She holds hands when no one else is there

"I remember a lady who absolutely refused to have a shower, " says Sylvie Porte. She has been a care assistant for just under 30 years and works at the Elysis care home in Kirchberg. The resident in question had dementia and was unable to communicate. "We later learnt from her life story that her son had drowned. That's why she couldn't bear anything to do with water." This example illustrates why it is essential for her and her colleagues to know the residents' life stories. "It helps us to understand certain reactions and behaviours."

Sylvie Porte knew even as a little girl that she wanted to pursue this career one day. As she sits opposite from us in the care home's cafeteria and talks about her career path, her eyes light up. You can tell that her job is also her passion. "My aunt was a care assistant, and when I was 12 or 13, she took me to work with her. I even went with her on short night shifts. It fascinated me; I felt drawn to it." She also always knew that she wanted to work with older people. "They're like libraries. The transfer of knowledge and experience still gives me just as much pleasure now, 30 years later."