If you are naturally caring and compassionate, then a career as a live in carer could be your dream job. It’s not all cups of tea and chats about the good old days. Many of the people you might care for will be extremely frail and many will prone to getting confused or forgetful, which can be trying. Not everyone has the right qualities to look after someone full-time – so how do you shape up?

Patience

Perhaps the biggest personal quality you need to be a carer. You need patience while you wait for your client to finish a task or to walk along a hallway. You need patience when you’ve had to repeat yourself several times before they hear and understand you correctly. You also need to be supportive and encouraging and be able to find a kind word and a smile however frustrated you feel inside.

Flexible

Your client, or their family, has chosen live in care over a care home because what they are looking for is a bespoke service. So you need to be able to adapt to the routine your client has. You need to be comfortable planning on the fly and fitting in tasks where you can around your main role – providing the care and support your client needs to remain in their own home.

Friendly and welcoming

You are going to be spending a lot of time with the same person (and possibly their spouse and pets) so you need to be able to get along with new people. You will need to build a working relationship quickly whilst retaining sufficient professionalism to get the job done.

Good communicator

If you are interested in home care jobs you have to be good a communicating. You will need to talk to your client, their family and potentially pass on health information to other healthcare professionals. You need to be a good listener as well. Your client may find it hard to put their thoughts into words or they may have difficulties with the physical act of speech. They may also need someone to talk things over. They may be resentful of their ageing, scared of dying, feeling guilty that they can no longer help themselves and they will need a listening ear (and possibly shoulder to cry on).

Responsible and decisive

As a live in carer you have to take charge of the household. On top of usual household duties such as cleaning and cooking you will need to ensure that your client takes medications, performs physiotherapy exercises and attends follow-up appointments. You will also need a cool head in a crisis. As a full-time carer you will be the one who will have to decide when further medical aid should be sought and to provide first aid and calm words whilst you wait.

So, do you have what it takes? Are you still interested in a career as a live in carer now you know more about what you need to be one?