Care work advice

pennyshahin_2

Hi I'm looking to get into care work, I've finished a portfolio and been offered bank work in a residential home, it's what I want to do-I really feel guided -i've started to some voluntary work for age uk(hospital discharge) everything is fine -the only reason that I'm getting a bit worried is that about 15 or 16 years ago I got a chest infection and it left a scar on my lung -everynow and again-i could go months without a problem but now and again it aches a bit if I over do it -and I'm slightly worried because I know care work involves manual handling-I never thought about it before it'sonlybecause it's ached a bit for the last few days that I've evevn thought about it-what do you think ? -I'd hate to give up now

cookie54

it will be a physical job but you should get training in manuel handling which will show u haow to move things without putting a strain on your back etc and what height to do things etc . as bank you may not be working loads anyway .........

doodlesmum

Hi,

I work in care as a community care worker and ALD support worker it is a job i love doing and have been doing it for nearly 19yrs .
It is physical work , you should get manual handling training as this would come under health and safety your employer has to adhere to that.
The word manual handling covers a lot it can be anything from moving a person in bed etc.
No lifting is allowed now it was years ago when i first started but now if a person needs assistance to move there are various aids ie handling belts,hoists,slide sheets etc you should never be asked to physically lift someone without an aid it is illegal and dangerous.

When doing any sort of manual handling all the above things will be taken in to account another thing to take into account is height of carer to service user or if you have two carer workers it is a good idea to if possible have carer works of similar height thought it is not always possible and communication is essential always explain to the service user what you intend to do and make sure if there are two care workers they each know what they are going to do so one does"nt start before the other if that makes sense.

I have rambled on a bit hope it has helped , it is all what you will be taught on a manual handling course. Good luck if you decide to take the job

Doodlesmum