Care Assistant - Elderly People

Also known as:

Elderly People's Care Assistant
Residential Care Assistant - Elderly People
Social Work Care Assistant - Elderly People

Introduction

Care assistants provide basic personal care, social care and emotional support to elderly people who need help with day-to-day tasks. The care assistant's role is to enable elderly people to keep as much independence as possible and to be as socially and physically active as they can. Care assistants may work in hospitals, day centres and residential homes for elderly people.

Back to Top

Work Activities

The exact type of care that assistants provide depends on the age, ability, health and level of self-sufficiency of the elderly people they work with.

For example, in day centres, the main part of a care assistant's role may be to plan and supervise social activities. In residential homes for the elderly, some residents can be very frail, ill or confused. Here, basic care could mean enabling someone to wash or have a bath, dress, eat, take medication, go to the toilet and generally get around. Care assistants may be responsible for routine medical tasks like applying cream or changing dressings under the supervision of a qualified nurse.

Wherever they work, care assistants try to help people to keep as much independence and quality of life as they can. As far as possible, this means they enable people to do personal and social tasks, rather than doing the tasks for them. Care assistants therefore help many people to keep their self-sufficiency and sense of dignity.

Social care is very important, and it is essential that care assistants develop friendly, caring and trusting relationships with the people they work with. They talk to elderly people, listen to their recollections of the past, and reassure them if they are anxious or confused. They may help people to make friends or keep in touch with their families. Planning and supervising social and recreational activities and trips is an important part of some assistants' work.

Care assistants must be aware of any changes in an individual's physical or mental health, such as pain, loss of mobility, poor hearing or vision, depression or anxiety. They must see health problems as requiring investigation, rather than as natural consequences of old age. In a residential home or day centre, care assistants report their observations to a care officer, warden or duty officer in charge.

In hospitals, homes and day centres, care assistants are responsible for the health and safety of staff and residents. They look out for, prevent or report hazards including slippery floors, poor lighting, loose carpets and handrails, and unsafe electrical appliances.

A care assistant may work alongside professionals such as doctors, nurses, social workers and therapists.

Back to Top

Personal Qualities and Skills

You must have an understanding of the needs of elderly people, including their social and emotional needs. Patience, compassion, tact and a sense of humour are vital qualities, especially if you work with people who do not like to admit that they need your help.

You will need strong communication and interpersonal skills to develop caring, trusting relationships with elderly people. You must be able to respect each individual's right to keep as much independence and privacy as they can.

Care assistants must be prepared to learn and develop new knowledge. Government legislation on the care of elderly people may change to increase their protection from neglect or abuse, so assistants may need training to keep up-to-date.

The ability to work as part of a team is very important. You are likely to work with professionals such as doctors, nurses, social workers and therapists.

Back to Top

Pay and Opportunities

Pay rates for care assistants vary depending on employer and duties.

The pay rates given below are approximate.

Care assistants usually earn in the range of £12,500 - £15,500 a year, rising to around £16,000 a year. Higher home carers can make about £20,000 a year.

Care assistants in the National Health Service (NHS) are paid on Band 2 of the Agenda for Change pay scale. Since April 1, 2008 this has been £12,922 - £15,950 a year.

Care assistants work a basic 37.5-hour week. Shift work, early starts and late finishes are common. Some employers offer flexitime working, and part-time and temporary work is also possible. In residential homes, care assistants may sometimes be required to 'sleep in'.

Some care assistants for elderly people work in the NHS, both in hospitals and in the community. Other employers are local authorities, private health care providers, including nursing homes, and voluntary organisations. Some care assistants are self-employed and work through an agency.

Back to Top

Adult Opportunities

It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Employers usually see relevant skills and abilities and a responsible approach as an advantage.

Modern Apprenticeships may be available in some areas.

Colleges will usually consider applications from candidates who do not meet their usual entry requirements. You should check the admissions policy of individual colleges.

• 1% of care assistants are self-employed.
• 40% work part-time.
• 5% have flexible hours.
• 5% of employees work on a temporary basis.

Back to Top