Care work is HARD

[Coronationchicken34]

Working in an office feels ridiculously cushy compared to this, honestly. Paid at just over minimum wage too.
Very physical, high pressure and emotionally tough. Breaking your back every single day for minimum wage, SSP and very poor pension.
You are dealing with people at the end of their life, who because of the nature of their condition can verbally and physically abuse you, one mistake and you could kill someone/go to prison.
On your feet all day apart from breaks. X3 20 min break in 12 hours, and no smoking breaks or just popping to the shops when you fancy.
I challenge anyone to do this job for even a day!

It’s a tough job. I admire people who work in any kind of care capacity or have to care for loved ones or relatives too. Really really hard.

I don't think I could do it OP, care work must be some of the hardest possible work to do

I did it for years and agree it's a hard job which is only getting harder.

It was also the most rewarding job I've done, but I wouldn't go back.

Yanbu at all, apart from the bit about smoking breaks. Non-smokers don't get additional breaks whenever they fancy it, so why should you just because you won't quit a horrid habit?

I don't smoke, and I mean that in other workplaces you are free to pop out at most times of the day, but not in care homes, schools etc.

I agree. But all the smokers I worked with used to take multiple smoke breaks. Pissed me right off.

Oh I see, sorry. I don't think that's particularly unique to care work tbh, but yanbu that it's a hard job. I certainly couldn't do it.

I visited my mother in a care home for many years and had great admiration for the carers who were wonderful people (mainly women but there were a couple of young guys too). They were always respectful but also very cheerful and brilliant with difficult residents. I don't know how they did it.

YANBU I worked in one when younger for a summer and it was really hard. Dementia ward. I still remember one senile lady trying to throw poo at me when I went into her room. Some were aggressive, some depressive and some were just not there mentally. I admire those who do that job for a long time because the two months I worked almost broke me. So hard to see the relatives during visiting hours as well. Everyone was just so sad. I will take precautions to exit myself if I start losing my head. It's just no dignity in transforming into someone you're not and having people wipe your arse and not recognising your children.