Wendy Andrews

What I do as a Community Carer

Often morning visits include assistance to get out of bed or help with washing, dressing, shaving and oral care. Some people need help with their medication or with toileting needs as well. It is very important to help our service users to stay as independent as possible, so some calls are just to ensure that all is well and that their medication has been taken. Sometimes just a little chat and some company or encouragement to change a soiled shirt may be all someone needs to feel valued and cared for.

Most of my afternoons are spent giving respite care when I spend time with a service user so that their full-time carer, often a family member, can take a much-needed break. Some of my respite care is with people who have dementia. We walk, talk, bake, make pictures, listen to music, look at photographs or whatever they want to do. The variety helps to keep things interesting for both of us. There are times of grief and frustration as well - but that's life. To balance that, there are plenty of laughs and stories which bring special moments. I like to think that my care helps people to "live in their own homes rather than just stay in them. I'm not sure that many jobs can give that satisfaction.