Carer Work

[alicebear87]

Hello all,

Is there anyone here who works as a carer? If so, how do people feel about their job, does it give job satisfaction, how tiring is it, what are the best and worst bits?

I would really appreciate hearing about this career.

Thanks!

[wakeover]

A carer is usually a low paid occupation and has to attend to the basic issues of caring for people who are unable to attend to very personal issues. A care officer, however, is usually a position requiring an NVQ at level 2 or better still a level 3 and attends to the daily control of people who require this sort of attention, either directed by the courts or social services. The latter one carries the better salary.

[Ice.Maiden]

Hi alice. I'm not a carer, but know several people who are. The "best and worst bits" - including how tired you might feel, doesn't really come into it, because the demands of the elderly have to be taken into account, and if you're cut out for that sort of work - as with nurses - you'll do it for the love of it anyway. In other words, job satisfaction (should be) the reason why you'd want to get into that line of work in the first place.

[pinktwink]

there are different types of carers i think it is a very rewarding job and yet the hardest in many ways as it requires you to give of yourself

[Ice.Maiden]

That sounds about right, pink - and obviously it helps if you have a genuine rapport with elderly people. God willing, we're all going to get there one day ourselves, so it's nice to think that if the need arose, you'd have some nice and understanding people to care for you.

[pinktwink]

What do you see, nurse, what do you see
What are you thinking when you look at me
A crabby old women, not very wise
Uncertain of habit, with far away eyes,
Who dribbles her food, and makes not reply
When you say in a loud voice I do wish you'd try

Who seems not to notice the things that you do
And forever is losing a stocking or shoe.
Who, unresisting or not lets you do as you will
With bathing and feeding the long day to fill

Is that what you're thinking, is that what you see
Then open your eyes, you're not looking at me.
I'll tell you who I am, as I sit here so still,
As I move at your bidding, as I eat at your will.

I am a small child of ten with a father and mother,
Brothers and sisters who love one another.
A bride soon at twenty, my heart gives a leap,
Remembering the vows that I promised to keep.

At twenty-five now I have young of my own,
Who needs me to build a secure, happy home.
A women of thirty, my young grow fast,
Bound to each other with ties that should last.

At fourty my young now soon will be gone,
But my man stays beside me to see I don't mourn.
At fifty once more babies play around my knee,
Again we know children, my loved one and me.

Dark days are upon me, my husband is dead,
I look at the future, I shudder with dread.
For my young are all busy rearing young of their own,
And I think of the years and the love I have known.

I'm an old lady now and nature is cruel,
It's her jest to make old age look like a fool.
The body is crumbles, grace and vigor depart,
And now there is a stone where I once had a heart.

But inside this old carcass a young girl still dwells,
And now and again my battered heart swells.
I remember the joys, I

[pinktwink]

sorry couldnt post link so pasted its a poem from an elderly patient found in her locker after her death

[Ice.Maiden]

I've read it before hun - very poignant, isn't it? I had to grow up very quickly, as I married young and started a family straight away. I'm still only 29, but we have a large and close-knit family (not me personally - just got the two!! Lol) , and we all appreciate each other, from the youngest to the eldest. Just the way we were brought up. I think looking after old folk must be, as you said, rewarding - but very tiring sometimes as well.
Anyway, I'm off to bed now. Been nice talking to you.
Night everyone. x

[Slooow_Jo]

Pink that is a great peom I have read it before, I do believe it takes a certain someome to be a carer, I've been a kinda part-tine caer & that was weird & hard.
I have 3 family members who do it as a job, & they all find it rewarding

[alicebear87]

Thanks everyone, some interesting things to think about there