Growing elderly need not be the bleak eventuality it’s often made out to be, with the right care strains of old age can be reduced to just a small detail in an individual’s life. Live in care in particular provides the elderly with the companionship and independence that is most traumatic if lost. For this reason, home care and live in care social care jobs and recruitment can be extremely rewarding. Read on for a closer look at what the job entails and whether you have the skills to fit the bill:
What do live in carers do?
A live in carer will take on a whole variety of responsibilities related to the care of an elderly or disabled individual. The role of a live in carer is to provide care with compassion and efficiency, whatever tasks may be required. As a live in carer you would reside in the home of your client and follow a fully customised program of care, tailor made to suit the needs of the individuals. The routine of a live in carer may be a lot more flexible than those who work in a residential home. Your client will have no strict bed times, meal plans or visiting schedules.
A live in carer may or may not reside with the client all day and night. Usually care is only required through the daytime, but carers will need to be on call during ‘out-of-office’ hours in the case of any urgent assistance. It is important that live in carers are familiarly and trusted, so you will probably be working with the same person for a long time. You are entitled to 2 hours break each day whilst caring for your client.
Basic responsibilities range from general domestic tasks to emotional support and may include:
- General home cleaning – dusting, hovering, laundry, making the bed
- Meal planning
- Grocery shopping
- Organising payment of bills
- Driving client around or assisting use of public transport
- Helping client with personal care (bathing, hair care, oral hygiene)
- Assisting with pet care
- General companionship
- Taking client on social outings, to community clubs, church or to visit friends and family
As a more experienced care you could undertake complex care responsibilities such a:
- Care for the terminally ill
- Care for those with serious dementia or severe memory loss
- Care for those with diabetes
- Care for those who have periods of anxiety, agitation or frustration
- Care for those following an operation
- Care for immobile clients
What skills do live in carers need?
With so many different responsibilities to keep up with, the CV of a carer is often varied. You will need to have excellent time management, organisational and interpersonal skills and have a kind and caring character. You should be outgoing and friendly with good spoken and written communication and is vital that you are team player too.
A Level 2 NVQ in Care is a desirable qualification for an aspiring live in carer.
Julie B is a professional writer from almost 10 years. She loves to write a articles in a very creative way. She loves to write on these topics and share her love for ever changing methods and styles of technology with everyone. She loves to write on topics home care and live in care social care jobs and recruitment etc in this field.

Leave a Reply