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Hello! So a bit of information about me as a carer: I am a highly competent, hardworking and compassionate carer with an outgoing personality. I am very confident in providing personal care especially to elderly/frail clients and adults unable to carry out everyday tasks independently. Not only ...More Hello! So a bit of information about me as a carer: I am a highly competent, hardworking and compassionate carer with an outgoing personality. I am very confident in providing personal care especially to elderly/frail clients and adults unable to carry out everyday tasks independently. Not only am I a competent compassionate carer, but I can also confidently say that I am caring and sensitive, responsible, trustworthy and reliable; I am also an observational and keen listener - excellent with both my verbal and communication skills, and above all, I value building positive and lasting relationships with both clients and their families. Additionally, I am adaptable to requirements of individual clients, while always aiming to promote the client’s independence; maintain client confidentiality; and treat every individual with dignity, offering emotional support and empathy. Experiences: I'll just quickly share with you my experience within care - how long I have worked in care, the types of conditions I have dealt it with, as well as share one personal story that reinforces why I find it fulfilling looking and caring for someone at a time when they are less able to do so for themselves. Starting with my experience, I came to the UK in 2000; My first job settling in the UK was working in an elderly residential care home, safe to say this was my first glimpse into the cultural differences that exist between where I had come from and this new country that would become home. I worked in that residential care home for just over two years, and those years left an indelible imprint on me on what it means to do purposeful work, to know that what I am doing is making someone’s life easier and their smile wider. When I left after 2 years, I went on to work in other diverse jobs, then in 2016 I decided to take up live in care work intermittently - mostly, providing holiday covers; also in 2019 I took on home care - working part time Saturdays and Sundays. At the beginning of 2020 I left the full time office job I was in, which wasn’t giving me any fulfilment - and as it would happen the pandemic brought everything to a standstill, and this would also give me a moment to pause and clearly reflect on what’s next. I remembered the appreciation and value I always got from working in care, and consequently, realised that it was that fulfilment from a job that I was missing. From February 2020 I have been working full time as a live in carer - from February until August 2020 I was working with an agency for various clients in the Buckinghamshire area; clients included a 100 year old lady with a very sharp mind but susceptible to falls, a lady in her 60s living with Parkinson's disease, another lady in her 70s - bed ridden and in the late stages of dementia as well as another in her 80s, still very independent but needed the companionship. From September 2020 until October 2021 I was privately employed in Hampshire looking after a lovely but stubbornly independent 93 year old lady who unfortunately is now deceased. Conditions I have dealt with: These have ranged from those that just need the companionship - a reassuring and friendly presence around the house to those who have just had a diagnosis of early onset dementia, Alzheimer’s, those already living with it, I have also looked after clients with Parkinson’s, MS, Cancer, arthritis, impaired hearing and vision, as well as those recuperating post op. Some of my Duties: - In terms of the care I have provided and am happy to provide, I am comfortable and happy with providing all personal care - toileting, washing, oral care, dressing etc - Assist with mobilising, transfers - have experience using equipment to support transfers, eg molifts, a hoist but with assistance Why Care? Why care? I only have to think of my most recent placement - the 93 year old lady. As I have already alluded to she was not only stubbornly independent but fiercely fought to remain so even though she really was struggling with both her physical and mental health. I believe one of my strengths is building positive and lasting relationships- this is one of the greatest and most tangible joys of providing care, someone giving into their vulnerability and allowing themselves to trust, accept and appreciate your help, and me as a carer steadfastly encouraging them to retain as much of their independence as possible - small things like doing their nightly routine of applying their face night cream and brush their hair. Additionally, as a carer it's not just about the physical assistance I can offer, but vitally important is also the emotional and mental support, and this has never been much needed during the time we've lived with the pandemic. As an example with my lovely 93 year old client, I went in to care for her after a diagnosis of early stages of Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia; with both of her children living abroad and not being able to visit because of the pandemic I was there to offer reassurance when anxieties set in, alleviate any worries she had. I cared for her when she suddenly decided she no longer wanted to leave her bed, and then when her condition deteriorated that palliative care came into place, it was during all these changes that I felt my life made sense, and I could feel and see the help I was to my client as well as to her family. Her passing away was unfortunate and sad, but even better, the 12 months I was a part of her story are some of my most rewarding and enjoyable moments. A bit of Information of me as a person: My favourite season is Autumn - I especially love all the vibrant ambers, reds and yellows of autumn, I like to think of it as the cozy season! - in terms of hobbies - I am such an avid reader, I love a good thriller and the occasional biography, I also love listening to audiobooks and podcasts - Love doing the NY Times crosswords and Spelling Bee - Scrabble enthusiast My interests include: - Politics and current affairs - travel - Theatre and cinema - Live music, some classic Mozart is a favourite - Watching sport especially tennis and F1 - I also love watching European tv - especially Nordic psychological and political thrillers and French police procedural dramas How are my cooking skills? I would like to think I am a capable cook, and if all fails I’m really good at following a recipe! I do not mind either preparing fresh meals or frozen ones, I am adept at cooking English, and to some extent Italian and Indian dishes. I am happy to cater to clients' tastes while also encouraging healthy habits like taking as much fluids as possible for example. I hope you have enjoyed knowing a little about me, but most importantly, I hope I have some of the skills you're looking for in a carer for your relative! I am happy to provide more details if needed. Thank you for your time!