An early start
I never like the sound of the alarm in the morning, but it seemed shriller an hour and a half earlier than usual. In my day-to-day role, unless there’s a meeting planned, it doesn’t really matter if I’m held up a few minutes by traffic as I can just add any missed time to the end of my working day. But when you know that you’re working a shift that is time specific, and people’s care relies on you being there, my drive up the M5 felt more pressurised than usual.
I arrived at Robert Harvey House and was shown to where the nurses and carers gather for handover. There was a lot of reflection and checking in with each other to ensure people were feeling OK and were ready for the shift ahead. There were motivational/reflective cards distributed and colleagues could choose to share the content or just privately enjoy them. What a lovely way to start the day!
Partnered with an expert
I am always conscious that staff can perceive the ‘boss’ working with them in different ways. Am I spying on them? What am I trying to find out? Will I be more of a hindrance than a help?
I had the absolute pleasure of being guided by Cynthia – a wonderful lady who has worked for BCOP for 40 years. Her compassion and humanity was both heartwarming and humbling, as she knew our residents so well she could pre-empt their wishes and needs. She always ensured things were just right for them, rather than just taking the easier way.
Of course this isn’t unusual in our services, but it made me reflect on my first ever job in care as a very green 19-year-old before the industry was regulated. There was no such thing as personalised care back then, just routines that people had to fit into and the same meal served to all.
Thankfully this is no longer the case. We do our utmost to ensure people can still live the lives they want (as much as is possible) with their own individual routines, habits, diets and preferences. On our shift that meant some people staying in bed (with cups of tea) until almost lunch time whilst others had been up at the crack of dawn. A heavenly bubble bath, showers and manicures, and for others just help with the crossword or a change of the TV channel.
Of course, there was all the usual personal care too – and Cynthia seemed surprised that I was there to do all tasks, not just fetch tea.
What it’s really like to be a carer
Lots of people seem to think that care is unpleasant as we deal with all the functions of the body, and associated waste and smells. But to me it’s not like that. Tending to a person’s need – whether that’s a tiny baby or an adult – is an honour. It’s incredibly personal and you feel like you’re really nurturing that person.
Some of our residents were very chatty, others very humble and thankful, while others simply endured. I was called a very rude word by one resident. This is something staff are often subjected to because some people are living with a condition that changes their personality and breaks down inhibitions. Or perhaps some of our residents have always had very colourful language! You just don’t have to take it personally and recognise that it is not meant will any malice. Perhaps the person wouldn’t have dreamt of using such language before they became unwell.
Lunchtime was a delight, with residents visibly enjoying their choice of meals, and very tempting desserts. Nothing was too much trouble for our catering team who supplied constant drinks and snacks throughout the day. On this particular day the temperature was rising fast and they constantly battled to get enough fluid into people.
The afternoon musical bingo saw us all singing along to some oldies and testing our musical knowledge – I was grateful to my upbringing on old-time music-hall type songs which helped me guess some of the trickier questions!
4 o’ clock seemed to come around very quickly as we’d been busy the whole time. Many of the carers would be working through till 8pm but with over an hour’s drive I’d been granted a ‘short’ shift.
Reflections on the day
My legs were aching but my heart was singing as I drove away, conscious that those amazing colleagues still had 4 hours to go, no doubt with aching legs too.
I never will stop having the utmost admiration and respect for our amazing front-line staff, who do this day in, day out. It’s a demanding job but for the right people who truly have care and have compassion at their heart it is so rewarding.
I am looking forward to my shifts in 2025 as I pay my annual pilgrimage to the front line, but next year I’ll have comfier shoes.
Helen
Helen and Cynthia in February ’24 at our long service awards celebration
