Working as a care assistant

One thing to remember in the caring professions, especially when dealing with the elderly, is that you have to look after your own health and well-being at the same time.  No employer is allowed to ask you to lift or carry something in a way that could injure you, and you must always have at least two people to carry someone.  You should get training on the job if there are any special techniques to follow.

There are strict rules in Britain about the age that children can be left alone at home.  Remember also that there is a level of paranoia about the safety of children among a lot of British people, so don't be surprised if you have to go through all sorts of security checks before you start work.

Things you might need to say at work:

I need someone to help me lift her.

How do I do that without damaging my back?

What do I need to know about each of the residents?

Some care homes will call the people they look after patients and some will call them residents.  Don't make the mistake of calling people inmates, as that is the name we normally use for prisoners.

Am I supposed to give them their medication as well?

What should I do if I need extra help in an emergency?

Things your employer might say to you:

Have you had any experience in the caring profession?

We need to do a police check on you.

Who can we contact for references?

It is possible to work in the caring professions without any major qualifications, but most agencies and care homes are looking for people with some sort of experience.  The ones that will hire just about anyone might be the ones you should avoid.  If they can't get properly qualified staff, there may be a very good reason for that.

Things parents might say to you:

I want them in bed by nine.

Nine o'clock is their bedtime.

They can stay up longer on Fridays, but only for an hour more.

If you are babysitting for parents, expect the children to try every trick in the book to stay up past their bedtime!  Of course, if the children are so spoilt that every one of them has a television in their room, they will probably be happy to go to bed at the agreed time.

The youngest is not allowed to go in the garage.

You can let the oldest child use the kettle.

Keep this out of reach of the children.

Parents might say this about medicines or toxic cleaning materials like bleach.  Don't be surprised, by the way, if you find very different policies on who is allowed to do what and at what age between different families.

She is on a special diet.

He has to take these tablets three times a day.

In case of emergency, this is the number of their doctor.

This is their doctor's number.

Never let them out of your sight.

You will hear this phrase a lot if the parents are really paranoid.  It is, nevertheless, the golden rule of looking after children, especially when you are taking them somewhere in a public place.  A lot of British people think that there is a paedophile waiting around every corner.

Special vocabulary you might need:

A hoist:           A lifting machine that looks a bit like a small crane.  You use it to lift a patient in and out of the bath.

A commode:   This is a chair with a hole in the seat so that it can be used as a toilet.

A Zimmer frame: The lightweight metal frame which elderly and disabled people use to help them stand and walk.  A single stick is called a crutch and the wooden ones are called walking sticks.

Incontinence pads:     Adult nappies (diapers).  In care homes they are sometimes politely referred to as pads and a person wearing them is described as padded.

Bed bound:     A person who cannot leave their bed.

Partially sighted:        The politically correct term for almost blind.

Visually impaired:      Another politically correct term for blind.

Hearing impaired:       No surprises here.  It means deaf.