Benefits of Support Worker Jobs in Elderly Care

The need for skilled support workers and elderly care home workers has never been higher. The challenges presented by the global pandemic have shone a spotlight on the very necessary nature of community jobs. New research conducted by AgeUK shows that the impact of COVID-19 has led to a huge increase in demand for elderly care workers, in particular for community care workers who support people in their own homes (often referred to as domiciliary care). In their study, 1 in 4 elderly people found that everyday activities were now more difficult as a result of the pandemic, citing the negative mental health effects associated with being isolated and fewer opportunities to stay active as factors.

All over the UK, many elderly care workers already make a huge difference in the quality of life of our elderly. Do you have a caring nature? Are you considering a rewarding career in elderly care? Can you offer your support where it’s needed the most?

To answer the question, ‘why work in elderly care?‘ Check out 5 great reasons below:

1. No day is the same…

Working in elderly care is the perfect choice if you enjoy variety in your day. One of the best things about working in a care home is that you are never quite sure what is going to happen from one hour to the next…

Together, you and your colleagues will create a fun, enjoyable environment for the elderly in your care. Depending on the interests and passions of the residents, you’ll be encouraged to facilitate a variety of interesting activities. If you have a particular interest or artistic talent, this is a setting where you can bring your hobbies to the workplace.

As the care needs of residents are likely to change on a daily basis, this is also a fantastic career choice if you’re able to react and adapt quickly to any changes.

2. Opportunity to work with interesting characters

The primary reason every day is varied is the number of interesting characters you are likely to care for and work with. There is a reason most cultures around the world respect and look up to elderly people. They have lived through more history than most! Taking the time to get to know and listen to the elderly in care can offer amusing anecdotes, powerful life lessons, new perspectives on social history and more!

Furthermore, your colleagues are likely to be caring and friendly people much like yourself. In elderly care jobs, you’ll find a supportive mix of friends and colleagues.

3. It’s an incredibly sociable job!

Do you enjoy having a chat and being social? When you work for a community care organization, you get paid to put your social skills to work. Elderly care support workers have a very important role to play; in addition to being responsible for residents’ physical needs, they should also get to know them personally and support their emotional and social needs.

Besides looking after the older people in your care, you’ll also be in contact with their family members and visitors. Firstly, family members may find it difficult to adjust to their loved one being in care. This could also be a very difficult adaptation for the elderly person themselves. Therefore, you will be required to be friendly, understanding and empathetic.

4. Opportunity for career progression

You’ll see that the Quality Care Commission has established a robust framework for the elderly care sector. Within elderly care work, there is plenty of opportunity for training and progression. One option is to take an apprenticeship in a residential care setting. Talk to your recruitment consultant or ask directly at the interview stage about the opportunities available for training and progression. However, one of the appealing aspects of aged care work is that most employers look for personal values over qualifications.

Due to the growing demand for social care, it’s clear that innovative and skilled workers will find opportunities in the sector, as care homes try to meet the needs of the elderly.

5. The potential to be flexible and family-orientated

There are several different contract types for elderly care jobs meaning that you can find work to suit your lifestyle:

• Long term contracts
• Short term contracts
• Part-time elderly care work
• Domiciliary worker contracts
• Support worker contracts
• Community care worker contracts

Also because of the high demand for aged care professionals, you can choose to work almost anywhere in the UK and beyond! It can be helpful to seek the advice of a recruitment consultant if you are considering a move to a new city.

For tips on caring for an elderly person, check out our previous post here.

Are you looking for elderly care support worker jobs?

Use our locator tool to find ‘aged care jobs near me.’ Alternatively, register your interest in healthcare jobs here.