Jan 31, 2024 | News
Are you considering a career in care? There are plenty of reasons you should, but you might be wondering whether you would be best suited to becoming a live-in carer, as opposed to working in a residential care home, for example.
As with every job, there are advantages and disadvantages to a career in this kind of care. Let’s run through the pros and cons of being a live-in carer.
What are the pros of being a live-in carer?
1. You’ll make a massive difference to someone’s life
As a live-in carer, you can make a meaningful difference to another person’s life. One of the great benefits of domiciliary care at home is that the person receiving care can maintain as much of their independence as possible, which can have an enormous effect on well-being.
And as a carer, you will be the person making that happen, and helping vastly improve another person’s quality of life, every day.
2. You’ll form a lasting bond
Another reason at-home care is so rewarding is the connection you’ll form with not just the person you care for, but their wider circle of family and friends too.
Providing one-on-one care within someone’s home enables you to form a rich relationship and lasting bond, which is advantageous for everyone.
3. No two days are the same
Live-in care offers great variety in terms of the tasks you’ll be doing and the responsibilities you’ll have, and no two days are exactly alike.
It will depend on your client’s routine, but you may be expected to accompany them to appointments, activities and even social occasions. This variety helps keep the role interesting, exciting and challenging.
4. You can focus on doing the best job possible
Unlike working in a care home, where the pace is fast and often frenetic, and you must spread your energy and care efforts across numerous residents who need your attention, live-in care is often much more relaxed.
You can take the time to really get to know your client on a deeper, more personal level, and to perform every aspect of your job to the highest level possible. As a result, live-in care produces high levels of job satisfaction.
What are the cons of being a live-in carer?
1. It can be demanding
A job in care is never without its challenges, and being a live-in carer can involve long hours and tiring work, as you strive to do the best job for your client.
Luckily, you can take respite breaks to help make sure you can take the time to recharge when you need it.
2. You need to be ready for anything
The variety of the role also means that certain elements of the job are unpredictable and you need to be ready to deal with whatever might crop up.
This could be a medical situation or an issue in the home that you need to respond to which can sometimes lead to interrupted nights and less rest.
Above all this is very rewarding and respectable job.
3. It can be emotionally challenging
As a live-in carer, you can end up forming a deep bond with the person you care for.
This can make witnessing a decline in their health and condition especially difficult, and sometimes quite upsetting. Maintaining professionalism can be tough during these times, although training is on hand to help.
Ready to begin your journey as a live-in carer? Contact OxleyCare to kickstart your career.