Diary of a Home Care Worker
Sue is 33 and lives with her husband and young son in Berwick. She joined setoncare six months ago and is carer for service users who live in the centre of Berwick and in Tweedmouth.
7.15am – first visit of the day is to Mrs A, who is 79 and very frail. I help her get out of bed and dressed. This involves changing her incontinence pads, washing and dressing her. I complete a comments form about my visit, taking one copy for the office records and leaving one copy for Mrs A’s other carers.
8.00am – meet my colleague Tony at Mr B’s house. Mr B is 48 and uses a wheelchair, so it takes both of us to get him out of bed using a special hoist. I read his ‘Moving and Handling Plan’ first, as I haven’t helped Mr B before. He needs help too with going to the toilet, washing and dressing. Comments form completed.
9.15am – carry out monitoring call on Miss C, who is 65. No personal care involved, but I make sure she’s OK and help with washing dishes and hoovering. Comments form completed.
Break
10.00am - carry out monitoring call on Mrs D, who is 72. No personal care involved. I check she is OK and is taking her medication, as she tends to be a bit forgetful. I then help with a few domestic tasks like washing dishes and changing her bed. Comments form completed.
10.30am – help Mrs E, who is 60 and recently had a stroke, prepare her lunch. I then tidy and hoover her lounge and kitchen. Comments form completed.
11.00am – meet my colleague Tony again, this time to call on Mrs E, aged 74, who cannot be left alone whilst eating due to a medical condition. We prepare her lunch, which has to be blended so she can swallow it. Having two carers ensures Mrs E’s safety, while at the same time we can undertake the domestic tasks that need to be done, such as laundry and general housework. Comments form completed.
12.30pm – Tony and I then go on together to Mr F’s house. He is aged 85 and needs two carers because he has mobility problems. We carry out personal care, as Mr F needs help getting to the toilet. Comments form completed.
1.00pm – call on Mr G, who is 68 and blind. I help him get his dinner ready to eat later in the day. Comments form completed.
Break
2.30pm – call on Mrs H, who is 33 and has MS. I collect her shopping list, do the shopping, take it back to Mrs H and put it away for her. I complete a financial record, noting what money she gave me and how much I spent on her behalf. Comments form completed.
3.15pm finish
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