What Does a Carer Do?

In healthcare, the role of a carer is very important. A carer is someone who cares for another person, where the other person has needs they cannot cope with on their own. Carers may be caring for an elderly person in their own home, a senior in a care home, a person with mental health problems, or someone with Alzheimer’s. There are many situations in which a person needs care, and as such there are many different roles for the carer and a number of different aspects to the job. The duties of a carer are varied and the role depends on the client’s needs. Here we talk a little about the most common carer duties and what most carers do on a daily basis.

While the duties vary between each situation, carers are generally on hand in order to help with personal care needs. Most carers will assist with bathing and washing, and will carry out household tasks that the client needs help with. In addition, the role of the carer is to make the client’s life easier and more fulfilling, as well as safer and more productive. Carers are not there to take over someone’s life, and instead they will encourage the client to be as independent as possible and to find their own solutions to problems, all the while ensuring that they are safe and happy.

According to www.coriniumcare.com, a carer should look after their client as they would a member of their own family – with the same sense of compassion, as well as patience and with a sense of humour. Carers are encouraged to build a mutually respectful relationship with their client and develop an understanding and friendship.

Actual duties of a carer will vary depending on the situation. Some carers are live-in carers providing 24-hour help when needed, while others come into the client’s home for a few hours a day or when the client needs particular help, for example when getting up and dressed. A live-in carer will help with all aspects of daily life including administering medications, bathing, helping the person use the toilet, lifting them when needed, and preparing food. In a live-in care situation where the client needs help with all these aspects the role is often more strenuous and physically demanding. In the case where a client needs help with lighter tasks, such as shopping or housework, the role is less demanding.

In general, carers oversee the health and wellbeing of the person they are looking after, and they help the person stay independent while keeping an eye on their safety. Carers may drive their client to appointments, or help them with tasks like filling out forms or using the computer. A carer’s role is varied and the experience of every carer will be different. But what draws all carers together is the desire to help someone live a better, safer and healthier life.

Louise Carr is a health writer creating content for a variety of blogs and websites. Find out more about carers and the role of the carer at www.coriniumcare.com

Louise Carr writes for home and garden blogs and websites, including articles about services like http://bbsplumbandheat.com. She is a freelance writer based in Buenos Aires.