From the frontline - Sheilagh Shaw

Insight09.05.177.30 AM by Administrator Administrator

Gosport Borough Council’s older person support officer Sheilagh Shaw on the specific issues related to older people’s housing and the power of a sunny day

Older person support officer, Gosport Borough Council

What does your job involve?

I manage a sheltered housing scheme for Gosport Borough Council and I’m responsible for promoting the health and well-being of the tenants.

How did you get into housing?

I started off as a part-time mobile housing officer in Fareham.

What’s the most challenging thing about working with older people?

Dealing with memory loss can be challenging and it is also frustrating for the person who is experiencing the memory problems. Forgetfulness can sometimes put tenants at risk so it is part of my role to assist them to be safe in their home. I also liaise with their families and appropriate organisations.

What’s the best thing about your job?

Talking to and supporting tenants to ensure they are safe and able to remain as independent as possible.

What would you change about the sector if you could?

I would like more money to be invested in supporting older people. I would also like proactive rather than reactive intervention to avoid emergency situations and unnecessary admissions to hospital.

What does a good day look like?

A good day is when the sun is shining as it has a positive effect on people’s mood and I see smiles on faces. I can go home safe in the knowledge that, just for that day, all is well.

How about a bad one?

A bad day is rare, but for me it is when we lose one of the residents. It can have a huge effect on the other tenants at the scheme and I have to put my emotions aside in order to support them.

What’s the first thing you’d do if you became prime minister?

The first thing I would do as prime minister would be to celebrate older people by creating another bank holiday when we all have to do something positive for older people in the community.