Committed home carers battle severe floods proving dedication to caring vocation

The recent flooding has been causing problems for people throughout the country, leaving many people in the South East of the country without power and some older people more vulnerable in their own homes.

While flooding has largely been affecting coastal towns and homes near rivers, home carers have been showing their commitment to some of the most vulnerable people in communities by ensuring they are able to continue to call in on all of their home visits.

One home carer for Care South at Home (covering Dorset & Somerset) Bath and North Somerset’s office explained how she carried out her visits on foot during the floods to reach the homes of service users she was due to visit.

Julie Bonney said: “No matter what the weather is doing outside, our service users depend upon the care we provide. We might get wet and cold but our service users are always welcoming and pleased to see us when we arrive and that makes it worth it. Bad weather brings people together and people are very grateful for the extra effort.”

Ms Bonney was able to make sure everyone she visited had taken their medication, had enough to eat and were warm in their homes despite the bad weather.

‘Cinderella carers'

Calls have been made for the public to remember ‘Cinderella’ carers who have been working hard over the festive period and during the recent bad weather to care for those who most need it.

Mike Padgham, chair of the Independent Care Group (York and North Yorkshire), said: “Many carers, paid and unpaid, will get very little break during this time of year and will be working extra hard to ensure people get the care they need.

“Every year people quite rightly remember doctors, nurses and the emergency services who do a fantastic job, but often overlook those who care for older and vulnerable people.”

“That daily knock on the door from a home carer might be the only contact some people get at a time when everyone else is celebrating with family and friends.”

Beyond the call of duty

London based provider Penrose Care Ltd recognised a member of their home care team for her dedication to her job and has been described as going ‘beyond the call of duty’ by the care groups manager.

Robert Stephenson-Padron, managing director of Penrose Care Ltd, described her hard work, saying: “I have one worker who has gone way above the call of duty this winter season.

“First thing, she has organised, with our endorsement, a Christmas carols group (including herself, Penrose staff, and friends) to go and sing Christmas carols voluntarily at local care homes and hospices.

“Second thing, this worker uses her motor scooter to get to clients and so on days where the weather has been particularly bad, I have offered her the use of a taxi. She has refused, opting to still use her motor scooter – which is the fastest modality (because she can’t get stuck in traffic) meaning she can spend more time with our clients if they require this and prevent any undue rushing.”

Getting to work during bad weather can affect many people, but for those providing home care services it is during these adverse conditions where their role becomes even more necessary in order to care for vulnerable adults and older people in the community.

One carer was recognised at the 2013 Wales care awards with a Silver Award for her dedication to reaching vulnerable people in the community during the snow and blizzards last winter.

Heather Jasper, a home carer for the Llandudno office of Blue Ribbon Community Care Ltd care group persuaded her next door neighbour to use his tractor to take her to all her home visits, in order to ensure the snow didn’t stop her from carrying out her daily roles.

Having previously worked in accountancy, Ms Jasper changed career after caring for her mother who suffered from dementia. On describing her career change she said: “I should have done it many years ago.

“It’s good to know when one is making a difference, even if it isn’t permanent.”

Further bad weather expected

Domiciliary care manager at Care’s South’s Bath and North East Somerset home care office, Karen Reid, commended the valuable role home carers have, especially during the coldest period of the year.

She said: “We are very proud of our home carers who venture out in all conditions to ensure our service users get the care they need. They simply don’t let the weather stop them!

“As another cold spell approaches, the team faces further difficult conditions. We’re confident they will cope admirably – last year our home carers walked miles in snow and ice to make every call when driving was very dangerous.

“Winter is a challenging time of year and it’s reassuring for our service users to know that we’ll do everything we can to get to them and ensure they’re warm and well looked after.”