Time flies
Two and a half years into my caring journey it is time to reflect on how things have progressed.I have had the privilege of meeting so many people. Most of them have been welcoming and grateful. Some need that extra pair of hands to help with bathing or dressing, others appreciate the good food and clean home. Not everyone has needed personal care which is the first thing everyone imagines you will be doing all day every day.
Manual handling
Very few of my clients have required manual handling which has suited me well. My clients have been frail due to falls or had restricted arm movements due to arthritis. Mainly I have worked with clients in varying stages of their alzheimers journey.
Guest in their home
Whoever I have been with, the most important thing for me has always been to remember I am a guest in their home, but I am there to make their life as smooth as possible. My job is to enable them to enjoy the freedom of their home for as long as possible.
Passing on
Sadly some clients pass away and that
can be very emotional to deal with. You have had the privilege of sharing their final months or years together so it can be very sad when they are no longer there. They may have told you their thoughts on life and death and if they have said they are ready to leave this world, that makes it easier to accept their passing.
Moving to residential care
When the level of care becomes too intense the family may recognise that live in care is no longer an option and plans are made for the client to go to residential care. That can also be a very emotional experience as preparations are made. It can be particularly sad if you have spent a long time with that client and built up a strong relationship with them.
Give yourself a break
Losing a client from death or going into residential care is hard and you might need a break to clear your thoughts before you are ready to start work again. Recharging your batteries is always a good idea.
Feeling at home
By and large you meet some lovely people and find yourself going back to the same clients on a schedule that works for you. It is a wonderful feeling when you return to a client feeling like it is a second home as you know the household routine and where to find everything in the house. It sometimes takes a while to get your bearings and remember the layout but it all comes back very quickly.
Appliance care
A lot of clients have all the manuals for their appliances like washing machines and driers but if they don't you can easily type in the make and model number into Google and download the manual. I prefer to check rather than damage the client's appliances.
Meals
Most clients like freshly cooked meals which you eat together at a time to suit the client. Some prefer main meal mid day, others prefer main meal at night. Once I was caught out when on arrival I was told I was expected to provide my own meals and I would be given £40 per week towards that. I quickly opened a Tesco online shopping account and had a delivery the next day. Had I been told in advance I could have scheduled an order to be delivered on my day of arrival. That was an exceptional circumstance, and is really a poor reflection on the outgoing carer who should have thought to mention it in the two conversations we had prior to my arrival. It also shows the importance of keeping the agency informed of such arrangements which may change after the initial setup with the agency.
Car
A lot of agencies say drivers are preferred which is fair enough. However I am surprised at how many clients expect the carer to provide their car for client outings and appointments. Fortunately they are happy to pay mileage. However if a carer lives overseas they are not likely to have a car in the UK so those jobs have to go to vehicle owners. Some clients do provide a vehicle for the carer to drive them but the client must add the carer to their insurance policy
Driving
I was very nervous to drive in the beginning and I even took some driving lessons to get the feel in an automatic car which I had never driven before. I managed to get non driving jobs in the beginning so I was more relaxed in my environment by the time I eventually did start driving for a client who had her own car. I have been fine in the quiet villages and the country but would not be too keen to drive in a busy city.
Satnav
I did invest in Satnav which gives me confidence as my sense of direction is hopeless. A lot of people use Google maps instead of satnav but I guess that works well if your phone is on contract with lots of data each month. For those who use the phone as a satnav there is a fabulous magnet which looks and works much better than those suction holders that stick on the windscreen.
Doing ok
Things back in Zimbabwe are not good at the time I am writing this. That is a situation we are well accustomed to. I have got used to the nomadic lifestyle and although my thoughts are constantly with loved ones at home I know I am doing the right thing. We all do this job for a specific and different reason. I am on track to achieve my goals. Halfway into it at least I can see light at the end of the tunnel.
