Age is no barrier to becoming a carer

Becoming a carer can open up a whole new way of life and our staff here at Sentinel Care Services come from a variety of backgrounds with age proving no barrier to starting your chosen career.

Whether you’ve just finished university, recently started out on your working life, looking for a change of career or wanting to resume a place in the workplace after bringing up a family, then come and see what we have to offer.

If you are wondering, “how do I become a carer’, take Karina as an example. She came to us four-and-a-half years ago and loves her job as a caregiver. Here’s her story. . .

Karina Norwood

“I worked in an office many years ago and then finished work to raise a family. I have six children and eight grandchildren and when the children were grown up I was getting a bit bored and decided I wanted something to do,” she says.

“Sentinel took me on in my mid-40s and I became a team leader and care supervisor. I had to have a back operation last year and when I returned could not give my job the 150% that I had been giving. I didn’t want to leave and so became a caregiver.

“I love the job and it is so interesting talking to clients and hearing the many fascinating tales they have to tell.

“There are six clients I visit on a daily basis – the same people – so I get to know them and them me very well. I think that is most important and it helps build up the trust they have in me.

“I work mainly alone although there is one client which requires two carers. I work mainly in the Bridgnorth and Wheaton Aston areas and help out with all the daily needs – things that most of us take for granted.

“My day starts about 11am with a cup of tea, a biscuit and a chat with my first client. I then help out with the cooking and cleaning and we have a little sing along the way.

“One of my clients is a stroke victim. He was a professional man and is highly intelligent. He loves me to talk to him so I try and keep up to date with everything that is going on in the world so I can hold a meaningful conversation with him.

“I started the job as something to get me out of the house but it has become so much more than a job and clients have so much to offer. It’s truly amazing. One former client, who has since died, was always very quiet and it seemed like he was reluctant to have me in his home.

“But we did get to chat and he told me he was one of the first people through the gates at Belsen concentration camp. When he started to talk about it he just couldn’t stop. His story was horrific but it was clearly something he had kept locked up inside him for all those years.

“Caring was something I thought I could do when I was looking at getting back into work. I had helped look after my nan and mum and believed it was something I could do that would be both satisfying to me and make a real difference to those people who need help the most.

“I am glad I followed through and joined Sentinel. The training and company are first class and it is a pleasure to work with my clients on a daily basis.”

For more information about becoming a caregiver, give the team at Sentinel a call on 0845 129 8157.

Tags: care in Shropshire, care in Staffordshire, carer, Shropshire, Staffordshire