In the first part of our interview series with Dicki Yonata, an EPA care worker turned care manager at the Kenshokai Baden Healthcare Facility for the Elderly in Takamatsu City, Kagawa Prefecture, we asked Dicki about the things he can do because he is a foreigner, as well as his future goals.
Contents:
A message to those working in the care industry under the EPA
Being care worker may seem like a job that involves supporting people, but I think that it is actually a job that allows you to grow. There are things that we can do because we are foreigners, and we can also improve the environment at our workplaces by offering new perspectives and taking advantage of cultural differences.
For example, you could introduce your home country’s cuisine, such as Indonesian nasi goreng or other dishes, to menus. Try saying the Japanese greetings “Arigato” and “Ohayo” in your native language as well. Just by doing that, you will find that Japanese patients will happily listen to you. If you take advantage of the unqiue perspectives and ideas that you have because you are a foreigner, you will be able to create more new ways of communication.
I would like those who aspire to become care managers to not only obtain their qualification, but also become care managers who put the wishes of their patients first and foremost. Please pay attention to small changes in your patients, and please observe them carefully to see if their care plan fits them and helps them achieve their true desires.
As I used to be a nurse, I use my bursing knowledge to develop care plans. However, even for those with chronic medical conditions, we focus on the lifestyle the person wants for themselves, without being partial towards medical care. For example, even if a patient has diabetes, I make sure that they can have what they like every once in a while — without affecting their health, of course. It is a blessing to be able to enjoy a delicious meal.
Ever since I started developing care plans, I am delighted when people tell me that someone got well because of my plans. I once had a patieent who was in a wheelchair when they entered the facility, but they were able to walk after spending some time working in line with the goals of their care plan. That patient wanted to return home, and if would be difficult for them to live at home if they could not walk, so I put them on a rehabilitation plan to improve their leg strength. In the end, I was able to successfully fulfill their wish.
Future goals as a care manager
There are many foreign staff members who face problems commumicating with each other in the workplace due to cultural and language differences. My goal is to create a comfortable working environment for such people. For those who aspire to become care managers, I would like to support them so that they can gaiun confidence and fulfill their dream by taking advantage of my perspective as a foreigner.
I have been living in Kagawa Prefecture since I arrived in Japan. Three years ago, I married a woman I met at work, and we have two children together. I think Japan is safe and comfortable to live in. I once lost my wallet, and I got it back without anything going missing from it. You may feel some inconvenience when it comes to religion, but there are now more and more places where Muslims can pray.
Working as an EPA care worker or aiming to become a care manager may seem difficult to you, but you will be glad you put in the effort one day. Let’s work hard together!
