A couple of weeks ago, I watched a discussion on ABC TV about the state of aged and home care in Australia. There was a panel made up of aged care providers, representatives, and families of people receiving care. Some important topics were discussed, but one comment in particular stayed with me. One of the panel members, the daughter of an aged care recipient, asked:
Why should I pay $85–$105 an hour for someone who is sitting and having coffee with my mother?
The question did not come as a shock to me, but it did make me reflect. Perhaps for many families, the full scope of this work is not always visible or easy to understand.
Young at Heart was founded in 2007, and the industry looked very different back then. There were far fewer home care providers, and many were small, family owned, client focused businesses built by people who genuinely loved this work and wanted to help others live safely and independently at home.
Since then, the sector has changed significantly. Larger providers have entered the industry, and while many continue to deliver excellent care, there have also been experiences that have understandably affected trust for some families. When people hear about poor care or unclear fees, it is natural to question the value of what is being provided.
This is why trust, quality care, and clear communication between providers and families remain so important.
In caregiving, much of the work happens quietly. Some tasks are visible such as preparing meals, assisting with medications, helping someone shower, or sharing a cup of tea. But there are also less visible responsibilities that require constant awareness, patience, emotional energy, and judgement in the moment.
Caregiving is often seen as something that comes naturally, especially because it is associated with kindness, love, or duty. In reality, it also requires skill. It involves patience, emotional resilience, communication, time management, and the ability to respond calmly and safely when situations change.
Support workers often work alone. They may need to make decisions on the spot without immediate input from a colleague or manager. Even in quieter moments, like sitting down for a coffee with a client, the responsibility does not disappear. We are still observing, supporting, offering reassurance, and ensuring the person in our care is safe and comfortable.
What may look like “just a coffee” is often much more.
- It is companionship and emotional support.
- It is presence, reassurance, and safety.
- It is connection, dignity, and human interaction.
For many older people, these moments can be just as meaningful as practical assistance.
Care work is also emotionally complex.
We often develop close relationships with the people we support and their families. We witness vulnerability, loneliness, illness, decline, and sometimes loss. While the work can be deeply rewarding, it also carries emotional and physical demands that are not always visible from the outside.
Most caregivers enter this profession because they genuinely care about people and want to make a positive difference in someone’s life.
And so, when someone next sees a caregiver sitting quietly over a cup of coffee with a client’s mother, I hope it also prompts a moment of reflection on what sits beneath that scene — the attentiveness, patience, and responsibility that are present even in stillness.
The value of care is not only in the tasks we can see, but also in the quieter work of connection, safety, dignity, and companionship that supports a person’s wellbeing every day.
