As the name suggests, a live-in carer is a person who lives with another person in their home, taking care of them in some or all aspects of their lives. Being a live-in carer requires the care worker to be compassionate and friendly among other things.
Most importantly is that the live-in carer provides a cloak of support for the person being cared for, whether this ranges from household chores to personal care.
Essentially the role of a live-in carer is to support a client to live as independently as possible, for as long as possible in their own home. The carer is there to lighten the load when it becomes too heavy.
Based on this, we can see that the role of live-in carer is rooted in companionship, and strong bonds can form between carer and client as sometimes this situation can continue for several years.
What are the duties of a live-in carer?
While every person cared for has different needs and requirements there are some core responsibilities that are essential with any client.
Duties can be divided into six groups, namely:
Because live-in care is essentially a person-centred position there are certain traits which the carer should have.
A live-in carer should be:
A live-in carer plays a vital and essential part in their client’s life, which can place them in a vulnerable position. It is important that the client knows that the live-in carer can be trusted and relied on.
It is also important that the live-in carer understands the physical needs as well as any potential emotional triggers which can upset the client.
A bond of trust between live-in carers and clients can very soon develop and this bond can become vital to the wellbeing of both people. Knowing that a person can be trusted and respected will go a long way to providing a peaceful environment.
Can live-in care have a work/life balance?
While it is true that live-in care can be very complicated and somewhat stressful, it is possible to have a work/life balance.
Indeed, there are laws about how many hours a live-in carer should be taking for a break. This works out to two hours per day or can be all taken over two days if both parties agree.
In those two hours each day or weekend, the carer can do as they please, either staying in the house or going out elsewhere. Pursuing other interests will allow you to unwind and destress, as well as being an excellent way to see interesting places in the area.
Final thoughts
Being a live-in carer is indeed a rewarding career to follow. Not only will you provide help with day-to-day chores, but you will be able to support your client with every task they undertake.
You will become an important part of your client’s life and a trustworthy companion, being with them through thick and thin and a constant support for them in keeping them independently at home for as long as possible.
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