
TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE TO SOMEONE'S LIFE IS AN HONOUR'
Beth Namara, 44, is a Marie Curie Healthcare Assistant, providing home support to people at the end of their lives, as well as their families. She lives in Kent with her three children, aged 24, 13 and seven.
I've worked most Christmases since I started my job at Marie Curie in 2015, but I don't see it as a sacrifice. Caring doesn't stop just because it's the holidays, and this is often the time of year when families need us most. I enjoy spending that time with patients. Often, it will be somebody's last Christmas, and it means so much to share it with them.
Meaningful moments
One Christmas Eve, I looked after a woman who wasn’t expected to live into the new year. She was in her late 20s and had previously worked as a model. Her carer and I asked her what she wanted to do for the evening. She told us she’d love to be pampered, so that’s what we did! We washed, coloured and styled her hair, painted her nails and gave her a massage. We played music, sang and danced. She stayed awake until 2am with a huge smile on her face. She told us we’d made her feel amazing, and that she’d remember me in her next life. I’ll never forget that.
In December 2019, I visited a patient who was living alone. Someone had bought him a turkey, but he couldn’t cook it himself. So he asked me to do it – he gave me all the instructions about how he wanted it marinated and what seasoning to use. He asked me to pour him a glass of his favourite drink – apple juice mixed with some cider – and then we chatted through the night and watched a Christmas movie together. The week after that, he passed away.
この記事は Woman & Home UK の December 2022 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は Woman & Home UK の December 2022 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN...You quit dairy
Your body might thank you, although your taste buds could struggle at first

Secret signs YOU SHOULD NEVER IGNORE
Could your body be showing the telltale hints of a hidden condition?

Tasty CHICKEN MAINS
Ramp up your weekend menu with our delicious ideas

Take control of JEALOUSY for GOOD
Does it sting when others have it all? Here's how to conquer the secret green-eyed monster lurking inside

They say NEVER WORK WITH ANIMALS...
From managing a rebel penguin to training cats for the big screen, furry, feathered colleagues can be somewhat unpredictable

Get ready to LIVE TO
It’s not just our minds and bodies that need to be prepped, it’s our bank balances too, says Faith Archer

In conversation with HEIDI PERKS
The thriller writer on how her fears influence her books and the joy of writing courses

Get back in SEXUAL SYNC
Having mismatched sex drives is very common – but help is at hand

'I've no intention of GROWING UP'
Stepping back from her show, following in the footsteps of Marian Keyes and embracing her new role as Granny Smith, Queen of Daytime and author Lorraine Kelly is entering a whole new chapter

MULTI gen LIVING Success or stress?
Kids, parents and grandparents all under one roof is on the rise, but it's not without complications, as Kim Willis explains