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Hello, I’m Amy G (there’s another Amy on the team!). I’m the Helping Hands Live-in Care Manager for Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire. I was born in Buckinghamshire and lived there for 10 years. I went to Secondary school in Gloucestershire and now live in the Midlands with my family close by. |
My Qualifications
I’m one of the newest members of the team and have been with Helping Hands about a year. Even though this is my first role in care, I have a customer services background and I’m used to working with people. I also have a personal understanding of the practical and emotional ways in which Carers and clients need support. My brother was diagnosed with Cancer at 19 - It was a difficult time for all our family and supporting each other through it was really important. This has given me a real insight into what we do on a personal level.
I’m currently completing conditions related training in Dementia, and I plan on extending this list at every opportunity over the coming years.
- Level 1 & 2 Risk Assessor Training
- BTEC in Business and Finance
My Experience with Elderly Care
70% of my care packages are for the Over 65s who suffer mainly with Dementia or Parkinson’s. I keep in regular contact with different family members and Health Care Professionals to make sure that every element of care has been set-up and managed effectively. The Over 65s have a number of people involved in their care packages, so keeping everyone on the loop is really important.
Younger Persons and Respite Care
The other 30% of my care packages are for younger people. They have conditions spanning Multiple Sclerosis, Stroke and Cerebral Palsy. These younger clients are generally more independent than my older clients and require a different type of care package that enables them to be more sociable.
One of my clients is in his early 20’s; he used to live at home with his parents. Live-in Care has allowed him to move out of the family home and into his own property. He now has a full social life, goes to the gym, out to nightclubs and regularly has friends over. This has given him a new lease of life and true independence that most in their 20’s crave!
I regularly look after a family who takes 3-4 holidays a year and need care provision for there mother. The respite care is a great way to give key family members a well needed break with peace of mind that their mum will be looked after.
Job satisfaction
I love the variety of the job. Live-in Care is such a personal area for clients and family members. It is very satisfying to set up a complex package of care with different Health Care Professionals and run it effectively.
I now look after a lady who had a fall and went into hospital; she then went into a Care Home as she needed 24/7 care. Her condition went down hill quickly as she was deeply unhappy, she wasn’t eating and couldn’t dress. Her family quickly decided that Live-in Care was a much better option than a care home.
Just 2 weeks after she went home with her Helping Hands Live-in Carer, she started to eat and drink again. Even though she is still frail, she is now very independent. It’s wonderful to see what a difference our Live-in Care service has made to her and her family.
Tell us about your Carers
The continuity our Carers provide is wonderful. One of our Helping Hands Carers has been with her client for 11 years. They are always out and about, they go on holiday together, and she takes him to see friends and family members regularly. The fact he has Cerebral Palsy makes no difference to either of them. They are best friends and the Carer has become part of the family.
That’s why this job is so rewarding!
A bit about me
I’m a very open, honest and straight forward person; I don’t like to complicate things. I’m a real people person; I love to meet new people and build relationships. I have a real desire to help people improve their lives and can empathise with the situation that family members are in. When not at work I enjoy beauty therapy, as well as kick boxing, listening to music and walking my dog Cleo!
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