No matter what sort of career you pursue, your day is bound to be scheduled in some fashion. Most of us have a routine we follow, day in and day out. This helps to not only organize our actions for the day, but keep us motivated to finish each work day strong.
Some professions, for obvious reasons, have a more lax structure. Others have a more complex, yet intricate, schedule that must be followed with care. For personal support workers, the latter point can be applied. Most PSWs have similarities in their daily routines, which can be examined further here.
You will learn more about the daily tasks and responsibilities after enrolling in a personal support worker course. For more details, here are the seven things to know about a day in the life of a PSW:
1. Morning Routine
Before the day actually begins, a personal support worker will get themselves ready for the day. This portion of time is dedicated to a few things, in order to set the tone for the incoming hours. The alarm is set for an early hour, such as 7 or 6 a.m., depending on their job requirements.
A personal support worker may choose to either look at specific client needs at this point. Or, they will use this personal time to work on themselves. A quick workout at the gym, or a bit of meditation, is usually conducted. Once their physical and mental energies are sorted out, the actual day may begin.
2. Meeting Clients
Meeting with clients is another important duty that happens every day in the life of a PSW. After hitting the road, a personal support worker will go meet clients at their designated facility. This can be in an actual long-term care facility, or inside a family home. Since many personal support workers operate in different facets, it is subject to change. In some cases, they may even have multiple clients to meet throughout the day.
Some personal support workers travel virtually all day. There is no shortage of clients to tend to, especially if the demographics are older in a specified location. Even though exhaustion will kick in eventually, personal support workers remain professional. Care and compassion is advocated, especially in this line of work.
3. Customized Support
After checking in with a client, the real work then begins. For starters, if it is still in the morning, a personal support worker assists clients in all facets. Changing their clothes, taking them to the bathroom, and organizing breakfast is generally applicable. At other times, they will assist in their dental care as well.
Many clients that are dealt with will not be as cognitively sound as they once were. This means that they may not be aware of the time of day. It is the job of the personal support worker to make sure they are receptive to this, if need be. Constant, effective communication is key in this regard.
4. Midday Activities
After getting their first meal of the day in, a client will generally have some free time. This can be the perfect opportunity to get some other tasks completed. For starters, a personal support worker can take the client back to their room for a bath. This is because there is no time beforehand for proper cleaning, prior to breakfast.
When that is taken care of, this is a good chance to spend quality time with the client. Bonding with clientele is one of the most important aspects of being a personal support worker. It can be as simple as having conversations with them, or playing fun board games. The choice is really up to the worker, unless they are advised to do otherwise.
5. Mealtime
The second meal of the day is then provided to the client in question. For those in a long-term care facility, most clients will be taken to a large dining room. A personal support worker will provide their designated client with their meal, and tend to their needs. Some clients have specific dietary needs to consider.
For example, due to religious reasons, they may choose to not eat anything with pork. It is important to acknowledge this, and serve them accordingly. After this meal has been granted, the day is almost finished.
6. Winding Down
Every personal support worker, towards the end of their day, has to do some documenting. After making sure that the client is okay, their overall conditions must be noted down. This can include how they appear visually, to how much food and drink they consumed for the day.
7. Transitioning Support
If the subsequent shift is being taken by an incoming PSW, it is the job of the current worker to leave a report. The report should contain all pertinent information related to the client. It’s a job that is twenty-four hours and seven days a week. Therefore, accuracy in documentation is vital.
The job of a personal support worker seems like it has no end in sight. However, it is one of the most important jobs in our society. Providing care to the elderly requires a strong mindset, and kindness above all else!
