Challenges in Care & How to Overcome Them

Being there for someone in need is no small feat; care workers are the unsung heroes making it happen every single day. Care is one of the most rewarding careers available and allows people to make massive impacts in their communities. 

Like all jobs, however, care work does bring along some challenges. No two days are ever the same, though knowing what challenges to expect and finding ways to overcome potential problems will help make your career run smoother. 

In this article, we’ll be looking at some of the common challenges care workers face, and how to conquer them.

When a service user resists care

If a client is receiving assisted living or homecare for the first time, or you’re new to their support circle, they may be reluctant to let you help. For some service users, this is often due to a fear of losing their independence, so it is imperative that you reassure them and find ways to accommodate their preferences. 

A major part of the role is building up trust and maintaining a strong relationship with your service users. If you can keep a consistently good relationship, it will often be easier to fulfil your duties and ensure their happiness. 

One thing to remember if a service user is resisting care, it is imperative to always remain calm. Take time out of your schedule to talk to them and directly ask how you can assist them. This will be a chance to validate your responsibilities and position; if you show genuine concern for their wellbeing, they will be more likely to cooperate with you. 

Managing various shifts

As a care worker, you will be required to organise your time so that you can attend all of the necessary visits in a single day, so having good time management is key. Shifts for carers can oftentimes be long and irregular, spanning across weekends and nights.

The common issues care workers face when dealing with these hours are an unbalanced work personal life, higher stress levels and mental and physical exhaustion. 

By planning your time and learning to balance your work and personal life, you will be more likely to be successful and satisfied in the role. For a lot of people, the flexible schedules can fit around busy lives, as there's always shifts available to suit your timetables. 

Arranging Transport

Role-dependent care workers may need to be able to drive in order to reach particular locations, whether it be to a care home or a service users’ personal address. Having your own means of transport can be extremely helpful as you won’t have to rely on public transport. 

However, you can still land a career in care without a license. It will be your responsibility to get to your calls on time, so we always recommend planning your days in advance and having routes prepared. You could plan to walk, cycle, bus, train or drive. 

Care workers often have shifts across several different locations, so regardless of how you plan to travel, preparation and planning will go a long way in ensuring you turn up on time to provide the best possible care to your client. 

Coping with a Decline in Health

When working closely with your service user often, you will likely develop a strong bond with them, so it can be distressing and worrying if their health takes a dramatic decline, especially if the individual is particularly vulnerable or elderly. 

Coping in these situations can be very difficult and can have an impact on the way you perform your duties as a care worker. Finding the right balance between compassion and professionalism is a good way to prepare yourself for these sudden changes, if and when they do happen. Thankfully though, there are a number of helpful resources that can assist if you find yourself in a situation like this and are struggling. Employers, care homes and other staff are always there for support and reassurance and professional help is always available online, over the phone or in person. 

Communicating with External Healthcare Professionals

As you will be spending a lot of time with the service users you may be the first to notice changes in their health, or new symptoms. If this is the case, you will be responsible for passing this information on to the relevant people and external professionals, such as nurses and doctors, to ensure the patient gets the best care and treatment possible. 

This can sometimes be difficult as workers need to advocate for their service users, and stand up for their health and wellbeing. 

You will need to know who to contact in these occasions so that health declines don’t go unnoticed. Sometimes, you may not need to get in direct contact with a doctor, you can report back to your care agency who will carry on the communication further if need be. From the offset, you should understand what your protocol is for these situations so that you are prepared to keep the service users health at number one priority. 

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Becoming a support worker is a rewarding and varied career. It’s a role that is a pivotal support system for those who face various difficulties, and like any other, isn’t without its challenges. Understanding these hurdles prepares prospective support workers for what lies ahead, but also equips them to navigate them effectively, ensuring a rewarding and impactful career. 

The essence of being a support worker lies in navigating these challenges with grace, learning from each experience, and continuing to provide a high level of support and companionship, making a significant impact in people’s lives. 

If you are looking for your first or next care role, we at The SKA Group Ltd can help you find the perfect role for you. We have several open vacancies for support workers across Leeds and Bradford - get in touch today to find out more!