For the past two years, Karen Minion has worked with dementia patients as an in-home carer with the Wagga-branch of Right At Home.

This week she was announced as the 2019 National Carer of the Year, a title that she managed to grab from over 600 other carers across the country.

But the job was not one she ever thought she wanted, and she has come close to leaving it more than once.

"I lost six clients in a month and a half, and I almost gave up, but I'm so glad I stuck it out," Ms Minion said.

"It was disheartening to me personally, and emotional, but I had two clients who kept my spirits up and got me through it.

"They helped me understand that losing clients - whether through death or by them leaving for a facility - that's part of the job."

Prior to her appointment to the position in Wagga, Ms Minion was living in Ballarat and working for a clothing factory.

Upon her redundancy, she moved across the border and begun her search for more meaningful employment.

"I always wanted to work in a facility, I was weary and scared of going into people's homes," she said.

On a whim, she walked into the Morgan Street office of Right At Home and made a case for her employment. Within two days, she had accepted the job and was on her way to meeting her first client.

"I was so nervous, I didn't want to go in, but I'm glad I did," Ms Minion said.

"But once I had a couple of clients and I could get familiar with them, it all got better. They made me comfortable."

Describing their employee as "compassionate, caring and someone who would go absolutely above and beyond", franchise operators Bronwyn and Geoff Cook recognise that Ms Minion's largest contribution to the cause comes through her willingness to work beyond her set hours.

"She goes out of her way with her clients, in her own time she learns about what they like and how to help them do what they love to do," Mrs Cook said.

"For example, with a non-verbal client, she worked out that she loved music, so she would do activities that were based on music, and that made all the difference to the client's demeanour," Mr Cook said.

"From our point of view, as a little franchise in the region, to have our employee recognised by this national award, it's an outstanding achievement, and it's actually not our achievement at all. It's entirely Karen's," Mr Cook said.