Exactly right. We also help people get out and about, to appointments, visiting friends etc, and sometimes look after people who have to spend all their time in bed.

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Nearly all homecare is non-medical, so we tend not to do things like injections unless you've done further specialist training and have demonstrated that you're confident and competent to do that procedure.

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That's a great motivation to get into homecare. It's a job that makes a real, immediate difference to people's lives, and offers career progression and continuous learning, especially with the right company.

Unfortunately people don't tend to get into homecare because it's an easy job! It can be demanding, dealing with clients in difficult situations, and is a very active role, so if you're looking for an easy job, homecare might not be the ideal job for you.

Homecare can be a great part-time job, so if you choose the right company to work with, you can find hours that suit you, but often there is a need to work at least every second weekend because most people need care seven days a week.

Because carers are in a position of trust and confidence, and are often interacting with vulnerable clients, they aren’t allowed to accept personal gifts, even if they made a massive impact on someone’s quality of life (which they often do!). It’s best to keep a more professional relationship as they are paying for a service.

That’s right. You obviously don’t want to offend her, as it’s a very kind gesture, but it’s important to make it clear that you can’t accept that gift.

This would put the daughter in a bit of an awkward situation and she may feel she has to say yes to you, as you mean so much to her mum. It’s best to say you unfortunately aren’t allowed to accept gifts, so you don’t get into difficult conversations like this!

Oh dear. It doesn't seem like homecare is the right career choice for you...!

Most hands-on care roles don't have 9-5 hours unfortuately, as most people need help early in the morning to get up and ready for the day, or for tea, evening, or night calls. Most of the time you can have a discussion about a care employer about a work pattern that suits you as well as the clients' needs though. 

There are also a variety of office-based jobs in homecare that are much more 9-5 friendly!

That's great - Homecare offers a big variety of contract options depending on your exact situation. It's often quite flexible as well, so you could change your hours if your situation changes.

Fair enough! Unfortunately, most hands-on care roles do need some availability over alternating weekends as the service is generally needed seven-days per week.

Brilliant - Most care providers do ask people to work at least part of alternate weekends, so they can provide care seven days a week for their clients.

That's right! Although he has a physical problem that means he needs help to get dressed, he still has a right to wear whatever he likes, despite what his family members may think.

Although his daugher has put some clothes out for him to wear, he still has a right to choose what he wants.

This means that if he wants to wear a dress, he should be able to. It might make for a tricky conversation with his daughter, but it is important to do what is in the client's best interests.

That's right. It can be difficult for family members when they don't agree with clients' wishes or decisions, so we need to show empathy towards her and try to explain our actions as as best we can.

Although it's a difficult conversation to have, not addressing it openly may cause more issues in the longer-term, rather than listening to her concerns and explaining why we need to follow the wishes of our client.

You would always be able to contact the office for advice if you ever came across this sort of situation!

Even if someone is relatively light, you can cause damage to yourself and the client by not following the proper moving and handling plan. It's always best to follow the care plan, and when in doubt, to phone the office before doing anything that may be risky.

In this situation it'd be better to leave him in bed temporarily while the office sort out a solution with his family and Occupational Therapy team.