Domicilary or care home?

[CrunchyKnot]

New to care and in the fortunate potion of choosing between two job offers. Both comparable in terms of pay even considering travel time with the dom job. Which would you consider ‘better’ and why please?

YABU - Domicilary
YANBU - Care home

Maybe I put this in the wrong place 🙈

I think a lot would depend on you and your circumstances. Dom care is more likely to be flexible with hours and you will only ever have to deal with 1 customer at a time so can give a more personal service. You will have more variety and every day will be different. It usually attracts a slightly higher hourly rate.
However, you may well end up with gaps in your day meaning you have to be available for more than 8 hours to get 8 hours worth of wages if you see what I mean. Also some people find it stressful having to rush between appointments and you will probably need to use your own car for transport. You may be out on your own for most of the day and won’t have colleagues physically there for moral support.
I work in Dom care and know lots of carers who have done residential work and hated it but I’m sure there are others who feel the opposite way.

Dom care. Purely because when you are with a client, you are with that client and not having six people all shouting at wanting you to do xyz and z at the same time. Disadvantage is that (sometimes) you are on your own and need to think on your feet without immediate back up. In a care home at least you can use a panic button (if they work) or shout for help.
There are advantages and disadvantages to both. The ‘good’ thing atm is that it is easy to get a job in both sectors. So if you don’t like one, you can give the other a chance.

Thank you for your insight.1 worry a bit about being out on my own especially as I’m new to care

I've never worked in dom care only care homes, but I didn't like the idea of dom care for me, I don't mean that I don't think it's a good idea but that the way it's run (having had friends that have and still do do it) is not a way that's for me.
I don't like the idea of being rushed through calls because I don't have enough travel time between calls or leaving someone waiting the other end because I'm late at one call as they need a little extra help. I also don't like that you're on your own, unless it's a double up call. I don't like the idea of not knowing the other carers that go in, or being able to speak f2f just read notes, especially with people who have dementia, live alone or can't communicate. In a care home you get a handover at either end of the shift.
As I said though, I've never done it and although I would if it were the only job available, I wouldn't do it if I could work in a home instead. Just not for me.

Very different propositions, assuming you drive you may like the flexibility of dom care, if you don’t, consider the weather in winter or even summer in the UK, you can get soaked going from client to client. Also having known someone who has worked in both environments, in a care home, there is more support, if you are new to care work, what I mean is if you call the office if you are concerned about a client in Dom care, but if you are going to go home & worry, in a care home others are on hand 24/7 if you see what I mean. Neither are better or worse, it’s whatever you feel more comfortable with. Good luck with whatever you decide OP.

I’ve done both and prefer care homes; I like having colleagues and being able to “hand over” at the end of shifts especially if I’m worried, I like that if I need help there’s others there. I found it hard to say bye to people when going into their homes knowing they wouldn’t see anyone else until the next visit.
K

Hi, I started doing Dom care a year ago. I think from what I’ve been told by the others on the team, it comes down to the company you work for. The call times we get are very generous and iv only been late finishing a few times, but I finish early almost all the time. Our office support is fantastic and iv never been worried about ringing her.
There are so many jobs available you can take your pick.

I have done both and they both had disadvantages but if you are just starting out I would go for the care home job get your confidence up you will
Learn so much from other colleagues and are more likely to get more training and Experience in things like moving and handling
Good luck what ever you choose though will be very rewarding x