As a new live-in carer, you may find it daunting when you first pack up to head off to your new placement. There is certainly a lot to think of and plenty to forget unless you are careful.
While you will probably remember the important things like passport, driver’s license and paperwork for your agency, there are some things that you may want to think about which will make your life a lot easier when you get to your new client.
A diary
This does not take up a lot of space, but you will find it very handy for remembering dates, flight numbers, train times, telephone numbers and all sorts of information that you should keep in one place rather than on pieces of paper. A slimline diary will easily fit into your handbag and hardly add to your weight allowance.
A folder
You may think about a concertina folder which flattens and opens to show several different pockets. This will be useful for filing things such as copies of your carer insurance policy, bank details, next of kin information, info sheets you receive from your agency such as what to do in an emergency, and any other information that you would normally file in your filing cabinet at home.
Copies of important numbers
While it is a good idea to keep some things apart from others, you may find it helpful to keep copies of your passport, driver’s license, as well as details of emergency numbers to call for lost/stolen bank cards. You may also want to keep numbers of your own bank, doctor, dentist, mother-in-law, and your best friend, just in case you lose your phone. (Yes, this can happen.)
Some momentoes
Remember that you may be away from your loved ones for some time, possibly even months and you will miss them very much. One or two small, framed pictures of your loved ones – spouse, granddaughter, pet pooch, will go a long way to make you feel in touch, and not take up much of that important weight allowance.
A spare key
If you have bought or plan to buy your own car, make sure you have a second key for it. In an already stressful job, the last thing you need is to be without a car while you wait for someone to unlock it.
A waterproof jacket
It is worth remembering that you are going to be working in the UK, which is notorious for unpredictable weather. Even in the heat of summer (if you get one of those) you will definitely have showers at times when you least expect them. Buy yourself a lightweight waterproof jacket which can be folded flat and weighs next to nothing, and get used to taking it out with you.
And finally
Your own potato peeler. Yes, you may laugh at this, but on that one Sunday when your client is simply not cooperating, the family have invited themselves for dinner and you are trying your best to peel those spuds with an antiquated piece of equipment from the 50’s, you will be glad that you have your own potato peeler – trust me on this! Light to carry, small to store and a blessing every time you use it!
Final thoughts
This is a very short list of things that will make our life easier. It is also worth remembering that you do not want to take too much with you.
You are the one who will be schlepping it across London, up and down stairs when the lift doesn’t work, and on and off trains. It will get heavy really quickly.
So, be selective about what you carry with you, but do try to take some things to make life easier and a little more comfortable for yourself.
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