A Day in the Life of a Caremark Warwick Care Assistant
No two days are the same for a Caremark Warwick Care Assistant. Every customer has different needs and various routines. We asked one of our longstanding and dedicated Care Assistants, Judy Dyson, to share her perspective.
How long have you been working for Caremark Warwick?
I have been with Caremark Warwick for 5 years. I work Monday to Friday, and my working day varies in terms of timings depending on the customer.
Please could you describe the customers you support?
Most of the customers I support are elderly in their 80s or 90s. They tend to have mobility issues and many live alone. Although some of our customers have family living close by, as people are busy working, they struggle to provide care for their loved ones.
Please could you describe the customers you support?
I help our customers with everyday tasks such as personal care, getting dressed, and preparing meals. I also provide companionship, especially those living with dementia.
Do you accompany people into the local community?
Yes, I have one customer who loves clothes shopping, so we regularly visit the shops together. I have another customer who I take to a community gardening club, where they have a potter, chat to others and have a cup of tea. I also support a customer who’s profoundly disabled and I take her for a drive to a local garden centre or shops.
What do you think is important to your customers?
My customers enjoy a variety of sights and sounds, but they also like to have a routine. Knowing a familiar, friendly face is visiting them at the same time, same day each week provides comfort and reassurance. It really helps when someone has another person to talk with. It doesn’t have to be an in-depth conversation; just general chitchat. Most of my customers love talking about their families and what their grandchildren are doing.
What are the other positive impacts of providing home care?
The family of one of my customers noticed their loved one’s mood had changed after my regular visits began and they could see it had really lifted their spirits. When you spend time regularly with someone, you can also notice straightaway when their mood or demeanour changes and I then adapt how I am with that person. From a health perspective, we can also spot important changes when someone may be starting to become unwell.
How do you manage a health issue with a customer?
As a Care Assistant, I am not a medically trained nurse. If one of my customers appears to be unwell, I can notify their GP if I am concerned. I will also contact the District Nurse and request them to come out, which is common when people have pressure sores or ulcers.
What’s the process when you first start supporting someone?
An initial assessment is made by a senior member of our team who carries out a factfinding exercise to understand the customer’s preferences, likes and dislikes. This is very detailed, including how they like their cup of tea, and helps us prepare before we meet the customer. As we get to know them, we adapt our behaviour in line with their moods. Many people are unaware, for example, that people living with dementia can experience variable moods.
Do you enjoy your role as a Care Assistant?
I really enjoy supporting people and hearing all about their fascinating lives. Previous to becoming a Care Assistant, I was a foster carer, which was a 24/7 job. In my current role, I am lucky to work during a standard working week and now enjoy a better work-life balance. Although you are their reassuring, safe companion, it’s important to always maintain professional boundaries with customers. If I do have a tough day, I decompress by putting my music on and driving away.
What advice would you give someone interested in becoming a Care Assistant?
Being a Care Assistant is a very rewarding role with continual training, which I have found very helpful in my life generally. You can make more sense of how people are around you, recognising when they might have a health issue or need extra support. My role has also helped me to prepare for later life.
Your Local Top 20 Home Care Provider
Whether you are looking to become a Care Assistant or if you’re interested in home care for a loved one, we can help. We also offer live-in care, where a Care Assistant lives in your loved one’s home 24/7 to provide a dedicated level of support.
Did you know that Caremark Warwick has been rated as a Top 20 Home Care Group in the West Midlands? Based on real customer reviews, Homecare.co.uk is the leading home care website in the UK, helping people to find and compare care providers.
Contact Caremark Warwick to find out more about arranging home care or becoming a Care Assistant.he conclusion subheading should also include the keyword for the article if possible)