Different Types of Care

There are so many different types of Care, it can be tough to decide which might best suit your unique qualities. And, with all of the myths that float around about Care – it can be difficult to distinguish one type from another. So, we want it to be as straight-forward for you as possible – below, we’ve listed  many of the different types of Care, with a simple description of what each one is. 

 

Supported Living

Supported Living allows the people supported to have a home of their own with support to maximise their independance. Working in Supported Living will often entail supporting people with learning disabilities, mental health issues, autism or multiple support needs. There are also supported living schemes for retired and elderly residents. Their housing and support is built around them, rather than them fitting into a particular service or type of home.

As a Supported living Care or Support Worker you will:

  • Encourage service users to maximise their independence, and provide support to enable this.
  • Assist with tasks including budgeting, joining or developing social groups, and communicating with others locally.
  • Getting involved with activities at home and in the community, that the person supported enjoys doing.

Want to find out more? Look at what The Fremantle Trust says about Supported Living.

 

 

 

Learning Disabilities

Approximately 1.4 million people in the UK have a learning disability. A learning disability affects the way a person learns and deals with things in all areas of life. People whose learning disability is mild often learn to speak, read and write. However, people whose learning disability is more severe may need higher levels of support.

Community-based services for people with a Learning Disability provide care, treatment and support, in the community, for people with a learning disability. They help people to live as independently as possible, manage their condition and improve it where this is possible. There are also residential-based services that care for people with a more acute learning disability.

As a Learning Disability Care or Support Worker you will:

  • Need to understand how a person’s behaviour may change – for example if they are tired, hungry or unwell – they may not always communicate this using words.
  • Need to understand and receive training on how to deal with a specific health needs – for example epilepsy, or autism.
  • Be confident communicating with family members in order to understand the service users behaviours.

Want to find out more? Look at what Ambient say about Learning Disability Care.

 

Elderly Care

Elderly care is the fulfilment of the special needs and requirements that are unique to older people. It includes a wide range of services that are provided to people who need help to perform daily activities.

These types of care can include rehabilitative therapies, skilled nursing care, palliative (end of life) care, and social services, as well as supervision and a wide range of supportive personal care (which might include washing and bathing).

Elderly care can be provided at home, in the community, or in various types of facilities, including assisted living facilities, care and nursing homes.

Residential care homes provide accommodation and personal care, such as help with washing, dressing, taking medicines and activities such as day trips. Some care homes are larger than others and range in the level of care needs depending on the residents who live there.

Why not take a look at The Fremantle Trust or Avante Care & Support if you are interested in working in residential care.

 

 

 

Mental Health

When working in the field of Mental Health, you are helping people to recover from mental illness by providing a broad range of interventions that reflect the psychological, social and physical needs of the individual. This may include providing care, treatment and support to people, subject to supervised community treatment under the Mental Health Act.


Substance Misuse

Substance misuse is defined as the harmful use of substances (such as drugs and alcohol) for non-medical purposes. The term “substance misuse” generally refers to illegal drugs. However, legal substances can also be misused – for example, alcohol, prescription medication, caffeine and nicotine.

Substance misuse services are typically provided in the community for people who misuse substances. 

As a Substance Misuse worker you will:

  • Help service users to access healthcare, counselling and education.
  • Provide counselling and support, and assist with dealing with the causes of the substance misuse.
  • Help address immediate needs such as accommodation.
  • Carry out risk assessments and design care plans and programmes.

Want to find out more? Discover what the National Careers Service says about the role of a Substance misuse outreach worker 

 

Children and Young People

Children and young people in care should expect to have the same opportunities as other children and young people, including being healthy and safe. They should be provided with the opportunities needed to help them move successfully to adulthood.

The needs of children and young people vary, but are often complex, and can be met only by a range of services operating together across different settings.

This includes services that provide:

    • Specialised Education
    • Day Centres
    • Residential Care with Education
    • Residential and Nursing Care
    • Emotional Behavioural Disorder (EBD) Care

Working in Children’s Services might involve supporting children in a residential setting or providing mentoring and guidance when needed. Why not check out Break Charity and the services they provide to Children here: http://www.break-charity.org/

 

Nursing Care

Nursing homes provide personal care but also have qualified Nurses available. Some nursing homes offer services for people that may need more care and support. For example, people with severe learning or physical disabilities or complex neurological conditions.

In a role as a Nurse, you’re responsible for the promotion of health; prevention of any illness, and; care of physically ill, mentally ill, and disabled people of all ages, in all healthcare and other community settings.

Providing Care as a Nurse can take place in any environment – whether that be in the person’s home; a Care Home, or; anywhere else.

To become a Nurse, you must possess a certain level of qualification, and be authorised to practice by the appropriate regularly authority. Many care providers who offer Nursing services will support you in obtaining your qualifications and training.