Care Pro Spotlight: Lee Gaik Sim
Age may slow us down, but it doesn’t have to hold us back! The journey might require a little more fight than it used to, but pursuing your passions never gets old. Scroll down to see how Gaik Sim is making the most out of her golden years by giving back to the society as a Homage caregiver!
Meet Gaik Sim!
Lee Gaik Sim, 65, has been a caregiver with Homage since 2020. Prior to beginning her caregiving adventure with Homage, she spent the previous 40 years working in the administrative department of a apparel manufacturing industry in three separate countries, namely the Philippines, Mauritius, and Vietnam. In 2018, she returned to Malaysia to spend her retirement years with something more fulfilling and flexible and she came across Homage through Facebook.
Gaik Sim enjoys walking in the rain as a way to relax outside her caregiving hours since she finds it to be soothing and rejuvenating!
Can you tell us your previous working experience overseas? From there, what led you to work with Homage?
I was in charge of organizing and managing the factories’ production, which required monitoring all of the materials from end-to-end, creating samples for review, putting client orders, and sending the garments to customers all over the world!
With the exception of how satisfying I find both of these occupations to be, there are little parallels between my old employment and my caregiving position with Homage, but that is what makes each experience unique!
I believed that after 40 years of working in corporate, I wanted to spend my retirement doing something more flexible and important. God granted my dream by introducing me to Homage through Facebook advertisements. I am truly grateful to have crossed paths with Homage as it has occupied me with all the knowledge needed to take care of my own mother and myself in the future.
As compared to your previous work experience, what’s the greatest difference in your current role as a caregiver?
When I was working in corporate, I spent most of my time in front of a computer in an office processing paperwork and other things, but now that I’m a Homage caregiver, I get to go out and physically and emotionally engage with people to offer them the best care I can. Now as a freelance caregiver, I have the flexibility to choose: my hours, type of projects, and clients to work with, and ultimately have control of my schedule. Most significantly, I get to feel emotionally fulfilled, which gives me a strong sense of purpose in life.
At the age of 65, what motivates you to still serve other people? How do you keep yourself going?
Occasionally, as you journey through life, you meet someone who makes such a lasting impression and has such an impact on your life – I want to be that person to someone.
I have so much life to live, love to give, and places to go. The show is not over. – Care Pro Gaik Sim
Life has been good to me and my family ever since I was given the opportunity to work overseas. Being in corporate for 40 years, I feel like it is time to give back to society. As long as I am strong and healthy, I will keep going and make the most out of my prime days. Someone out there needs me and looks forward to my care, this is enough to keep me going.
As a senior taking care of other seniors, how do you connect with your Care Recipients physically & mentally?
As we grow older, we experience an increasing number of major life changes, including career transitions and retirement, children leaving home, the loss of loved ones, physical and health challenges—and even a loss of independence. Many older adults have been through life changes and health issues that required adaptation, great resilience and wisdom. It’s important for all caregivers to listen to the Care Recipients and discuss concerns – if possible and always keep that person at the center. At this age, all they need is care, compassion, and love, which is the highest form of service. A friendship developed between my Care Recipients and I, as well as the memories made will always be treasured.
How do you keep yourself fit and energized to take visits with Homage?
Physical activity is an immune system booster. The more you move, the more your body is able to fight and stay strong. Lucky for me, I stay in an area where parks and swimming pools are easily accessible, so I would spend my leisure time breeze walking or swimming to let loose.
Hanging out with my friends keeps me on the ground too. Getting good food and just catching up with your friends is one of the best therapies you can get out there!
What is the most valuable lesson you have gotten from this caregiving journey with Homage, that you can use as you age yourself?
The unique experiences that caregiving opportunities provided have caused me to live with a greater awareness of how important it is to not only seize the day but to acknowledge, appreciate and enjoy the special moments that occur within each day. I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to be with my Care Recipients on a portion of their journey through life.
– Care Pro Gaik Sim
One day all of us will walk down this road, hence I would treat my Care Recipients like how I want to be treated — with compassion and dignity.
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 is 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
