A professional carer can make a huge difference in the quality of life of their clients, encouraging them to live independently while upholding their dignity and pride. There are several responsibilities and duties of a carer that you can expect to see as a client.
Whether you’re looking into care options for yourself or a loved one, or are considering becoming a carer yourself, we’ll walk you through the key duties of a carer in this guide.
What does a carer do?
A carer is someone who offers extensive support to vulnerable people who otherwise wouldn’t be able to manage daily activities on their own. Carers are able to improve their clients’ standard of living by offering encouragement and assistance with things like personal care, mobility, companionship and other daily tasks.
Sometimes, carers are trained to provide specialist support for clients dealing with specific conditions, such as Parkinson’s or dementia care. Carers often work irregular hours and shift work to accommodate when their clients need visiting care. Others may work as live-in carers, moving into their clients’ homes to offer round-the-clock support.
Many people require care in their day-to-day lives, such as:
- People with learning, physical or mental disabilities
- Elderly adults
- People living with long term or chronic conditions
Key duties of a carer
The main duties of a carer will vary from client to client, depending on the specific support they need and what their treatment plan recommends. However, in general, the key duties of a carer can include:
Personal care
Personal care is an important part of the support carers provide as many vulnerable people aren’t able to look after their personal hygiene as easily as they’d like.
Personal care is an umbrella term for duties such as:
- Hair care
- Shaving
- Skincare
- Dressing
- Bathing
- Toileting
- Brushing their teeth
- Maintaining their nails
Some people will only need minor encouragement to complete personal care on their own, while others may require a much higher level of assistance and support. Personal care is extremely important when maintaining a client’s dignity and health, as it’s fundamental to their well-being and overall quality of life. Therefore, a carer must be compassionate and professional about this duty.
Domestic duties
Many people require support with day-to-day living tasks. A carer has a responsibility to help manage their client’s house and keep it running smoothly, allowing them to take pride in their home even when they can’t upkeep it themselves. Domestic tasks also keep clients safe by reducing the risk of respiratory illnesses and infections.
Aside from cleaning, domestic duties may include assistance with feeding and hydration, along with chores such as ironing. When needed, a carer can help with administrative tasks such as paying bills and booking appointments. However, carers also have a responsibility to foster independence as much as possible, whenever they can.
Health monitoring
While a carer may not be a healthcare professional, they have a big role in monitoring and maintaining their client’s health and well-being.
They may be responsible for:
- Managing and administering medication, keeping on top of doses and correct timings
- Liaising with the wider healthcare team to update information regarding a person’s care
- Tailoring the care plan to the individual as their condition progresses or changes
- Accompanying the client to their appointments to discuss their circumstances and needs
Mobility assistance
Mobility is an essential aspect of care, especially for those who find it difficult to get themselves out of bed and chairs or move around their homes. A dedicated carer can support independence and quality of life by assisting with mobility and encouraging movement. The more a person works their muscles, the lower their risk of injuries, falls, more disabling symptoms and weakness.
As with most of their duties, a carer will encourage their client to be as independent as possible. This means being there for moral support as a person moves from room to room, following closely in case they become unstable, but not touching or holding them the entire time. Too much mobility support can lead to dependency, which can have adverse effects in the future.
Companionship
As we age, we become more at risk of loneliness and isolation – and this can affect our health and well-being. Age UK reports that 9 out of 10 older people who are often lonely also suffer from being unhappy or depressed. 1 in 14 people over the age of 65 often feel lonely.
Because of this, a carer is there to provide companionship care as often as it’s needed. Carers, especially those who offer live-in or round-the-clock support, are often the main source of interaction many vulnerable people have. For some, a care visit may be the only time they get to talk to someone.
Companionship can be as simple as sitting down with the client and having a chat over a cup of tea. Others may prefer days out, so a carer could arrange a visit to the shops or a local cafe. Spending time with clients and actively listening to them often makes a huge impact on their lives.
Encouragement to live life to the fullest
Sometimes, a person who needs care may feel like they can’t live life how they want to out of fear of progressing their illness or exacerbating symptoms such as extreme fatigue. Along with looking after their physical needs, the role of a carer often extends to mental health and emotional well-being, too. Encouraging clients to continue hobbies and activities that they enjoy is a great way to improve their social life, self-care and overall happiness.
Example hobbies and activities for carers to share with clients include:
- Cooking together
- Listening to music or watching films
- Reading
- Playing board games or completing puzzles
- Gently walking outside
- Gardening
- Crafts, such as painting or knitting
- Cognitive games, such as word searches and Sudoku
Talk to our dedicated team of experts today
The standards set by Patricia White 30 years ago still apply today. Call our experienced team today on 01293 224712 to discuss your home care needs and receive a free, no-obligation quotation.
Or feel free to send us a message using our online enquiry form. A member of our expert care team will respond as soon as possible, typically within 24 hours.
