Caterham Health Care Worker Celebrates 40 Years

A long-serving healthcare assistant has reflected on her four decades working at a nursing home in Caterham and said “every day is a blessing”.

For 40 years, Rose Arney has been supporting residents at Tupwood Gate Nursing Home, on Tupwood Lane, ensuring quality of life for those in need of support.

As well as holding the hands of those receiving end of life care, she has also supported others to become well enough to return home or enjoy years of living as independently as possible at the home.

For Rose, it was a profession she fell into for “convenience”, and one she initially intended to be short term-only.

“I was working in an office before I had my Daughter, but it wasn’t fulfilling me. I needed something more.

“A position came up as a Healthcare Assistant at Tupwood Gate, then known as Surrey Hills Clinic, for the night shifts and I thought ‘I’ll give it a go’.

“It suited us as a family because my husband could look after our daughter during the night, and I could be the best mum possible during the day and still manage things like the school runs.

“I certainly didn’t envisage I would be doing the job for 40 years or more but I simply fell in love with it.

“I didn’t particularly like nights because you came in, put the residents to bed and that was it. Whereas during the day, you get them up, you spend time with them and really get to know them. You’re getting the whole picture. When I started day shifts, it really ignited my passion and love for the job. I’ve never looked back.”

Rose said one of her strongest qualities required for the job is patience, something she prides herself on.

“I’ve got a lot of patience and sometimes, even with our more challenging residents, I can see that they’re not meaning to be. They are just frustrated and you have to coax them round and bring them out of themselves.

“I’m also very caring. When a family member thanks you for being there and supporting their loved one, it makes you feel really good.”

One of the highlights of Rose’s career was in 2011 when Tupwood Gate achieved Gold accreditation with the Gold Standards Framework, followed by platinum accreditation in 2021. The GSF supports and enables front line staff teams to provide a gold standard of care for individuals who are nearing the end-of-life.

“Working in this job, it really makes me appreciate a lot more now. It has made me a better person, I’m definitely more empathetic to the needs of other people.

“I plan to retire in a couple of years but I have a lot more moments to soak in before that happens.” Said Rose.