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Help With Tasks Many Take For Granted
Being able to go about our daily activities with ease is something that most of us take for granted. We have been eating, drinking, sleeping, talking and walking without thought for as long as we can remember. However, some people, as a result of old age or disabilities, need help with these daily activities.
Fortunately, for those who need a helping hand , there are professional caregivers who are trained to assist.
Carers provide support services to elderly people or to those with disabilities in their clients' homes, at community service establishments or in nursing homes. Their duties vary from client to client. They may be required to provide assistance with personal care duties, such as showering or dressing, and they may also assist with general household duties, such as washing and shopping, especially for clients who live independently. Some carers may take their clients on outings if they have difficulty moving around without assistance.
Lending A Hand Or Just A Friendly Ear
In addition to the practical assistance that professional carers provide, the simple gift of companionship, whether it is having a chat or enjoying a cup of tea with their client, is often just as important to an aged or disabled person.
Care-giving responsibilities for an aged or disabled person who lives in the family home typically falls on the shoulders of a family member or spouse. As this role can often be a rather demanding one, professional carers can also be called in to give family carers some free time.
The Benefits Of The Job
Tania from Perth Home Care Services has been an aged and disabilities care worker for four years. She has cared mostly for aged clients, and occasionally for young children with a disability. While she has had to deal with some demanding situations, she says that it is an occupation that she finds very rewarding.
''I love it, partly because it is very challenging. Some people are more difficult than others and sometimes I ask myself why am I doing this? But helping people who are often just plain frustrated because they need help with things they were once able to do for themselves is what makes it rewarding.''
A Certain Kind Of Attitude
This occupation requires people with a caring and supportive attitude towards people suffering in difficult circumstances. Patience and good decision-making are also useful traits for a prospective carer to have, as aged or disabled clients may need assistance in performing a range of activities.
Dedication is also required as you may have to work in the evening, on weekends and public holidays, or on a live-in basis.
Organisations which employ aged or disabilities carers can arrange for a carer to be in someone's home on an hourly, daily, overnight or continuous basis. Clients who have just undergone an operation may feel more at ease if they know that a carer actually lives in their home and can assist them whenever a situation arises.
The Changing Face of Care-giving
Factors such as an ageing population have led to an increase in the number of employment opportunities for aged and disability carers. People are also becoming increasingly aware of the range of care services that are available. While in the past the elderly were often cared for by their families, this too is changing. Due to work or other commitments, there is often no one at home to undertake a full-time carer's role, creating a further increase in the demand for carers. These trends are expected to continue, although the large numbers in training may make the job market quite competitive.
These carers typically work on a casual basis. For more information regarding these salaries, check out the Australian Workplace Government Authority website below.
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