One of our client, let's call her Christie, is a totally independent client who needs help just with bathing. So my task today was to help her with bath. I knocked on Christie's door and announced that it was time of her bath. Firstly I went to prepare the place, so I filled the bath with water and I got the mop ready so that I could mop the floor during bath, to make sure that the floor is always clean. I also checked the battery of the hoist.



Then I called Christie who knew already that it was the time to have a bath. She was already prepared, she always prepares for the bath herself and I just check that she doesn't forget anything. Then I went with Christie to the bathroom. Christie took her clothes off on her own. In the meantime I poured some of her soap into the water and I prepared her face towels. I helped her to sit in the hoist and I asked her whether the water was the right temperature.

I helped Christie to wash the parts of her body she couldn't reach herself. After the bath I helped her to dry herself and I put some cream where necessary. I helped her with getting dressed. All the time I was talking to Christie about her needs and requirements about the bath and we also maintained an informal friendly talk.

Christie then went back to her room on her own while I stayed in the bathroom to clean it. I washed the bath and made sure that the floor and the whole bathroom was ready for the next bath. Christie is always very nice and friendly and became great friends.

When looking after clients in their homes, we need to understand them - what they like, what their habits are - and we need to be very sensitive to their needs. Physical touch is necessary and it all must be done with great love and understanding. This is why I love working as a carer!

Carer's Report: Helping an Elderly Person with Breakfast

Sometimes it's tough to see people who cannot live without somebody else's help. My another client, let's call him James, is an immobile person who needs help with basic everyday tasks. My first task today was to feed him at breakfast. I prepared the food and tested its temperature to ensure it's not too hot or too cold and I checked with a spoon that it was suitable for him.

Then I entered his room and told him that the breakfast was ready. James was in good mood, he was very talkative that morning and he was looking forward to his breakfast.

As he often coughs out the phlegm, I put on gloves to prevent myself from it. The fact that the food was the right temperature was also confirmed by him eating it normally. Upon finishing his porridge, James had a cup of tea. During the breakfast he cooperated very well.

I wished him a nice day, then I left the room so that he could rest, and I tidied up the kitchen. I like James and his great sense of humour. We can spend hours talking about his memories when he used to play football and work as an electrician.

He is very humble and yet inside there's a great treasure which he keeps just for those who are worth it. And I love listening to his life experiences, and how he looks at life now.