A job that changed me: I cried nearly every day working in aged care, then realised I could bring joy instead
News Source
β’Mon, 21 Sep 2026 15:00:36 GMT
π° What Happened
In a first-person piece for the Guardian, Carolyn Mullen describes taking a reception job at an aged care home in her 40s. She had worked as an actor, an improv teacher and a corporate trainer, but Covid wiped out her face-to-face work.
She says she cried nearly every day in her first month. She had not spent much time around older people, especially those with dementia. Months later the temp agency called again, asking for "the lady who cried all the time".
She learned to bring joy instead of fear. One resident told her she would run in a field if she could do anything. A former office worker sat with her and did filing. Mullen says she grew grateful for the chance to share their lives.
π The Backstory
Aged care workers in Australia often do hard, low-paid jobs. Many residents live with dementia, so staff handle grief, confusion and loss on every shift. The sector has struggled with staffing and turnover for years.
Mullen used her acting skills at the front desk. When a resident thought the building had been robbed, she played along and said police were already on the way. She says repeating a scene many times is exactly what actors train for.
She also describes the Covid lockdowns as a frightening time for residents. They could not see family and could not understand the masks and rules. She says those years left a deep mark on residents and staff alike.
π― Why It Matters
The story shows what aged care staff face every day, and why kindness matters as much as medical care. It also shines a light on a workforce many Australians rarely think about.
In a first-person piece for the Guardian, Carolyn Mullen describes taking a reception job at an aged care home in her 40s. She had worked as an actor, an improv teacher and a corporate trainer, but Covid wiped out her face-to-face work.
She says she cried nearly every day in her first month. She had not spent much time around older people, especially those with dementia. Months later the temp agency called again, asking for "the lady who cried all the time".
She learned to bring joy instead of fear. One resident told her she would run in a field if she could do anything. A former office worker sat with her and did filing. Mullen says she grew grateful for the chance to share their lives.
Aged care workers in Australia often do hard, low-paid jobs. Many residents live with dementia, so staff handle grief, confusion and loss on every shift. The sector has struggled with staffing and turnover for years.
Mullen used her acting skills at the front desk. When a resident thought the building had been robbed, she played along and said police were already on the way. She says repeating a scene many times is exactly what actors train for.
She also describes the Covid lockdowns as a frightening time for residents. They could not see family and could not understand the masks and rules. She says those years left a deep mark on residents and staff alike.
The story shows what aged care staff face every day, and why kindness matters as much as medical care. It also shines a light on a workforce many Australians rarely think about.