If you are caring, compassionate and driven, becoming a carer may feel like a totally natural career direction for you.
Becoming a carer can be a varied job depending on which sector you choose to work in. Statistics show that the amount of people aged over 60 worldwide is expected to double by 2050 and then triple by 2100, going from nearly 970 million to 3.1 billion. That means there are an ageing population and a care industry with almost endless career opportunities for people just like you. Sure, elderly care can definately be tough at times, and it isn’t for everyone, but despite the challenges, it is so rewarding and incredibly fulfilling.
The Best Things About Being A Carer:
Those who work in care provide support to those who need it on a day to day basis in various different settings.
How that care looks depends on what the client needs. For some, it may just be some help with personal care and a bit of housekeeping. For others, it may mean help with all personal tasks, gardening, pet care, house care, nutrition, and companionship. The best part of elderly care is that you are able to provide all the help a person needs for them to be happy and independent. Even better, with at home care, you can enable them to stay in their own homes, in the place they love the most. As a carer, you make such a difference to the lives of those you work with, something you can’t get in most other careers. That kind of fulfillment isn’t readily available in every industry, and it is the reason the care industry is so special and offers those with a compassionate heart, an incredible career opportunity.
How To Get Into Care:
You don’t need any special qualifications to get into care as most live-in care agencies will provide training for you. However, experience in care even if that is at home caring for a relative, is valuable and most live-in care agencies will appreciate that kind of experience on your CV. There are also some general traits a good carer has including:
- Compassion
- Good physical health
- Determination
- Excellent personal organization skills
- A passion for care
- Good interpersonal skills
- Good communication skills
- A sense of humour
- A passion for learning
- A really want to make a difference in the lives of those they work with
With the traits above you will be off to a great start in a career in care. If you think it could be right for you, consider looking into different types of care careers and what they entail. For example, the Live-in Care Hub has plenty of information on working as an at-home carer. The National Careers Service is another great place to look for information on this rewarding career. The more you know, the more likely you are to move towards the right area of care for you. The right care job can be a fulfilling and satisfying job that leaves you truly feeling you are making a difference, applying your compassion and training to jobs where it is truly valued.
