Meet Mark Castro, our Faces of Baptcare #40 and new member of the In Home Care team
- 02 May 2023
What is your role at Baptcare, and can you describe a typical day in your job?
I’m currently stepping up as the Interim In Home Care Nurse Manager. I was previously one of the clinical care leads of our nursing team. Our team aim is to make sure all patient care is well co-ordinated. On my average day of work, I usually start by checking emails, then I spend most of my day taking phone calls from colleagues and carers working in the field. There are also regular calls from other departments and families.
What do you like about working with Baptcare and in the IHC space?
What I really like with Baptcare is the sense of community.
Did you always want to work within the caring space?
Well, apart from my dreams of being a professional sportsman – yes! My parents encouraged me to pursue nursing studies as a way of pursuing ‘the greener pastures’ as we always say in my birth country, The Philippines. And I’m glad that I’ve followed this path. Working in the healthcare industry gives me opportunities to learn new and exciting things every day while giving care to people who need my help. My personal and professional growth is nurtured in this space.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
When I was young, I really wanted to play sports professionally. I used to play basketball but nowadays I just watch it.
Can you tell us two surprising things about yourself?
I do photography as a hobby. Also, I can cook and bake when asked to although I can’t promise it will be good (but at least I try!)
Tell us about your photography.
I don’t have a favourite photographer, but I follow the works of Sam Kolder, Chris Burkard, Dani Diamond and Brandon Woelfel. I do a mix of landscape, astrophotography and portrait photography. One of my photos recently won a local camera store competition which was really exciting. (Ed. Photo included in this article!).
We hear that you’re a new dad? Tell us about your baby and what has surprised you about parenting so far.
Yes, I am a father to Matteo who just turned six months recently. The saying that time flies is an understatement! It feels like yesterday that my wife and I were at the hospital waiting for Matteo to arrive. He’s such a sweet and observant little boy and has recently been attending baby sensory classes and really enjoys them.
What surprises me the most is that 24 hours is too short when you have a baby. Also, I never knew I could worry so much about him. The love you have for your child is really special and it’s really the best feeling for me and my wife.
I’d like to acknowledge all the other full time working parents (dad and mums) out there who are also heavily involved in raising their children.
Do you have a favourite quote or motto in life?
Respect is earned by action alone, not self-gratification. (Paul Combs)
How would your friends describe you?
My friends would describe me as a silent, easy-going type of guy, but helpful and approachable.
Can you describe your ideal weekend?
An ideal weekend for me would include some free time for myself – free from the usual hustle and bustle of the working week. It would involve catching up on some sleep and an excuse to avoid a routine. I enjoy hanging out with my family or our friends over a barbecue or going for long drive to take unique photos. It may also involve going on an outdoor family adventure and spending quality time with my family, especially as a new dad.
Do you have a mentor or idol?
I would say that I idolise my parents for everything they have done to ensure that me and my siblings can be successful.
Community news
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Personal Alert Victoria | Enhancing safety and independence
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Personal Alert Victoria (PAV) offers eligible Victorians a free personal monitoring and emergency response service. This important service is funded by the Victorian Government and helps people continue to live independently at home, safe in the knowledge that help is only a button press away.If you or someone you know is frail, elderly and isolated or who is living with a disability, you may like to consider applying for the PAV program.What does the PAV service involve?The PAV service responds to calls for assistance 24 hours per day.Clients wear a pendant around their neck or wrist which is designed with a button that, when pressed, dials the PAV hotline connecting the caller with trained staff ready to provide assistance. For example, if you fall or suddenly feel unwell, you can press the button and be connected with someone who can speak with you through the pendant.PAV hotline staff will talk with you to determine whether a call should be placed with emergency services, one of your nominated contacts (usually family members, friends or neighbours) or whether you simply require some reassurance about your situation (in the event of a non-urgent issue).How does my pendant connect me to the PAV hotline?A receiver unit sits next to your telephone and is plugged into your telephone line. When it receives an alert from your pendant (after you have pressed the button), the receiver unit automatically dials the PAV hotline.Who is eligible for the PAV service?Eligibility is determined via an assessment conducted in your own home.There are two sets of eligibility criteria to meet – Part A and Part B:Part A:You must meet all three conditions set out below –Daily monitoring – you consent to daily monitoring.Wearable pendant - you are capable of using and willing to wear the PAV pendant at all times.Living situation – you live alone OR are alone for most of the day or evening OR live with a person who would be unable to get to the phone in an emergency (or is unable to use the phone).Part B:You must meet two of these criteria –You have had at least one fall that needed medical attention in the previous six months or be at risk of falls.You suffer from a major medical or chronic condition that puts you at risk of medical emergencies or has some ongoing effect on your health or wellbeing.You are taking six or more different medications on a permanent basis that are prescribed by your doctor / medical specialist.Who conducts my eligibility assessment for PAV?Eligibility assessments for the PAV service are usually conducted by your local council, community health service, aged care assessment service, district nursing service and some publicly funded community rehabilitation services.You can either contact your local service provider directly (for example, by enquiring with your local council’s aged care program) or be referred to an assessment service by your doctor or local community health service.It’s worth noting that there may be a waiting period involved until a PAV unit becomes available for installation at your home.For more detailed information on the PAV program, please refer to the PAV program and service guidelines provided by the Victorian Department of Health.
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Enjoying the comforts of home: Lynette and George
Lynette is 75 and her husband, George, is 70. With a little help from home care, they're able to live healthily and happily together at home.
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