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A Day in The Life Of a Home Care Worker
pixiehelper
Posts: 114 Forumite
Typical start 7am, travel to first home can be different client's or different area each day. Calls may vary between 1/2 hr to 1 hr, some can be more depending on time allocated.
Some calls are Council Funded, some are Private, a typical cost to a client is approx £20 per hr, typical pay to care worker £7.60 per hr or £3.80 per 1/2 hr.A Typical hr call would include checking medication in special boxes supplied by the chemist which the carer would check against company paperwork ensuring it is for the right person, right medication, right qty, check how administered and ensure all correct, if not they would need to contact their office to query within the time of the call, this box is usually checked once a week but on different day's depending on when the box start's for each client, some may take 1 tablet some may take anything up to 20 and maybe some in separate boxes, separate cough meds, some may be on oxygen, some eye drops and some ear drops, some may need to take a tablet and wait 1/2 hr before food, all would need to be listed on a medication chart, if not on the chart the carer cannot just submit i.e. apply random creams etc.
The next thing the carer would do is get a patient up, help them to wash, dry, dress, brush teeth, hair, check their piperline is on, get their breakfast,give their tablets, apply any creams or pain control patches for the client. shave if a male client, check there are no concern's, advise on situation's like keeping their legs up if swollen, report any concern's to their company, (carers have to check situation's to ensure they are following procedure and are not being difficult, just following protocol)
They would check and put in hearing aids, maybe leave a note for family if bread, milk etc running short.
Next they may put washing on, make the bed, change bedding for washing and remaking.
Empty any bin's or put rubbish out for bin men, or bring in bin's.
Inform a client of any appointment's they may have in a diary
Ensure there is no dangerous situations i.e. passage way clear, no tripping hazzards, loose wires, rug's, open curtains etc
Wash dishes, maybe put out some food for later or utensils.
Leave a drink,ensure the client has a piperline on (a device they can press which connects to emergency services if needed) a client pays so much a week for this) and ensure they have any other equipment to hand they require i.e. phone, glasses, remote, and that they can reach these some clients ability is very low i.e. muscle movement problems.
Some have meals delivered this usually is wiltshire farm foods or council services typical cost to client £3.40 a meal
Protocol is that concerns have to be reported to their office i.e.change's in swellings, bumps or any concern they feel need's to be addressed.
They also check date's on food to ensure no out of date items are about. They would clean commodes, check the client has enough pads, patches, creams etc
They would also put washing on,change bedding, wipe surfaces, ensure they have observed the client take tablets.
if time allows brush, vacumn and mop floors.
Some calls require two carers, to hoist, or use mobility aids to support a client, some clients may suggest they want things a certain way but a carer is bound by proceedure to follow a care plan, this can be frustrating for the client as they may not understand why a carer can appear un-coperative with their request but usually the carer will explain there is a reason this is so.
This would be a typical hourly call, some have longer maybe 4 hrs to do a weekly shop (sometimes accompanied or unaccompaned by cleint) housework vacumn polish, iron, cook a full meal from scratch.
On average a shift from 7 to 2 could include 9 to 10 client's average travel time between client's 10-15 mins, some could be a few street's away but typically most can be anything between 5-10 miles apart.
A Home Care Worker provide's their own car,their own phone, half of their own uniform the company provides gloves, tunic, apron and training.
If taking a client out to an gp, hospital, dental, optician appointment or shopping, private car insurance is required and sent to the office, this is paid for by the carer. Expenses paid are 40p per mile this is to cover petrol, insurance,repairs, car purchase, tyres etc. Many carer's do not get paid an hourly rate between call's and are either not paid which sometime's can be difficult as there can be gap's between call's of maybe 15 mins, or anything up to one and a half hrs, as call's maybe cancelled at short notice if zero hrs not paid, if contract usually another call is found.
Carer's often do a split shift, so may finish at 2 then go back to work at 5pm to finish anything up to 11pm and maybe a 7am start the next day.Some client's have 4 calls a day some less.
