The most dangerous job without losing your life.

As a carer we are responsible for someone else’s life for 24 hours.

We are paid the minimum wage, the same as working in a warehouse or in a shop.

We are responsible for someone life.

We are expected to observe a client’s behaviour for any changes and be aware of their mental health. If the person has an addiction or a mental breakdown. We are not trained psychiatrists. if we ignore or not aware of the situation. It is neglect, abuse.

We take clients out for dinner or for a cuppa for various reasons. We can take the client out for dinner if they live on their own so we know that they are eating and take the client out for a cuppa, so it gives the client 1 to 1 and can discuss anything that is worry them. We are not trained, counsellors. If they don't have that opportunity. It can be neglect.

We are expected to be put in harm’s way when a client is expressing challenging behaviour. We are expected to deal with it. If we get hit by the client or affect us emotionally. We are not allowed to retaliate. If we hit the client. Is physical abuse.

We are expected to administer medication. We are not trained nurses. If we administer the medication to the wrong client or administer the wrong medication. Is abuse.

We are responsible for the client's finances. We are not accountants. We have to get a receipt for everything that is bought for the client. If the client pays for something independently and there is money is missing. We are responsible. Financial abuse.

We are expected to give personal care to clients, which involving hair washing, shaving, teeth brushing and washing privates parts thoroughly. We are not hairdressers, barbers, dentists or family members. If we notice bruising or any unidentified marks. We have to report. Physical or sexual abuse.

We are expected to do housework, which involves bed-making, cooking, cleaning the kitchen and bathroom, dusting, vacuuming and washing the clothes. We are not professional cleaners or cooks. If something goes missing. Theft.

We are expected that the client eats healthily. We are not nutritionists or dieticians. If the client loses or gains weight. It can be neglect, institional, emotional or sexual abuse.

We are expected to drive them to outings. We are not taxis. If we have a car accident or they hurt themselves. It is physical abuse.

We are expected to organise and attend social outings with the client to assist with socialising. We are not event planners. if we don't encourage our client to attend, mingle or enjoy the occasion. We are neglecting our duties.

We are informed to teach the clients about sharing and making friends. We are not allowed to have a coffee or tea if the client offers. We have to politely decline. But then the client is upset because they are trying to be a good host. If we accept. It can be theft.

We are expected to use mechanical devices to move a person from a wheelchair to a shower chair or bed. If we do it incorrectly, we can endanger the person life, cause injuries. It can be sexual or physical abuse.

We can be accused of 8 different cases of abuse. It is easily done. Some carers abuse clients and don't realise it. Some carers abuse clients and are very aware of the crimes that they are committing.

The clients are abused when we can't give them our attention because we are looking after someone else.

Their personal freedoms and rights can be curtailed to make a carer’s life easier.

Carers are being paid the minimum wage or slightly more. The professionals such as Doctors, OT, Physio, Nutritionist, Dieticians, Speech Therapists do not listen to us.

We are expected to arrive 10–15 minutes early for handover. But we don't get paid overtime and when we are caring for someone and get delayed and work over the specific shift. We don't always get paid overtime.

If we get ill from the clients that we are looking after or we don't want to spread the illness. We are pressured to go to work because we don't have enough sick leave or get threaten that we will lose our job. But if we go in, that means a vulnerable client may die, due to us trying to do our job.

We have to have a CRB check (police check) to see if we have committed a crime. Some employers request that we pay. We can’t start work until that is cleared. It doesn't matter that the references and work history is good. It can be delayed if the police are busy or for some other reason. We can be put in financial hardship.

Also, carers can be falsely accused by family, clients, co-workers or managers. In my experience, the carer is put on unpaid leave, while the company investigate the incident. But we generally don't have much savings. So while the innocent person is waiting. There is no support. The guilty people are dealt with by the police.

I love being a carer and enabling people to live their lives to the fullest, by getting the client dressed and presentable, encouraging the client to be more confident and being independent to the level that suits the person. Teaching the client a life skill that will benefit them. Supporting the client to social events so they can meet new and old people and have new experiences.

People think caring is about getting a person dressed or going out for coffee.

We do receive basic training. But there is much more involved.