Would You Like to Work in Domiciliary Care?
Have you finished work but feel you are not ready to retire completely? Like many people who retire, you may still be very active and would like to do some work again. If so, have you thought about working in domiciliary care?
What Is Domiciliary Care?
Domiciliary care, or home care, is care provided in people's homes. It is an immeasurably important service delivered to some of the most frail and vulnerable members of our society. With a little help from home care providers like us, these important members of our society maintain their independence and remain living in the homes they love. It is difficult to over-exaggerate just how important this service is. Many of our customers have lived in their home for decades so it's little wonder that they choose to stay there.
What Makes a Good Care and Support Worker?
The one thing we do not look for is experience. The most important qualities we seek cannot be taught. It is our considered view that people who have the advantage of years on their side often make very good carers. The quality of patience and the ability to empathise with others - key to successful care work - are usually highly developed in people of maturity.
It pretty much goes without saying that you have to be caring. It is not, however, a given that people who work in care are always caring. You need only look at some of the horrendous abuse cases that have happened in the last few years to be disturbingly reminded of this.
Perhaps the single most important quality for any care and support worker to possess is reliability. When you work in care, many people rely upon you. Your customers rely upon you; their families rely upon you; your colleagues rely upon you, and often other health professionals rely upon you.
You will have to be absolutely comfortable delivering personal care. We provide a wide range of services to our customers including preparing meals, shopping, medication support and domestic help. Rarely are people uncomfortable with these activities. However, personal care - the service that we most commonly provide - is something that some people are a little awkward with. You MUST be completely comfortable, competent and confident in delivering personal care. The people you are caring for are already placed in a position where their dignity is threatened. Your discomfort will only exacerbate matters.
What Should You Do Next?
If you are interested in what you have read and would like to find out more, why not come along to our coffee morning. it is being held at on Monday 6 November 2017 at Smith's Court Hotel - Eastern Esplanade, Cliftonville, CT9 2HL, between 10.00 am - 12.00.
The world of domiciliary care is changing, and working for Caremark Thanet over the next few years is going to open up enormous opportunities for you. Finding out more by attending our coffee morning may be one of the best things you do.
If you want to book a place contact Jemma Clayton on 01843 235910, or email Jemma at jemma.clayton@caremark.co.uk.
We are aiming the event at people who are retired; however, we have vacancies for care and support workers from the age of 18 upwards. So if you know someone who hasn't quite reached retirement age, bring them along with you. You and they will be very welcome, indeed.
Garry Costain is the Managing Director of Caremark Thanet, a domiciliary care provider with offices in Margate, Kent. Caremark Thanet provides home care services throughout the Isle of Thanet. Garry can be contacted on 01843 235910 or email garry.costain@caremark.co.uk. You can also visit Caremark Thanet's website at www.caremark.co.uk/thanet.
