As a wise man once said, “There is nothing greater than to do something for others.” And this statement couldn’t be more true for those working as personal support workers.
Personal support workers help the elderly, the chronically ill, and people with physical disabilities to better navigate their daily lives. It’s one of the most rewarding careers out there, and promises high job satisfaction, variety, and opportunity for personal growth.
If you’re a people person who enjoys helping others andwant a career that’s more than just a job, becoming a personal support worker could be for you.
Read on to discover what makes being a personal support worker so rewarding.
Form Meaningful Relationships During Your Personal Support Worker Career
If you’re considering personal support worker courses, it’s likely that you are a sociable person who values your relationships with others. As a personal support worker,you will quickly learn how to empathize and help those who need it most.
Personal support workers don’t just provide practical assistance, they offer emotional support and company. According to the Canadian Census, almost 25% of seniors aged 65 and above live alone with no family or friends. Living alone greatly increases the risk of social isolation, which in turn can affect sleep and appetite, and increase the risk of dementia, depression, and mortality as serious health issues can go undetected.
Company, social interaction and even friendship can be some of the most valuable things that personal support workers can offer.Whereas nurses, doctors and other healthcare professionals may not feel they have the time to spend actually socializing with patients, part of the role of a personal support worker is to do just that. You will be able to learn from your patients, hear their stories, and form meaningful connections.
Make a Difference in the Life of Another
After you complete your healthcare courses and begin your career,you will learn that no day is the same. Because the profession is all about people, you can never predict what challenges you will face that day and how you will overcome then.
Personal support workers help people to carry out the tasks of daily living like getting dressed and eating meals. Empowering others to make their own choices and live independently can be incredibly rewarding.
Not only do these experiences make a difference to the lives of others, but they will also impact your own life. Working as a personal support worker can give you a completely fresh perspective, helping you to appreciate your own independence and be grateful for what you have.
Helping others requires the ability to be selfless, and you will find that you continue to grow and change every day.
Give Back to the Community
If you ask a personal support worker why they chose to go into this profession, many of them will say that they wanted to ‘give something back to the community’. Caring for vulnerable members of society can give you a sense of purpose as you help others in the community.
You can also choose the community you want to work in. Demand for personal support workers is increasing across Canada as baby boomers near retirement age. As a result, a career as a personal support worker can give you the freedom to live and work anywhere, as there is demand in cities, towns, and rural areas.
As well as this, personal support workers can work in nursing homes, retirement homes, hospitals, private home care, or work with agencies, so there is plenty of room to find a position that suits you.
Think a personal support worker career is for you? Contact Canadian Business College to find out more.