To be infuriated by this comment

[mrsb345]

I was out recently with some friends and the conversation went onto care homes/ carers etc.
One friend said 'all carers do is wipe their bums all day and change beds'
I was absolutely shocked; to the point I went to the bar to get another drink before throwing my other one over her.
I have worked in care, educational SEN settings and for the County Council in Care support. Why do people have this opinion when I can say being a carer/ supporting others is the best job I could ever ask for!???

**wanting to throw my drink! I didn't actually

My DP is a carer for an autistic young man who also has other medical conditions. They go to the theatre and cinema, play video games, do jigsaws, go litter picking on the beach. Definitely no bum wiping. He enjoys his job, who wouldn't.

I think it would be easier to recruit careers if it was as simple as wiping bums all day.

I would have burst out laughing and told this person "well it's obvious you are talking about a subject you know absolutely fuck all about eh?"

@MotherTime3 I agree!!
@TroysMammy Exactly! We do so many exciting and enjoyable activities. It's a shame people don't know how much fun you can have and what a difference you make to people 🙄🤷‍♀️

Pretty much the same as people saying I spend all day playing in my role as childcare practitioner. Infuriating that the most important jobs are thought of in such disrespectful ways.

Its also insulting to people with disablities!

I read your friends comments as its a shit job because all you do is change their beds and wipe their bums because people withh disablities are incable objects. Thats why she thinks theres nothing more to care work than being a glorified cleaner.

I think it would be easier to recruit careers if it was as simple as wiping bums all day

Its actually the personal care element of care work that puts people off. I've heard many people say "oh that sounds like an intetesting job but i couodnt be wiping bottoms cleaning up sick and showering people no no thats wrong"

As an autistic person, who has had support/dom care, i dont need very much personal care, so yes i've enjoyed cooking with my support, lots of nice lunches, coffee, been to concerts.

It’s a misconception. It’s not an insult.

Did you set your friends straight?

:S What about those people who have carers who are quite capable of toileting by themselves and making a bed o_0 what do the carers do then? that must be an easy job doing Fk all :D damn i want to be a carer now.

TBD all we hear about carers is how little time they have with their clients, and how they have to rush through their duties, it's easy to think they wouldn't have time for anything else but the bare minimum. That's not a criticism of anyone.

I imagine that it would depend on the setting in which the care was taking place and also the set up eg 1-1in someone's home would be very different from a care home set up.

I have had no dealings with the system so have little knowledge of the system. I think most people have little knowledge of others' jobs.

My father'n'law is in a specialist dementia home - his carers have become his new family. I agree with you - its an absolute insult. For very little pay and often unsociable hours - Carers try and provide their clients with a better quality of life through managing their complex medical needs and trying to ensure its all done while maintaining their clients dignity and respecting their wishes.. They have to deal with the families opinions and feelings too. Careers are saints in my opinion. It has to be a life calling because its a damn hard job that most people would find challenging to do well.

Horrible, ignorant comment. I get very saddened when I hear comments about care homes being grim places to wait and die....,the reality is that many of us will end up in one, one day. And, some of them are actually very nice happy places.

Yes its disgusting. I think before people dismiss these roles they should try it themselves. Its an honourable job to provide care to vulnerable people or people who are towards the end of their lives, to ensure they are given as much love and care at the end of their life as they were at the beginning. I used to run a care homes group for very dependent older people - we saw it as a privilege to do both things - provide care and a home.

People have misconceptions about all kinds of jobs, though. I’m an academic, and many people labour under the delusion that I work during actual student contact hours, and only during term time.

My nan's carer was a godsend who went over and above. If she knew my auntie had cooked a meal my nan probably would not enjoy she would bring food she had cooked herself. She prayed by her bedside when she was passing and came to her funeral. She not only provided personal care but much needed love and support to my nan at the end. Yabu I would have done the same x

As a healthcare assistant who's work in a nursing home I have to say the majority of my shift was made up of beds, bums, washing and feeding.

Your role as a carer differs from where you do you work. I worked in rehab setting. The carers would get people back to more independent state so they could wash/dress/toilet themselves. Our cares also did exercise with the patients and playing games. On the ward helping with audits, clinical stock ordering and bed making.

My dad is in a residential care home at the moment, so may I say, on his behalf, THANK YOU for what you do? The staff where he is are fabulous, and are making a real difference to his health and his quality of life.

Let's hope your friend doesn't one day find herself in need of a carer. Ignorant, much

Carers in different scenarios (offering help in the home environment and later in two specialist residential and nursing homes) made a huge difference to my FiL. Their kindness and humanity made him feel relaxed and secure during an incredibly difficult time. My dsis works as a carer and her involvement allows the person more independence and gives the family much needed respite. Good carers do a demanding job and often deal with vunerable people, complex needs and a range of challenges. I still feel a huge sense of gratitude for the help received from the care teams my family were supported by - they made a genuine difference to our lives.

@NaughtToThreeSadOnions I know a lot of people who feels it’s an easy job as they imagine this is all needs doing. I also know I lot of staff who find it one of the easiest parts, as it isn’t the stressful part. Personal preference I suppose, but yes I see your point. it’s a very difficult and under appreciated job none the less. Ops friend is clearly uneducated in this area and showing her ignorance

Ignorance of care work is infuriating and also patronising.

While my job as a support worker for young adults with autism and other ASN does require personal care (in different ways for different service users), it most certainly is not all I do, and the job is emotionally, physically and mentally exhausting. Worth it, and something I'm very proud to be able to do, but a very full on job.

I'd probably have bought a drink just to chuck over your friend!

I suspect your friend wouldn't last 5 minutes caring for my non verbal teen with challenging behaviour.

My mam is in a care home. She has Alzheimer’s. Her carers are great. They certainly deserve a hell of a lot more money than they get.
I couldn’t do the job and I definitely respect those that do.