After 40 years in the healthcare profession, Kate Herron could have decided just to enjoy her retirement. Instead the former nurse started a new career as a care professional with Home Instead Down and Lisburn, in Northern Ireland. “My daughters say I’m good at retiring but not very good at staying retired!” she says. “But it’s such a rewarding job. I get a lot of job satisfaction out of helping people.”
Over the past seven years, Herron has worked with more than 170 clients, providing about 10,000 hours of care. Some may need help with personal care, eating and support overnight. Others need companionship, help with household chores and assistance travelling to medical appointments. She’s currently providing live-in care to Margaret who has advanced dementia. Herron is with her for 24 hours a day, alternating shifts with another colleague. The pair take care of Margaret’s every need. “Even though Margaret doesn’t recognise us any more, she knows she’s safe,” Herron says. “I call her Lady Margaret and say I’m her lady in waiting. It used to make her giggle. Sometimes I still get that glimmer again. It’s often the simple things you do for someone that can have the biggest impact.”
The UK has an ageing population, with government figures showing that almost one in five people in England and Wales are over the age of 65. It’s estimated that over the next 25 years, the number of people older than 85 in England alone will double to 2.6 million, according to independent charity the Health Foundation. Many will need support to continue to live independent lives. According to a recent report by Age UK, 86% of people over 85 in England live with at least one long-term health condition and 1.6 million people aged over 65 have unmet needs for care and support.
For many, it is the families that will provide much of that assistance. The most recent government statistics show that 5 million people in England and Wales provided unpaid care in 2021. It’s not without its challenges. A poll of 2,000 family caregivers by Home Instead found that 86% feel guilty about not doing enough, 65% struggle with their own mental health, 57% feel exhausted and 45% feel isolated or trapped.
Some are finding respite through home care. Home Instead, which has 250 offices throughout the UK, and employs 14,000 care professionals, has seen a dramatic increase in demand for its services from families and the NHS. Visits can range from one hour to 24 hours a day, with assistance covering companionship, home help, personal and overnight care, and more specialist cancer care, neurological care and palliative care.
‘It’s often the simple things you do for someone that can have the biggest impact,’ says Herron
Max Feneley joined the Home Instead team in Tavistock and Tamar Valley in 2020 after completing his A-levels. Two years later he was a finalist in Home Instead’s national caregiving awards after supporting a client through a transient ischaemic attack (or “mini stroke”). Feneley, who is now 21, says he has been surprised how much he’s enjoyed working as a care professional. “I didn’t really know what to expect going into it. I knew I didn’t want to go to university – I’d had enough of sitting in classrooms.
“I usually work six or seven hours a day but it can vary a lot,” he adds. “I have one client, who had a motorbike accident but still works with motorbikes. I help him lift engines, tighten bolts, and just generally chat with him. Another middle-aged lady needs help to transfer in and out of her wheelchair. And others are elderly ladies who want a chat over a cup of tea. What’s surprised me most is how different each client is. You have to always expect the unexpected.”
In the Lake District, Rachel Dixon has worked as part of the Home Instead South Lakes team for the past five years. She has a young daughter and appreciates how well her work fits around her family life. She’s also been able to progress in her career, and has recently completed a level three qualification in health and social care.
“Each day is different. I’ve got my regular clients who I’ll go and get up in the morning, get them their medication, make sure they’re safe. Then I’ll make lunch calls. I have a bit of a break over dinner when I spend time with my daughter. Then my partner takes over and I go out to do some evening visits,” Dixon says. “We have complex clients who have a lot of needs. Others are companionship visits, where you might take them for a walk, or go to Windermere, whatever they want to do really. I have one client who’s 40, and we’ll take her swimming or bowling, and do sensory crafts with her. We try to give her the stimulation and physio that she needs.”
For Dixon, the best thing about the job is helping people become independent again. “I enjoy spending time with my clients. I learn so much from people every day.” She also appreciates the difference she’s able to make to the whole family. “A lot of people are looking after their parents, it’s lovely to be able to help them be a family again, to take that pressure away.”
Herron agrees. She remembers one man in particular who was returning home after a hospital stay. His wife was nervous about caring for him and asked Herron to stay with them for two weeks. “He wasn’t mobile any more, which was a big change. She was so frightened and uncertain about how to deal with it. I spent the fortnight building up her confidence, which was very satisfying. Supporting the families is every bit as important as supporting the client. You’re trying to teach them skills that will make things a bit easier for them.”
Of course, some days have their challenges. There are those clients who are reluctant to have carers in the house, or shy about needing help with personal care. But those are the ones where Herron takes great job satisfaction in gaining their trust. “You have to tread very carefully at the start. You can’t barge in there, overwhelm them or take over. It’s all about them, giving them choice, and helping them make their own decisions as much as they possibly can. It’s a wee bit of a challenge but it’s lovely when they eventually say: ‘When are you coming back again?’”
If you’d like to help someone’s loved one remain in their home, offering much-needed care, find out how to become a Home Instead Care Professional at homeinstead.co.uk/recruitment