If a call is running behind, the carer need's to deal with a situation i.e if an emergency until a family member arrives, whilst contacting emergency service's and let their office know, so the office can get another worker to cover their next call if running late until they catch up.
Some are on zero hrs so no guaranteed hrs, although usually this does not happen too often as there is great demand, some on contract if a call run's over on contract the carer gets no extra pay, they run behind at call's from then on, and need to update the office to let each client know, if they run over that is just part of the job of caring.
Typically, carers do the work they do because "they care".
The problem's they may face are un-coperative client's as the call may have been put in place by family or dr who think the client needs support, they may not want this but it is done for their benefit, they may have dementia and not understand why a stranger is coming into their home and doing things for them, some can be abusive verbally and physically to them a carer may be a stranger who has come into their home and then suddenly wants to wash and feed them or they may feel they are taking over.
Some may have difficultie's in communication due to illness i.e. m.e. affects speech and can be difficult to communicate needs, often this illness comes with issues of a client wanting things done in a certain way and can appear quite controlling behaviour, and may appear they have petty request's, some may have a slow day, stomach problem's sadly there does not appear to be extra time for this mainly with council call's which are always being cut and if time increasement's are need a re-asssment is put in place, but if to much time is required suggestion's to go in a home may be recommended, this may not be what some client's prefer.
Often the carer needs to leave paperwork for district nurse's to leave supplies which are a bit frustrating as minimum supplies are left, requiring the carer to constantly make request's. Nurse's generally have a list of calls to cover per day, carers calls are time controlled.
A carer need's to ensure there is enough paperwork in place and
replenish files if need be, they also check all equipment is labelled with regular safety checks usually annual checks.
Calls are time controlled carers ring in and out for each call to the council, if two people at one call need care, each log in and out is separate for each client.
Some difficultie's for clients are that carers cannot get certain items i.e. over the counter medication, pension's, so there are area's of issue as to who can provide this for them. Many have mobiility problem's that even getting from one room to another is a struggle or getting to the toilet, so toilet call's are provided although going on demand is not quite as easy as many would like.
Sometimes a client is having a bad day, they may be moody, uncooperative, frustrated, some good day's a client will be happy appreciative, each call can vary.
So, when you see a carer looking frustrated stuck in traffic, bear in mind a thought for the job they do and the family support system they are providing because they care, some jobs are sadly underrated in society, but are probably one of the most important job's there are, a carer is a lifeline to family support enabling family's to go about their every day life without very little worry about their family member who needs support.
Some think care work is about visiting an elderly person for a coffee and chat but that is more for voluntary workers a carers service is quite a varied role.
Some calls are Council Funded, some are Private, a typical cost to a client is approx £20 per hr, typical pay to care worker £7.60 per hr or £3.80 per 1/2 hr.A Typical hr call would include checking medication in special boxes supplied by the chemist which the carer would check against company paperwork ensuring it is for the right person, right medication, right qty, check how administered and ensure all correct, if not they would need to contact their office to query within the time of the call, this box is usually checked once a week but on different day's depending on when the box start's for each client, some may take 1 tablet some may take anything up to 20 and maybe some in separate boxes, separate cough meds, some may be on oxygen, some eye drops and some ear drops, some may need to take a tablet and wait 1/2 hr before food, all would need to be listed on a medication chart, if not on the chart the carer cannot just submit i.e. apply random creams etc.
The next thing the carer would do is get a patient up, help them to wash, dry, dress, brush teeth, hair, check their piperline is on, get their breakfast,give their tablets, apply any creams or pain control patches for the client. shave if a male client, check there are no concern's, advise on situation's like keeping their legs up if swollen, report any concern's to their company, (carers have to check situation's to ensure they are following procedure and are not being difficult, just following protocol)
They would check and put in hearing aids, maybe leave a note for family if bread, milk etc running short.
Next they may put washing on, make the bed, change bedding for washing and remaking.
