A carer or support worker can help those less able to care for themselves regain their independence and enjoy a better quality of life. Perhaps due to ageing or a medical condition, you (or a loved one) are unable to go about your daily life as easily as you once could and are in need of assistance. Whether it’s offering help around the house, delivering personal care, or simply providing some rest for a regular carer, our home care assistants can offer a wide range of support, tailored to the individual client’s requirements.
Contents:
- What does a home care assistant do?
- Types of home care assistant
- Who can they support?
- Cost of hiring a home care assistant
- How do I hire a home care assistant?
- Tips for hiring a home care assistant
What does a home care assistant do?
A home care assistant can offer a wide range of services, tailored to the needs and requirements of their individual client. There are different levels of care available and it is important to research types of care and the roles of a carer to ensure you employ the right level of care for the individual.
The different levels of support can range from simple household tasks, to full time round the clock care. Make sure to read about the types of home care provider below, to gain a better understanding of the tasks carried out by each type of care giver. It is also important to remember that each individual will have a unique set of requirements and many carers will perform duties from across the different areas of care.
Types of home care assistant:
Depending on the requirements and personal situation of the individual needing care, there will be certain care options better suited than others. Of course most working relationships can be tailored to suit the specific needs of the individual, but we’ve outlined the common types of home care provider:
Companion Carer – For those who may live alone, away from family, have been widowed or separated from a partner or are just more isolated from society, a companion carer can be the perfect solution to offer company and check up on the individual. They could perform tasks which the individual is unable to perform themselves, or perhaps just enjoy some quality time over an activity. A companion carer can provide peace of mind to family members who may live far away from their loved one or be unable to check up on them as often as they would like.
Live-in Carer – A live-in carer is perhaps the highest level of home care support, as they are able to carry out the widest range of tasks. Of course they require down time and could even work on a rota system with other carers if the individual requires round the clock care, however a live in carer can perform both daytime and nighttime duties, as well as helping with house work and personal care. A live-in carer could be the solution to those who do not wish to go into a retirement or nursing home, but are unable to manage living alone in their own home.
Palliative/End of life Carer – For terminally ill individuals, a palliative carer is there to make sure they have the best quality of life possible in their final days. An end of life carer can not only offer support and respite to the family of the individual, but ensure that all the hard work and medical duties are completed, to allow the family to spend quality time with their loved one.
Home/Housekeeping Carer – If managing a household and living alone is becoming too much of a challenge, a housekeeping carer can help to maintain a desirable standard of living for those who wish to stay in their own home. From running errands such as grocery shopping and collecting prescriptions, to doing light housework and laundry duties for the individual, a housekeeping carer could enable someone to remain living in their own home despite being less able.
Personal Carer – A personal carer can help an individual perform any necessary task they may find difficult due to a disability, ageing or other form of impediment. From getting dressed and maintaining a high level of personal hygiene to putting on their make up, a personal carer can allow an individual to feel like themselves again.
Long Term Illness Carer – For those suffering from dementia or other similar long term and debilitating illnesses a specialised carer with the professional training and expertise in this area may be required to support family members who are looking after them to ensure the correct care is being given. Depending on the individual, they may qualify for support from a charity related to their illness, so it is always worth checking the websites of appropriate charities to see what support is available.
Respite Carer- Whilst many families prefer to care for a loved one in need themselves, it is important to remember that being a carer is a huge responsibility and can often be draining or difficult after a while on the family and those supporting them. A respite carer can be regular or infrequent to come in and provide the usual carers a short break from their responsibilities by taking care of the individual for them.
Who can they support?
It is no secret that as we get older our bodies tend to slow down a little and perhaps we are not able to go about our daily lives as easily as we once were. Carers are often hired by elderly or older people, whether they live alone or with a partner, to help maintain a high standard of living in their own home.
However it is not just the elderly who can hire a home care assistant, as they can offer the same services to people with disabilities which may inhibit them from carrying out all the necessary tasks of daily life. No matter how big or small the task, a home care assistant could make a real difference to someone’s daily routine.
For those suffering from a debilitating illness, a home care assistant could be a suitable option to work alongside family members or medical professionals to provide care and support to the individual. Some illnesses and conditions, such as Alzheimers or Dementia may require a carer who has had particular training to be able to provide the proper support necessary to cope with the condition.
Cost of hiring a home care assistant
The cost of hiring a home care assistant can vary depending on the level of support you require, with more expensive options being the live-in carers and palliative carers who are required to work more intensely.
The average cost of a home care assistant in the UK is around £15 per hour but this is of course subject to change depending of the type of care provided. It is however often far less expensive to hire home care assistants than to pay for a full time live in facility such as a nursing home or a retirement home.
For some individuals there may be Government funding in place to help cover the costs of home care services either partially or in full. Those who have a lower income than average may qualify for this Government funding and can check online using Age UK’s eligibility tool and financial advise pages. Similarly for those with specific conditions or illnesses there are many charities who will support people in need, so it is worth researching these options before hiring help.
How do I hire a home care assistant?
The task of hiring a home care assistant can seem daunting, as it is such an important decision and finding the right candidate can seem overwhelming. However by using an online platform you are able to filter the search for candidates to your exact requirements and instantly remove those who do not qualify for the position through using criteria search filters. The process therefore becomes far more efficient and less stressful, allowing you to spend more time researching the potential candidates.
Another advantage of making an online profile on a care platform such as Yoopies, is that you allow applicants to approach you and may find your perfect candidate without evening having to search for them. Whilst some choose to use an agency to find their carer, this can limit the choice of candidates available to you and can also incur expensive agency fees on top of the rates of the carer which many individuals simply cannot afford. Searching for your home care provider yourself can not only save you money but allow the search to be far more personalised and carries a higher chance of finding an ideally suited candidate.
To set up an advert with Yoopies, simply sign up here, and make a profile with an advert detailing your requirements. You will then be instantly connected to thousands of applicants looking for roles as home care assistants. By using the criteria filters you can personalise and narrow your search to make the process efficient and simple.
Tips for hiring a home care assistant:
Explain your requirements: Ensure your advert is clear and detailed, with all the duties and responsibilities included. It is important that the candidate knows what is required of them, so that they can decide whether they are capable of managing the position. When interviewing a candidate, it is a good idea to outline your expectations at this stage to ensure they have understood what is expected of them in this position. As each role will likely carry a unique set of circumstances, be as clear and transparent as possible at the hiring process to avoid any short term employment cycles or other difficulties further down the line.
Look for personality matches as well as experience: The home care assistant is going to be spending a considerable amount of time with the individual they are caring for and after all, their entire purpose is to help and support this individual. Therefore make sure that you, or the individual who is receiving the care, get along well with the carer. Perhaps some informal trial sessions or meetings could be arranged to see how the pair get along before you go ahead with the formal hiring process. Of course it is important to look for relevant experience as well to ensure the applicant is qualified for the position however it is vital that they also have the ability to get on well with their employer on a personal level.
Ask for references: Just like with any position, it is vital to ensure that you are hiring a trustworthy and reliable individual. A carer will be entrusted to look after some of the most vulnerable in society, so it is especially important to check their references, to be sure that their work is of the highest quality. It is advisable to ask for multiple references from both previous employers, perhaps the family members of previous employers and even character references from other responsible individuals who have worked with the applicant before.