A day in the life of a care
worker
Richard works in a residential
home for clients who have mental illness. He started the shift at
2:00pm and took the hand over from the morning staff. He has a
responsibility to count all medication and monies. He then planned
the rest of the shift with the residents in the house, organising
who was going out, if medication needs to be taken with clients and
clients estimated time back to the home to ensure
safety.
One of the clients with
agoraphobia (a condition which means you are fearful to go into the
outside word) has a programme of putting out the rubbish. Richard
supported and encouraged the client to take the rubbish into the
garden. Richard then wrote up notes on the client’s achievements
and rewarded the client.
At dinnertime the clients were
supported to cook their main meals and clean up afterwards. Richard
believes his role was not only to care for the clients but also to
encourage them to maintain their skills at all times.
After dinner he supported a
client who was feeling emotional about her past. She wanted to
spend time discussing her issues and required support to do
so.
At 10:00pm, with the shift coming
to an end, Richard wrote all the details in the client’s notes and
completed all household forms for the handover. He passed on all
relevant information to the night staff and completed his
shift.