Empty any bin's or put rubbish out for bin men, or bring in bin's.
Inform a client of any appointment's they may have in a diary
Ensure there is no dangerous situations i.e. passage way clear, no tripping hazzards, loose wires, rug's, open curtains etc
Wash dishes, maybe put out some food for later or utensils.
Leave a drink,ensure the client has a piperline on (a device they can press which connects to emergency services if needed) a client pays so much a week for this) and ensure they have any other equipment to hand they require i.e. phone, glasses, remote, and that they can reach these some clients ability is very low i.e. muscle movement problems.
Some have meals delivered this usually is wiltshire farm foods or council services typical cost to client £3.40 a meal
Protocol is that concerns have to be reported to their office i.e.change's in swellings, bumps or any concern they feel need's to be addressed.
They also check date's on food to ensure no out of date items are about. They would clean commodes, check the client has enough pads, patches, creams etc
They would also put washing on,change bedding, wipe surfaces, ensure they have observed the client take tablets.
if time allows brush, vacumn and mop floors.
Some calls require two carers, to hoist, or use mobility aids to support a client, some clients may suggest they want things a certain way but a carer is bound by proceedure to follow a care plan, this can be frustrating for the client as they may not understand why a carer can appear un-coperative with their request but usually the carer will explain there is a reason this is so.
This would be a typical hourly call, some have longer maybe 4 hrs to do a weekly shop (sometimes accompanied or unaccompaned by cleint) housework vacumn polish, iron, cook a full meal from scratch.
On average a shift from 7 to 2 could include 9 to 10 client's average travel time between client's 10-15 mins, some could be a few street's away but typically most can be anything between 5-10 miles apart.
A Home Care Worker provide's their own car,their own phone, half of their own uniform the company provides gloves, tunic, apron and training.
If taking a client out to an gp, hospital, dental, optician appointment or shopping, private car insurance is required and sent to the office, this is paid for by the carer. Expenses paid are 40p per mile this is to cover petrol, insurance,repairs, car purchase, tyres etc. Many carer's do not get paid an hourly rate between call's and are either not paid which sometime's can be difficult as there can be gap's between call's of maybe 15 mins, or anything up to one and a half hrs, as call's maybe cancelled at short notice if zero hrs not paid, if contract usually another call is found.
Carer's often do a split shift, so may finish at 2 then go back to work at 5pm to finish anything up to 11pm and maybe a 7am start the next day.Some client's have 4 calls a day some less.
If a call is running behind, the carer need's to deal with a situation i.e if an emergency until a family member arrives, whilst contacting emergency service's and let their office know, so the office can get another worker to cover their next call if running late until they catch up.
Some are on zero hrs so no guaranteed hrs, although usually this does not happen too often as there is great demand, some on contract if a call run's over on contract the carer gets no extra pay, they run behind at call's from then on, and need to update the office to let each client know, if they run over that is just part of the job of caring.
Typically, carers do the work they do because "they care".
The problem's they may face are un-coperative client's as the call may have been put in place by family or dr who think the client needs support, they may not want this but it is done for their benefit, they may have dementia and not understand why a stranger is coming into their home and doing things for them, some can be abusive verbally and physically to them a carer may be a stranger who has come into their home and then suddenly wants to wash and feed them or they may feel they are taking over.
Some may have difficultie's in communication due to illness i.e. m.e. affects speech and can be difficult to communicate needs, often this illness comes with issues of a client wanting things done in a certain way and can appear quite controlling behaviour, and may appear they have petty request's, some may have a slow day, stomach problem's sadly there does not appear to be extra time for this mainly with council call's which are always being cut and if time increasement's are need a re-asssment is put in place, but if to much time is required suggestion's to go in a home may be recommended, this may not be what some client's prefer.
Often the carer needs to leave paperwork for district nurse's to leave supplies which are a bit frustrating as minimum supplies are left, requiring the carer to constantly make request's. Nurse's generally have a list of calls to cover per day, carers calls are time controlled.
