What does a carer do?

So what does a carer do?

Simply put, a carer performs a range of tasks, depending on the needs of the person they care for. It could be medical assistance, helping out with housework, preparing meals, or just having a chat. Find out more about what a carer does below.

Have you ever wondered if you’d be the right fit for care? Or are you ready to make the first move into a career in care work? With such a variety of roles on offer, it can be difficult to find the answers to the questions you want to ask. So what does a carer do, and what does a day in the life of a carer look like?

What Does a Carer Do: A Day in the Life

Your day may start bright and early, because some of our service users need help getting out of bed, dressed and washed ready for the day ahead. You might then help them to prepare breakfast or take medication. Because often the people we care for are elderly, or vulnerable, they appreciate your company, so you’ll be doing lots of chatting and catching up too.

On your next visit, you might be helping with the washing up or a quick dust of the sides. Something as simple as a zip around with the hoover can make a huge difference to our service users, who often find tasks like these difficult. As always, you’ll be chatting away, listening and making someone’s day that little bit better and brighter.

Did someone say lunch? Next up you might be helping to prepare a meal or, if the person is bed-bound, you could be turning them to a more comfortable position. Maybe you’ll change a dressing, organise medication or help with laundry.

Later in the day, you could be visiting someone with Dementia, so they might need reassurance, guidance and some help with organisation. In these circumstances, a friendly face can help to make sense of the world, so it’s a good job that to those who need us, our carers are often seen as friends too.

Just before the evening, you could be asked to help turn down a bed, prepare an evening meal, or help the client to use the toilet before settling down for the night. Depending on your role, you may also be asked to assist someone overnight. This could be in the case of providing respite for carers, dementia care, live-in care or overnight care.

Carer Responsibilities

The duties of a carer are varied and specific to the person who needs care. However, they could include:

• Personal care such as dressing, washing, lifting, giving medication or liaising with other medical professionals.
• Practical care including household tasks (hoovering, tidying, dusting, washing the dishes), paying bills and cooking meals.
• Emotional support and companionship.

Carer Skills

Ideal skills for carers include:

• Good communication

This comes in handy for every interaction you will have, whether this is with a service user, or with members of your team. Being able to communicate effectively makes things much easier for everyone, especially those who depend on you for care.

• Patience

Some service users require lots of patience because they need additional time to understand or act on things. Having the ability to be patient, whatever the situation, is one of the key carer skills you’ll need.

• A passion for care

If you want to care for people, make a difference and do a good job, then that’s a great start! Because clients depend on their carers to provide help and support, a passion for care helps you to do this to the very best of your ability.

• Ability to adapt to change

No two days are the same in care, so the ability to adapt to change is ideal. This will help you to move through each day as it comes, with the changing needs of each and every person you care for.

• Sensitivity and tact

Care situations require sensitivity and tact at all times. As a result, it becomes second nature to carers to always think about the implications of a situation and how best to navigate it.

• Respect

Respect for people is paramount in care. Have respect for those using care services, their way of life, their interests, hobbies and wishes, as well as respect for service users’ families and your colleagues.

• Empathy

The driving force behind most applications for a job in care, having empathy in abundance is a standard for a fantastic carer. 

• Eagerness to learn

If you want to understand more about conditions, health care, or just more about how to improve the care you provide, an eagerness to learn fuels this. The more knowledgeable carers are, the better the care they are able to provide, especially for those with complex needs.

What Do Carers Do at Abbots Care

Our carers provide the very best in care to each and every one of our service users. With dedicated in-house training, mentor support and guidance, our carers are empowered to give their 100% every day. As a result, our services are award-winning, our colleagues are well looked after, and the Abbots Care team continues to inspire the next generation of care workers.

Like the sound of working with Abbots Care? For a job with full training, fantastic incentives and pay, browse our open vacancies . Discover more about working with Abbots Care.