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Hello, I’m Marie a Local Care Service Manager at Helping Hands. I look after the care needs of our Live-in Care clients in Surrey, where I am based. |
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My Qualifications
I joined Helping Hands in 2005 as a Carer. When I moved into the office, I initially worked in Hourly Care as a Care Manager, before I joined the Live-in Care team in November 2008. In addition to my Degree, I have completed the following training:
- Risk Assessor Level 2 Training
- Dementia Training
- NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care
My Experience with Elderly Care
The majority of my experience is in elderly care; I find the Over 65’s age bracket both challenging and rewarding. The types of disability I have worked with in this field range from Spinal Injuries to Acquired Brain Injuries and Dementia.
I’ve dealt with different levels of Dementia over the years; this experience allows me to adapt my working practices to ensure that the level of care I am providing is appropriate and well managed. In minor cases I work directly with the individual receiving the care; in more severe cases I work with the main decision maker, usually a family member, friend or sometimes a social worker.
My working knowledge has increased tremendously over the years; I think my hands-on experience of being a Carer has certainly helped me become a better Live-in Care Manager. The training I have received from Helping Hands complements my experience. The Dementia training went into real depth and I found it so helpful, I still draw on the information now.
Younger Persons and Respite Care
I use a very different management style with my younger clients. The key is really to understand the person, and how the condition affects their way of live. Providing care to these people is very rewarding, it’s all about understanding the individual. Like realising that many of them prefer to deal with me via email rather than over the phone!
I’m used to dealing with Respite Care; having previously worked with our Hourly Care team where we support the Adult Social Services teams in Worcestershire and Warwickshire. In most cases Respite Care packages are complex and emotional, as family members are usually the main care givers. The positive effect can be massive; the clients’ respond as well to the break as the regular car provider.
Job satisfaction
This job is satisfying because Live-in Care works! Live-in Care removes the guilt that families feel due to the overwhelming responsibility that is placed on them. Sometimes the relationship with the client and family member becomes strained or is at breaking point, the boundaries between family and care provider become blurred. Time and again I see Live-in Care lift the pressure, allowing a close family relationship to resume. That’s simply why I love my job, I get to facilitate and watch this happen.
The older generation sometimes need protecting from the more ‘unscrupulous’ people out there. I recently had a case where a ‘dodgy’ builder tried to con an elderly gentleman out of £70,000 for unnecessary building work. Due to our guidelines and training, our Carer called the police and had them check out the building firm. We managed to stop our client losing a significant amount of money; this reassured the family that we were looking out for all his interests, not just his physical and mental care needs.
Tell us about your Carers
I have a lady who needs to be hoisted 4 times a day; she really doesn’t like this and has panic attacks prior to each hoist, the process makes her feel totally exposed. Our Carer has to be so patient and spends a significant amount of time calming her down, and reassuring her that it will all be ok. The family understand how difficult it can be and applaud the Carer for her patience and compassion. The lady has a level of independence that wouldn’t be possible without a Live-in Carer.
A Bit about me
I am a people person; I’m very sociable and I enjoy spending time with the people I love. I like to be open minded and positive and I’m very interested in alternative complementary therapies. I enjoy listening to music and going to live music venues, especially as my boyfriend is a musician. I like going for walks, reading and watching films at home or at the cinema.