Champions of Care: Margaret Conneely

In this edition of our Champions of Care series, we’re excited to share valuable insights from Margaret Conneely, who successfully completed the QQI Level 5 Dementia Care and Support Programme with The Alzheimer Society of Ireland (The ASI).

As a Home Care Worker, Margaret has been dedicated to The ASI for 10 years, making a profound impact in dementia care.

Congratulations, Margaret, on this incredible achievement! ????

Reflecting on your learning journey, What were the key take aways from the course you completed? What stood out to you???

This course opened my eyes to look at things through the eyes of the person with dementia, rather than seeing what I could see; because what we see may not be what the person sees.??

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How has this course changed your approach to caring for individuals living with dementia???

It highlights a lot of aspects of dementia, and I am certainly more aware of the thoughts and feelings of the person with dementia. I’d like to think that I am a much better listener than before (completing the course).?

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In what ways do you think your personal well-being impacts the care you provide??

Before visiting a client's home, you need to leave all your own troubles at the door. If you're feeling low about something, most clients will pick up on it and you may upset them.?

I had an example of this myself; my aunt passed away and I was unable to visit my client but the following week my client mentioned this to me, and obviously showed signs of being upset. The man was upset for a few days afterwards; he felt sorry for me. This taught me that when I enter the client's home, it's all about them; not me.?

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What role has The Alzheimer Society of Ireland played in your professional development??

I finished school at 17 without a Leaving Cert, worked in offices, had a family and looked after my mother who had Alzheimer’s for several years. After she passed away, I was approached by the Public Health Nurse who asked if I’d be interested in working with The ASI. At first, I said I needed to think about it, and I did and thought, ‘sure I know all about it’. Well that all changed. I did the necessary courses and worked with some lovely clients. I found that they were all so different!?

So, when this course was mentioned, I thought at first that it was compulsory; so I put my name down, and here I am.?

A few weeks into the course I had my doubts. I found that while I loved caring for the clients and it was very fulfilling, the thoughts of the course terrified me. I said to Julie, the tutor, ‘I don’t think this course is for me,’ and she said, ‘You do it every day, you just need to write it down.’ The following day, while driving to Castlebar to the course, something came on the radio saying “YOU CAN DO IT” so from that day on it was onwards and upwards!?

Looking back, how do you feel you have grown since participating in the course??

I feel that I’m better at listening and have more empathy towards my clients and their carers. I feel communication is so important and there are several ways to communicate. I hope that I will continue to grow with each of these families as time goes on.?

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In terms of The ASI values, Respect, Empathy, Inclusiveness, Integrity, and Excellence, how do you feel this course impacted your day-to-day carer role???

Respect: Take the clients' feelings and wishes into consideration.?

Empathy: Share and understand their feelings.

Inclusiveness: Including and accommodating them?

Integrity: Honesty and having strong morals?

Excellence: Being the best I can be?

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Is there anything else you would like to share about your experience with the course???

We got to meet like-minded people, all dedicated to supporting people with dementia and helping them to live as fully as possible, similar to how they lived before.

It was fantastic to share our stories and experiences. We had a fantastic team behind us, who offered help and support to us all through the course. Thanks to Julie, Therese, Fiona and Eloise! It was great meeting them all at the Graduation in Co Athlone. And thanks CEO Andy Heffernan and all The ASI staff who attended; thank you all for putting your faith in me and being there to help and support me!?

Well done, Margaret! Incredible work from you and your fellow QQI Graduates. ?

Questions and answers have been edited in parts.?