Compassion and empathy make aged care a vocation

Aged care is not just a job for our big-hearted BlueCare team, it’s a vocation, says BlueCare General Manager of Business Operations Francis McQuillan.

“They’re doing what they’re doing because they want to make a difference on a daily basis,” he says.

Our bright team in blue provide residential aged care, home care services and retirement living across Queensland, from Coolangatta to the Cape. But the level of care remains the same at every level of the organisation.

“Our compassion and empathy from service level right through to leadership is something that I haven’t seen in prior organisations where I’ve been,” he says.

“It’s being able to understand, have that compassion, that empathy so that we can support our clients or residents or staff, as well as our colleagues through the challenges that come through aged care.”

Francis, who came to BlueCare via stints in aged care, politics and senior government, knows the importance of seeing the whole person.

“I grew up taking care of my grandfather. Every client that comes in has their own story, and just because they’ve hit a certain stage in their life where they need more support, none of that changes.”

He says it’s crucial that people who are new to aged care feel supported, understand what’s going on, and have a say in their care. “They still have a choice to live life the way they want to, and we involve them all the way. I think that it’s just treating them like a friend.”

Francis says it’s difficult to sum up BlueCare in just one word. “I don’t’ think one would really be appropriate. I think the likes of “kindness”, “trust”, “support”, “caring”, “integrity” apply – it’s the care factor, really.”

If you would like to join our big-hearted team of individuals and make a meaningful difference together, visit our Careers page.