A carer need's to ensure there is enough paperwork in place and
replenish files if need be, they also check all equipment is labelled with regular safety checks usually annual checks.
Calls are time controlled carers ring in and out for each call to the council, if two people at one call need care, each log in and out is separate for each client.
Some difficultie's for clients are that carers cannot get certain items i.e. over the counter medication, pension's, so there are area's of issue as to who can provide this for them. Many have mobiility problem's that even getting from one room to another is a struggle or getting to the toilet, so toilet call's are provided although going on demand is not quite as easy as many would like.
Sometimes a client is having a bad day, they may be moody, uncooperative, frustrated, some good day's a client will be happy appreciative, each call can vary.
So, when you see a carer looking frustrated stuck in traffic, bear in mind a thought for the job they do and the family support system they are providing because they care, some jobs are sadly underrated in society, but are probably one of the most important job's there are, a carer is a lifeline to family support enabling family's to go about their every day life without very little worry about their family member who needs support.
Some think care work is about visiting an elderly person for a coffee and chat but that is more for voluntary workers a carers service is quite a varied role.
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Comments
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They should be paid more to be honest, and the bad ones weeded out but what can you do when its not a popular profession.0
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Did it help you to share that with us?:heartpuls Mrs Marleyboy :heartpuls
MSE: many of the benefits of a helpful family, without disadvantages like having to compete for the tv remote
Proud Parents to an Aut-some son 0 -
a typical cost to a client is approx £20 per hr, typical pay to care worker £7.60 per hr or £3.80 per 1/2 hr.
I'm not sure where you are but in the Midlands upwards clients can pay as little as £11 per hour. Although, if council funded, few actually receive more than fifteen minutes two/ three times a day
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If it were me I'd limit the radius any agency could work, without special agreement (e.g. rural areas) as I'm sure the race for profits by lots of tiny companies means that carers are criss-crossing all over the place, passing each other in different directions.
It'd be much better if the job could be done walking, or on a bike, by the carer, working within, say, 1.5 miles of their house all the time.
They'd know their patch/know their people .... you might not visit number 6 any more, but you've spotted milk bottles outside so go to peek through the windows anyway, something a rushed carer in a car wouldn't notice/do as they dash off to their next person 5 miles away.0 -
PasturesNew wrote: »If it were me I'd limit the radius any agency could work, without special agreement (e.g. rural areas) as I'm sure the race for profits by lots of tiny companies means that carers are criss-crossing all over the place, passing each other in different directions.
You'd still get carers criss-crossing who work for different agencies as you can't limit areas to just 1 agency, it's not fair on clients.
So you'd have to deny people a job, carers who are badly needed, because someone already lives in the area and the 1.5 miles from their house is covered?It'd be much better if the job could be done walking, or on a bike, by the carer, working within, say, 1.5 miles of their house all the time.
Some carers do walk or bike, but you can't restrict people to that. It wouldn't work and it's unfair, even in towns. Certainly doesn't work in rural areas.
Some people are going to be happy to drive too - probably happier to drive than walk as they find the work tiring and walking would be even more tiring, they'd be on their feet all day.
They do know their people. They visit them and get to know them. Many would also notice the milk bottles and they're going to check on the person anyway so they'd know whether or not they're ok (and whether they have milk).They'd know their patch/know their people .... you might not visit number 6 any more, but you've spotted milk bottles outside so go to peek through the windows anyway, something a rushed carer in a car wouldn't notice/do as they dash off to their next person 5 miles away.
Peeking through windows is just creepy and could easily freak out people, especially an elderly person!
That's not to say you can't look out for them or check in on them but there are other ways to do that.
Carers go to where the clients are and they can't all be in the same little area, right on the doorstep of the carer. It's a hard job, it can involve travel and they don't usually get paid enough for all they do, but restrictions and limitations wouldn't make things better for the carers or the clients.0
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