If you’re looking for a job that is both flexible and rewarding and where you will make a difference in the lives of others, becoming a caregiver or disability support worker is a great choice.
With over 4.4 million people in Australia living with a disability and an ageing population, the industry is experiencing increased demand. It requires people who are passionate about helping others in the caregiving role.
There are many reasons why becoming a carer is the right decision for you, especially if you enjoy meeting new people and adding value to their lives by doing what may seem like the simplest of tasks. We’ve chosen five to explore, but first, let’s look at what a carer is.
What does a carer do?
A carer is a person who provides paid or unpaid care to a loved one or client. This could be someone like you, who assists the elderly or disabled with cleaning, shopping, or other daily tasks. It can also be a partner caring for their spouse after a significant life-altering event, or a companion who mentors people with disabilities in life skills, among other things.
Reasons being a carer is right for you
Being a carer has many benefits and is a way to make a difference within your community. There is variety in this role, where people spend their time helping add value to the lives of others of all ages, from children to the elderly. There are many facets to love about this role, and these are just a few of the reasons why it might be the right career choice for you:
1. Help Others Reach Their Full Potential
When working with clients as a carer, they experience challenges, some of which may be invisible and others more noticeable. It usually means that everyday tasks and other experiences are easier to achieve with the assistance of a caregiver.
The assistance provided by carers enables individuals living with challenges to meld into “normal” daily life with ease compared to managing it independently. While the tasks may seem relatively easy for an able-bodied person, people living with challenges need help with some of these tasks and more:
Personal Care
- Assistance with grooming
- Showering & dressing
- Assistance with hair
- Toileting support
Community Access
- Escorted shopping trips
- Community events
- Social companionship & support
- Accompanying medical appointments
- Driving to weekend sports
Domestic Assistance & Garden, Home Maintenance
- General cleaning
- Re-organisation
- Decluttering
- Mowing
- Pruning
- Weeding
- Assembling furniture
- Changing smoke alarms
- Installing accessibility aids
Each of these services empowers people living with a disability, aging, or illness to reach their full potential and live a dignified and complete life.
2. Work in Your Local Area
There are many benefits from working in your local area, especially when your job is in community care services. Aside from alright knowing the local area, carers are familiar with the local services that may benefit the person in their care – from health services to the assessability of local parks and recreation activities.
Working in your neighbourhood is also fantastic for commuting to and from work, which leads to greater job satisfaction for some people. Aside from the commute, you’re also saving money on transport, petrol and long-term wear and tear on your vehicle.
3. Meet New People
Working in a carer role, you’re connecting with others around you. There are opportunities to meet new people who work in the same industry, when out in the community with your clients and when joining in family events with the person with whom you’re providing care.
In this role, the formation of genuine, long-lasting friendships and social connections with the community are brought to life, enabling you and your clients to feel more connected with those around you.
4. See Results of Your Hard Work
Providing care for someone unable to manage life on their own is quite rewarding. When you see individuals live a fulfilled life in their homes because you provide them with the assistance they need to live independently, the results speak for themselves.
Some may consider driving a client to the supermarket, brushing their hair, taking walks, cleaning their home or helping them shower as a small token. It enables a person living with disabilities to maintain life with dignity and to get through their day feeling able.
5. Do what you love (and you’ll never work a day in your life)
Carers are incredible people who love giving back to others and working with people living with disabilities. We find that carers value their job but only sometimes feel like their working. Knowing they’re giving a family member time out or an isolated person companionship instils genuine positive feelings about their ability to give back to the community.
In this important role, you’re working closely with others and building long-lasting and close relationships because of the nature of the work. A genuine love for the job is affirmed when you see the difference made when helping clients develop new skills, nurturing the isolated and the elderly and ensuring clients get the proper support.
Considering a Career Change? Ask Us How!
If you’re thinking about your future career and what it looks like, being a carer is ideal for delivering tailored care at a schedule that works for you and your family. The flexible hours are not the only benefit of choosing this role, but help make a difference in other’s life makes the role fulfilling.
Being a supportive and inclusive carer and providing high-quality services to clients is made easier with the support of us Care Professionals, who provide NDIS aged care and disability support services in Melbourne. We welcome new carers into our community, where you will be welcomed, have opportunities for upskilling and training and can choose to work alone or with a team.
Please view our current vacancies or contact us if you want to know how you can provide support to people living with disabilities.
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