In the UK, July is ‘Good Care Month’ and at Beloved Homecare, we think this is one of the most important months of the year. Good Care Month is designed to raise awareness about care services and recognise the incredible work social care workers do on a daily basis. This campaign also aims to inspire people to become carers and support the ageing population.
We are lucky to have an incredible team of healthcare assistants at Beloved Homecare, and the emotional and physical support they provide has a huge impact on our clients’ lives. By offering a range of home care services, our care team helps elderly people live independently at home in line with their wishes whilst maintaining the highest quality of life possible.
It is estimated that by 2036, one in four of the population will be over 65 and now that people are living longer, care services are more in demand than ever before. There aren’t enough trained carers to support those who want to continue living in the comfort of their own homes and the care industry needs more people to consider a career in care. Working as a healthcare assistant and providing elderly care in the community is actually incredibly rewarding, and there are several benefits associated with joining a home care agency.
If you’ve never considered working in social care and you’re wondering whether it’s something you’d be suited to, below we have listed some of the qualities healthcare assistants should have. Being a care worker is more about the type of person you are rather than the experience and qualifications you have, and full training will be provided by a home care agency.
Patient
When you’re working with elderly people, having patience is really important. You need to be able to take things at your clients’ pace without rushing them or getting frustrated with them and being a patient person will help to improve the quality of care you’re providing. If you’re able to handle situations calmly and you’re tolerant and forbearing, you would likely be able to support elderly people in their own homes.
Sociable
To be able to care for someone you’ve never met before and put them at ease whilst doing so, you need to be a warm and friendly person. If you’re sociable, you will find it easier to make conversation with your clients and build a rapport with them over time. Having a cheery demeanour will lift your clients’ spirits too, improving their mental wellbeing.
Reliable
Some elderly people are reliant on healthcare assistants and without them, they’d have to move into a care home. When you work in the care industry, you will play a pivotal role in your clients’ lives and they will count on you to provide them with the support they need with everyday tasks. If you’re a reliable person, your clients can rest assured knowing you won’t let them down and their loved ones won’t need to worry.
Compassionate
As people get older, they often become frustrated that they’re not as able as they used to be and accepting help isn’t always easy. Being compassionate and empathetic can be really useful when you’re working as a healthcare assistant, and understanding your clients’ emotions will help you to provide care in line with their wishes and beliefs.
Passionate
It is fair to say that being a healthcare assistant isn’t always an easy job and some days will be more difficult than others. To ensure you’re still providing the best care to your clients on days when things aren’t necessarily going to plan, you need to be passionate. Truly caring about your clients and being committed to helping others will help to ensure you’re providing the best home care services, even on difficult days.
Applying for a healthcare assistant role
Should you be interested in working for a home care agency and you’d like to find out more about doing so, don’t hesitate to contact us at Beloved Homecare. We’re always looking for new healthcare assistants in Sale and the surrounding areas to provide our clients with exceptional home care services, and we will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Here at Beloved Homecare, we see our care workers as individuals, not just a number, and we have a close-knit team who are supportive of each other. You don’t need to have any experience to become a healthcare assistant with us, we will provide you with the comprehensive training you need, and we ensure all new healthcare assistants are supported to deliver a high-quality service. Good Care Month really is the perfect time to start your new career in care.
