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Writer's pictureYasemin Alevris

A day in the life as a home care support worker

As a support worker there’s no such thing as a typical day because every person you will be

supporting is an individual. They all have different needs and like to do different things, so no

two days are the same which makes it more exciting. Everyone that you will be seeing has a

care plan stating what will need to be done for the day and their needs. Your days will be

filled with compassion, responsibility and dedication and you will be entrusted with the well-

being and care of the elderly community.



Day to day


6 AM – the morning start


The day begins early. Home care support workers will review their schedule for the day.

Today you will have a full roster, and each client will have different needs and routines. You

will need to prepare your supplies for the days such as personal protective equipment.


7 AM – Arrival at the first client’s home


You arrive at the home of Mr Smith, an elderly male with mobility issues that will need

personal care and companionship services for the day. This would involve assistance with

bathing, dressing and ensuring Mr Smith takes his medication for the day. Your gentle

demeanour and attention to detail will be needed in this service to make Mr Smith’s daily

ritual comfortable.


8:30 AM – Breakfast and Companionship


After personal care, you will need to prepare Mr Smith some breakfast. You will have a chat to

Mr Smith about various topics such as the news and listening to Mr Smith discussing topics

and subjects he would like to talk about. For many clients this social interaction is just as

important than the physical care that they receive.


12pm – Lunch and transition


Once you take some time to de-brief your last service and write your progress notes, you will

then plan for the services that you have for the afternoon. You will find that you will have

multiple services throughout the day with client’s that have different care plan’s and needs.

You will need to meet every client and service with diligence and empathy.


3:00 PM – Emergency response and Crisis management


Occasionally, the day included unexpected changes. Today, you attend a service with a

client who has had a minor fall. You quickly assess the situation and check for injuries and

ensure that they receive appropriate medical attention if need be. Your training and

experience will enable you to handle situations calmly and effectively.


5:00 PM – Wrapping up the day and documenting


You have seen all your clients for the day and the day winds down. You ensure all your

progress notes are accurate and completed for the day and you can see that there is nothing

to be done further.


6:00pm – End of day


You may conclude your day with a mixture of feelings of fulfilment and exhaustion. Being a

support worker is a demanding role both physically and emotionally however the rewards are

significant. Knowing that you have made a positive difference in all your client’s life leaves a

sense of purpose.


Conclusion



Home care support workers play a vital role in the healthcare system. Their days are

filled with challenges, but their dedication and compassion ensure that the people’s needs

and the human connection that enriches their lives. Through their tireless efforts, they help

foster dignity and quality of life for those who need it most.

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