In England there is an ageing population and current figures suggest that by the year 2045 there will be 25 per cent of the population aged 65 or more. As a result, there are increasing numbers of people requiring care, which means there are plenty of job opportunities within the care industry in live-in care jobs. If you think you might be interested in a job in care, there are a variety of options to choose from, but you should first check that thecaring profession is the right career for you.
If you are not sure whetherlive-in care might be the best carer job for you, consider these five factors:
Would you be happy caring for just one person?
For some people, being able to give all their time and attention to just one person would be a perfectsituation. For others, however, they would prefer being able to care for a number of different people in a care home environment. In a live-in care role you care for one person 24/7 for an extended period of time – of course, with time to sleep and take a break of a holiday away. But, some carers like the social aspect of a care home where there are other carers around.
Would you be willing to provide a range of services?
Live-in care jobs in the UK usually require the carer to do more tasks that in a typical residential care home. They may need to help with hobbies, driving their client so they can meet up with friends, go to hospital appointments and even go away for a few days to visit family. There will also be the regular tasks of cooking, cleaning and shopping and possibly even gardening.
Living 24/7 with your client
Live-in care is usually one of the highest paid carer jobs within the care sector and you also have the costs of somewhere to live, heating, lighting and food all covered. In return the job is likely to taks a lot of energy and dedication.
Consider your physical fitness
Most jobs in the caring profession require a resonable level of physical fitness because you will be on the go for much of the day. This is no different with live-in care because even if you are not caring for your client every minute of the day you will be busy with tasks such as cleaning, washing, ironing and cooking. When you are helping your client directly you may have to help them up from their bed or chair so the role can require physical stamina.
Are you a naturally caring person?
It’s fairly obvious that a job in the caring profession needs people who are naturally caring, but a home care job requires a special relationship with the client unlike that it a care home. Of course, this is one of the many benefits of home care for both client and carer but it does take a certain sort of person to want to do this and be good at it. When you live with a person you will form a special client-carer relationship that is both professional but also genuinely caring.
If you are interested in a live-in care job in the UK and you think you have what it takes to do the job then it can be extremely rewarding because you will have the time to devote yourself to providing the best care for a person.