On the night shift: Many rewards in caring for elderly residents

Lee Hofmann, registered nurse who works at the Ocean Raeburn Resthome in Cambridge

For Lee Hofmann, a 48-year-old registered nurse, the sacrifices that come with working the night shift at Ocean Raeburn Resthome in Cambridge are worth it.

"It's the sort of role, nine times out of 10, you rarely go home on time because there are things to hand over and because conscience-wise you don't really feel you can leave until you know things are being done properly."

Mr Hofmann graduated in 2009 and worked for the Department of Corrections before landing a job with Oceania's Resthomes last year.

The father-of-two, whose sons are now in their 20s and living away from home, said he was pleased he could spend some time with someone else's loved ones during special occasions like Christmas and New Year if they were unable to be there themselves.

"I like working with the older generation for a number of reasons. One, I feel they deserve good quality care, they deserve the respect of not only their age but their life experience.

"And I think it's important that these are our grandparents and also someone else's grandfather, someone else's brother."

Mr Hofmann said he really enjoyed the atmosphere at the Cambridge resthome, which had 50 residents and catered for a range of care including resthome, secure dementia and hospital rooms.

He loved hearing stories from the older residents and getting to know them better.

"The life experience of some of the residents is absolutely amazing. It's a good way to engage the residents as well - to actually get them talking about their lives."

Mr Hofmann wouldn't be drawn on any downsides to the job. "I actually like working in all different areas because you are dealing with different people, different attitudes, different cultures.

"To me it's the whole job I enjoy ..."