A care worker’s quick guide to being organised

Whether you have been operating as a care worker for quite some time or are relatively new to the job, there are always things that you can do to make yourself better organised. Just as with any other career, doing things right from day one will stand you in good stead for moving forward in a positive direction, inspiring confidence in those around you.

Here is our quick guide to being well organised:

  • Prepare in advance before visiting a new person – study their case notes. Make sure you know how to get to their address. Do they have mobility issues i.e. Can they open the door? Do they have any hospital appointments on the day? What has been their attitude to previous care workers? Knowing all of this will save you time, add a professional edge and not cause confusion for either of you.
  • Treat their home with respect – just as you would like visitors to treat your home, act in the same way. If they are able to get to the door, wait for them to invite you in. Don’t walk through rooms with dirty shoes on. If they have pets, be ready to greet them in advance. If they will be sleeping when you arrive, wake them up gently.
  • Notice anything you need to report – how does the person you are looking after seem in themselves? Are they comfortable and alert or do they seem unduly sick or worried? If you have visited them before and there are major changes occurring, make a note to record them in the notes or alert the office to take action.
  • Do what you can to make their life easier – even if they don’t ask for it, check if they would like a hot or cold drink. Are they able to turn the TV or radio on or off? Is the remote control close at hand? Do they need you to attend to any special tasks whilst you are with them? If they have pets, do they seem well fed and cared for?

Most of the time, being well organised is about planning in advance, thinking ahead and being proactive. By doing this, you will always be alert to concerns or problems and your role as a care worker will be much easier to carry out.

Let us know your tips on keeping organised in your care worker role. Tell us on our Facebook https://facebook.com/lavorocare or Tweet at us https://twitter.com/joblavoro .

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