Our unsung heroes: Recognising carers in home care

Merina Martin, Homecare Champion, at CareLineLive, a technology company dedicated to helping the home care business, explores how better home carers can be supported to ensure they continue to deliver the outstanding work they do.   

Home care is an essential service for people who suffer with an illness, disability, or the effects of ageing, but still want to maintain their independence and quality of life. However, despite their efforts of providing an extraordinary service, home carers sometimes find their role to be challenging both physically and emotionally but are met with little support.

The most recent Census report shows the number of estimated carers in England and Wales to be at five million, but research from Carers UK in 2022 found the umber could be as high as 10.6 million as a vast amount of people who do the job are sometimes afraid to come forward.

Research founded by both the 2021 Census report and Carers UK highlights that the majority of people who provide care are not in the job for the money, but solely to help others. This provides even more of a reason to recognise the vital role they play. Looking after others through the goodness of their own hearts and helping to bring communities together is why a carers position must never be overstated.

Investing in carers

Investing in carers and building stronger circles of care can create a society that values and supports the needs of vulnerable people. It is essential that both government and care agencies are investing in people who take on the job, providing them with all the tools they need to ensure they complete tasks to the best of their ability.

However, this is currently not happening. Increasing pressures and demands placed on carers have led to high staff turnover and vacancy rates within the sector. The surge in the number of visas issued to foreign workers last year was predominantly driven by care workers, with a staggering 268,000 visas granted, nearly twice the amount issued in 2019. Responding to the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic, the government acted in December 2021 by including care workers in the shortage occupation list.

This was to allow care homes to enlist overseas workers, resulting in a substantial rise in the influx of health and care professionals. In fact, the number of individuals entering the health and care sector last year surged by almost two and a half times compared to the previous year, with a total of 77,000 visas, marking a record high for any industry.

Studies have also shown that carers, both professional and unpaid, have had increased anxious feelings due to the nature of their roles. It is imperative that carers are provided with mental health resources and support to improve overall well-being.

Technology’s role

Technology is arguably one of the most substantial ways of supporting the care industry. Not only can it help to upgrade traditional paper-based processes, therefore allowing carers more time to spend with their patients, but recent developments in technology have introduced tools and platforms that can be used to increase efficiency and productivity.

One example of this is a leading technology company, otherwise known as Oysta, has produced a range of technologies to help carers, including a device that helps to discharge patients from hospital and records all of their health requirements, so carers do not have to hand-write or log it themselves.

Alongside this, technology can also assist carers and care agencies with scheduling, generating reports and improving regulatory compliance. These features drastically reduce workloads.

Recognising and valuing carers

Recognising and valuing carers is a key strategy for building stronger circles of care and stronger communities. Ultimately, if carers feel appreciated and supported, the circle of care will be strengthened and improved.

However, there is a long way to go before this can be achieved. The reality of lone working for many home care workers is that they may become disconnected from their colleagues. For some, they may not connect face-to-face with their fellow team members for days, weeks or even months at a time. This can lead to dissatisfaction and rejection of what can be a rewarding career with many opportunities for advancement. The impact of a disengaged and fractured workforce certainly disrupts continuity of care for people using service.

Despite this, many care providers work tirelessly to ensure that their teams stay connected with their colleagues. Engagement is key from the get-go and carers need to feel that there is a genuine proactive interest in their well-being and that their continual professional development is considered. Following this, the government published their ‘next steps’ paper on social care reform in which they pledged to provide £250m over the next two years to enable better career progression and recognition of the skills required to become a carer. Although this is a good start, many people already in the industry claim that more needs to be done.

Home care is a challenge career to say the least. Individuals within the industry are often met with a lack of support and recognition, when really these unsung heroes should be raved about from the rooftops. Showing carers that they are valued and appreciated is of utmost importance in ensuring a strong circle of care.

Images: Cristiano Firmani and Pexels