A Day in the Life of a Care Home Carer
With Carers’ Week falling in the month of June, we thought we’d take some time to shine a light on the fantastic work carers do, as well as what a typical day in the life of a carer looks like. At Westgate Healthcare, it’s our compassionate and hardworking carers that make every day one to remember for our residents, so it’s important we recognise the huge contribution they make.
Carers’ Week is an annual campaign to raise awareness of caring and highlight the challenges carers face. Around 6.5 million people in the UK are carers, whether they’re professional carers working in residential care homes and out in the community, or carers looking after their parents, partners, a child or friend.
Of course, caring can be a hugely rewarding career, but it can also be quite challenging. But what does a typical day in the life of a care home carer look like?
A day in the life of a care home carer
Working in a care home is a varied and stimulating job that gives you the opportunity to work with an incredibly diverse group of people. They can have complex conditions such as dementia or simply be looking for the companionship and peace of mind that comes from living in a safe and supportive community of like-minded people.
Wellbeing and personal expression are the key to a person’s happiness, so as well as treating medical conditions and providing pain relief, taking care of an individual’s emotional needs accounts for a lot of a carer’s time.
The Morning
The role of a carer will differ depending on the size of the care home and the type of care it offers. However, generally speaking, residents will be assisted with changing from their night clothes, washing and getting ready for the day. Breakfast can be served before or after this depending on the level of dependency of the home. While residents are assisted with breakfast, the medical rounds will also begin, which can take place up to five times a day. That allows for medications that need to be taken before and during breakfast.
Once everyone has eaten breakfast, it’s time to go into the day room for those that want to. Individual and group activities can take place which require the assistance of carers, or residents can choose to watch the TV, read or remain in their rooms.
The Afternoon
Residents will have lunch and those needing assistance with feeding will be supported by caregivers. Carers may also be required to assist with another medical round during this time, as well as providing care for those who are unable to leave their beds and require more extensive care. That may include communicating with medical professionals such as nurses or a GP if there’s a change in an individual’s condition.
At Westgate care homes, the afternoon is an excellent time for our carers to assist residents with individual hobbies they are interested in such as gardening or crafts, as well as group activities such as dancing classes, bingo, hairdressing and other events that frequently take place. Working at a care home is as much about providing care as it is offering companionship, encouraging a sense of independence and facilitating an individual’s interests, so this is an extremely important part of the role.
The Evening
After a delicious and nutritious homecooked meal, residents will spend the evening in the communal rooms or in their own rooms if they prefer. All resident rooms have a call bell system that carers respond to quickly at any time of the day or night. Residents with conditions such as dementia will also require extra checks to ensure they’re safe and comfortable as they may not be able to call for assistance.
Are you interested in a career in care?
Working as a care home carer can be challenging and emotionally involving, but it’s also extremely rewarding. If you’re interested in making a difference to people’s lives and have genuine compassion for the elderly, find out how you can join our team today.
