As a Disability Carer, your days will be varied, but one constant will be your ability to aid and care for those in need. Working one-on-one with people with a disability is an incredibly rewarding experience, and you’ll have the opportunity to help them gain independence and live a full, rich life.
But what exactly does a Disability Carer’s role look like?
Place of Work
There’s no one place of work in Disability Support, with locations ranging from patient’s homes to places of care. Some days, you’ll find yourself working at your clients’ house, supporting them with basic activities such as showering and food preparation, while on another day you may find yourself coordinating social events for your patients.
Patients
Your patients will range from people in wheelchairs to people needing addition and more in-depth assistance. With career pathways that lead to working as a Disability Support Worker, Behavioural Support Officer, Community Development Officer, Disabilities Supervisor or a Disability Service Officer, there’s no end to the types of people you’ll have the opportunity to work with.
Skills
Not everyone is cut out for a career as a Disability Carer, with the basic skills including:
Caring ~ this one should go without saying, but having a kind, compassionate and caring nature is essential for the success of a Disability Carer as patients need to feel safe and understood in your care.
Empathy ~ the ability to empathise with, and understand the unique situations of your patients is incredibly important.
Organisation ~ being able to prioritise and organise your schedule is invaluable, especially for those working in a mobile role and needing to visit multiple patients daily.
Patience ~ the job of a Disability Carer is to be there for their patients and to let them know that they are heard and understood, especially during difficult and distressing situations.
The Day-to-Day
Much like the place of work, the daily life and routine of a Disability Carer is varied and can include a dynamic variety of activities, such as:
Assisting your clients and patients with domestic tasks
Assisting with meal preparation and shopping
Coordinating social gatherings and events
Establishing and maintaining daily routines
Providing companionship and support to your patients
Helping your clients to become independent and lead fulfilling lives
A career in Disability Care offers so much variety and a genuinely fulfilling experience, with the specifics of any job largely relying on the needs of the client.
The most important skill of any carer? Promoting social connectedness, emotional wellbeing and general health.
If you’re interested in studying to be a Disability Care Worker at Stirling Institute, you can contact us directly at this email address, or contact us here.