Meet Emma McGrath, the Louth woman who has won National Caregiver of the Year Award.
Emma has worked as a Dovida Caregiver for almost five years and was nominated for the award by her clients and colleagues from Dovida’s Louth office. She won the county award earlier this year along with the Leinster Caregiver of the Year award before her big title of national winner. Chatting with us about the love she has for her role, Emma shares what her day-to-day looks like and what winning the award means to carers like her.
Tell me about your career background – did you always know that you wanted to be a caregiver?
My background is in helping and supporting people, and I’ve always found it rewarding to make a positive difference in someone’s day. While I didn’t always know that caregiving would be my career path, while I was working in retail, I naturally gravitated toward roles where I could assist others and provide support.
I am also a boxing coach in my local community, where I help young people reach their goals and keep them motivated. Through my experiences, I realised how meaningful it is to help people in all walks of life, but especially those who are the most vulnerable in our community. That’s what motivated me to pursue caregiving professionally; I enjoy building trusting relationships with clients and their families.
What does an average day in your life look like? Talk us through your workday.
As I’m a mam of three children and a caregiver, my days are usually very busy. My day typically starts early, getting my children ready for school and making sure everything is organised for the day ahead. My husband is also a big help with daily routines, so I can fit it all in. Once that’s done, I focus on my caregiving responsibilities, supporting clients with their daily needs, whether that’s helping to get them up and ready for the day, preparing some of their meals, gently reminding them to take their medication, or providing companionship, whatever they need to help them maintain their independence and ensure they feel comfortable and cared for.
Alongside my caregiving role, I coach boxing a couple of evenings a week. Boxing is a big part of my family. My two boys’ box, and they took after me. I was doing it for around twelve years. It’s all go, go, go, in my household!
What is the most rewarding and most challenging part of being a caregiver?
The most rewarding part of being a caregiver is knowing that I can make a difference in someone’s life. Whether it’s helping a client maintain their independence or providing companionship. Loneliness is something I see every day, and it’s a harsh reality for some older people unfortunately. I go into a client’s home and just listen with respect. I make them feel safe, and that’s massive for them.
The most challenging part is seeing clients struggle with illness or their declining mobility and health. It can be emotionally difficult because all you want for them is to be healthy. When you’re going to somebody for a long time and you know they just aren’t getting better, it’s sometimes very hard not to take that home with you. I try to always stay patient and, most important of all, compassionate. Some days are harder than others; I’ve lost clients over the years who I’ve made great connections with and their families, and although it’s hard, it’s rewarding to know that I’ve supported them through tough times.
Do you have any particularly special stories from your career that have stuck with you?
One of my more memorable experiences as a caregiver was supporting a client who suffered a stroke. When I first started working with them, they had very limited mobility and were in constant fear of falling. They were frustrated all the time because the independence they once had had all changed. Over time, I saw improvements – the ability to do certain tasks on their own. Those small wins meant so much. I provided a lot of emotional support to this person also over the years. I’d think to myself, ‘How would I feel in their shoes?’, and that would help me find the right words to try to make them feel better. This person taught me the importance of encouragement.
I have massive respect for older people, and working with them on a daily basis has taught me so much about myself, who I am, and who I want to be. We will all grow old and eventually need a helping hand, and if that hand can have respect and compassion, it will definitely mean a lot. I’ve also got to work with some amazing coworkers along the journey, and we have all learned so much from each other.
What does it mean to win Caregiver of the Year?
Winning Caregiver of the Year was an absolute honour; I still can’t believe it! It was a day I will never forget. It showed me that the commitment to providing compassionate care for my clients was recognised by the people I work with and care for. I am so proud of the award because it reminds me that the small things: being patient, reliable, and supportive, can have such a meaningful impact on someone’s life
I’d like to thank everyone who thought I was deserving of the award, the girls in the Louth office, all my coworkers, and family, who always support me in everything I do.
