lives. At Homage, working as a Care Professional grants you a wide array of opportunities and advantages:
- Stay flexible with a better work-life balance as a freelance, part-time, or full-time Care Professional
- Receive a stable income or competitive salary package that corresponds to their knowledge, skillset, and experience
- Gain opportunities to work with us regularly and tier up in your career pathway as a Care Professional
- Upgrade your skills with holistic and specialised training and certifications from our training partners and in-house specialists
