Working in care and offering support to those who need it can be extremely rewarding. For anyone passionate about helping others, being a carer may just be the most gratifying and fulfilling occupation in the UK.

In this post, Four Oaks Healthcare looks at what a day in the life of a carer looks like, the challenges of being a carer, and why this role may be the right one for you. Keep reading to find out why you should consider working in the care industry.

What makes care work rewarding?

The main reason why care work is so rewarding is that you will be making a significant difference in someone’s life. And since carers help the most vulnerable members of our society, from the elderly to those suffering from disease, disorders and injury, you can make a positive impact on the lives of those who need it most.  

Being a carer also gives you the opportunity to talk to and learn from those with more life experience than yourself. Lastly, carrying out practical, useful tasks can be very rewarding, and receiving the appreciation of your patients is a heartwarming and valuable feeling.

What does a day in the life of a carer look like? 

The care sector is a broad industry with many different roles. A live-in carer, for example, will have a very different day from someone who is working in a care home. At the same time, a carer working with dementia patients will have a different experience than one working with disabled children. 

However, while there is no standard that can be counted upon, there are a number of responsibilities that can be expected from a carer on a daily basis. Here are the main responsibilities that a carer will have every day:

• Helping with medication
• Providing bathroom support 
• Assisting with mobility throughout the house or care home
• Offering friendship or a caring ear
• Ensuring that the patient is as comfortable as possible

Additional roles of a live-in carer

If you are considering being a live-in carer, you can also expect these responsibilities to be part of your everyday life:

• Doing household duties (cleaning or laundry)
• Cooking meals 
• Running errands
• Pet care (walking the dogs)

One of the most interesting aspects of being a carer is that no two days are the same. So while these tasks and responsibilities will make up the foundation of your day, you may find that one day looks very different to the next.

Tip: If you would like to know more, this blog about the responsibilities of a live-in carer will answer all of your questions.

What are the challenges of being a carer? 

Of course, being a carer is not all positive. It comes with a number of challenges that need to be handled with patience and empathy. Here are the main challenges of being a carer:

• Feelings of anger, guilt and frustration are common
• Caring for a vulnerable person can be stressful
• You might neglect yourself while caring for another
• Providing physical assistance can be difficult
• Irregular hours are common
• You may find yourself feeling socially isolated
• The person or people that you are caring for might resist or respond negatively

Important qualities of a good carer

While these challenges may be difficult for anyone to navigate, people with certain characteristics will be better prepared to handle them than others. Here are the most important characteristics of a carer:

• Respectful
• Empathetic and compassionate
• Patient and caring
• Reliable
• Positive and supportive
• Observant
• Practical
• Good communicator

Do you want to become a carer?

If you are interested in becoming a carer, take a look at our carer careers page, on which you can find useful information, our current vacancies, and more about becoming a carer in the UK.