How to handle a lack of breaks
While most live-in carers know that they are entitled to 14 hours per week of break time, whether this is daily or in two large chunks at the weekend, or any similar apportioning of time, often we simply do not seem to get the allowed time, for whatever reasons.
Often the reasons may be no more than we choose to not take our break because we feel that things simply cannot go on without us. Now while this may sound very valiant, it also tends to make a rod for our own backs, and certainly goes a long way to annoy the incoming carer!
Are there exceptions to this?
There are always exceptions to the rule and breaks have and always will be one of them. Let’s look at some common reasons.
It’s an easy placement
You may find that you are lucky with your placement and that there is plenty of ‘downtime’, so you are not that desperate to take that break at 2 pm.
You may even feel a twinge of guilt at how much free time you have and decide that you want to stay close to your client and keep them company.
Your client needs you
In times where you are caring for a couple and one becomes seriously ill, you may find that you prefer to spend more time with the healthier client to perhaps keep them company, help them to stay positive and simply listen to them if they want to talk about their spouse.
It becomes unsafe to leave your client
When clients are assessed, the point is always raised of how they will be when left alone. At the time of the assessment, they may have been able to manage very well, but be aware that things tend to change, and often rapidly, particularly in cases where your client has mobility issues.
While some weeks ago they were safely left alone during your break, now it seems unsafe to do so. In fact, you may even fear for their personal safety if you go out on your own.
The solution?
In cases where you genuinely feel your client is now unsafe alone, you need to bring this up as soon as possible to agency or family. Something needs to be set in place so that you can take a break without worrying about your client and their safety.
For easy placements and clients who need someone there, the choice is left to you as to whether you feel that you have enough down time through the day and are happy to forego your set break. It is also up to you if you choose to stay with your client (perhaps at an end of life for a spouse) as a comfort to them.
Whatever you choose, you should remember that there may be an incoming carer who has her own thoughts about breaks, which may not necessarily match your own.
In an ideal world, carers would always get their breaks on time, and everyone would be happy with the arrangement. However, things in the live-in care world are fluid and can change from day-to-day.
Final thoughts
It is always best to let the incoming carer know how you take your breaks, whether at a set time or ‘as and when’ so that they have the choice even before they arrive, and they know what to expect.
A word of advice is that you do think of the next carer and don’t expect them to agree to forego a break just because you do.
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