Providing care near the end of life, yet still undervalued and underpaid

Care workers are among those continuing to keep the country running throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Nicola Hollingsworth is one of the UK’s 1.6 million care workers. A support worker in Thanet, specialising in end-of-life care, Nicola spends her days visiting people’s homes and supporting them to live their final days with independence and dignity. “End of life care looks different for different people,” she explains. “Some people are already bed-bound by the time we get involved and some are still quite able. Part of the skill of the job is knowing how to constantly switch gears between each visit. “Today, I’ve got one chap who’s bed-bound but totally with it, followed by a woman who’s very mobile. You can’t go into everyone’s home and treat them all the same.” Providing end-of-life care is an emotionally demanding role. “Sometimes it’s really hard because you get attached to the people you’re caring for. It’s not like we don’t know what’s going to happen, but it’s still hard,” says Nicola. “A gentleman passed away yesterday who was full of life and so cheeky, and I used to really get on with him and his wife. It was so sad that he died, and now his wife is completely on her own because of lockdown. I wish I could go and look after her as well, but I can’t.” Describing her work as the most “exhausting job on the planet” because of the emotional toll it takes, Nicola points out that few people realise just how much is invol...
Source: UNISON meat hygiene - Category: Food Science Authors: Tags: Article News care work care worker social care Source Type: news