Personal care
In spite of the fact that Lifestyle Support Workers play an important part in the lives of individuals with disabilities, their role is often misunderstood and undervalued. At the same time, it is a unique relationship because unlike the usual employer / employee relationship, the employer is unusually dependent on the employee.
Also, the individual with the disability wears various hats in this relationship. When this relationship is developed and a proper balance has been maintained the relationship is beneficial to both employer / employee.
The following is aimed at giving a clear understanding of the role and work of Lifestyle Support Workers:
Lifestyle Support Worker
A Lifestyle Support Worker is someone who provides a means of independent living to people with disabilities. In practical terms, Lifestyle Support Workers provide assistance with everyday tasks which a person without a disability would be doing for themselves. This means assisting a person with tasks that they find extremely difficult and/or time consuming because of their disability. This may include assisting a person to access the wider community in order for them to exercise their basic rights, choose lifestyle options and participate in community living.
Personal care work
Personal care involves assisting the person with the most intimate aspects of their personal care and hygiene. This normally includes undressing/dressing, toileting, showering and grooming. In addition, assistance with other tasks such as meal preparation and eating may also be required.
General housekeeping tasks such as cleaning, washing, ironing, dusting and other household duties under the direction of the person with a disability are usually included in the role of a Lifestyle Support Worker. Assistance with shopping, banking, bill paying, recreational activities and appointments can be all part of the role.
My personal ideas of what makes a good Lifestyle Support Worker are:
- The ability to relate well and work closely with all types of people.
- The ability to look beyond the disability and see the person.
- The ability to respect the person with whom they are working.
- A high level of verbal communication skills to communicate with me, my family and others whom I may encounter.
- Keep clean personal habits.
- Dress appropriately (clean and tidy).
- Be attentive, punctual, reliable and flexible.
- Need to have reliable transport and telephone.
- Be open minded / non-judgemental.
- Be able to follow directions as well as work independently.
- The ability to work efficiently to complete the duties within the allocated rostered time.
- The ability to maintain open and honest communication.
- To respect my privacy and confidentiality.
- Maintain confidentiality and behave in a professional manner.
- Ability to follow my company policies and procedures.
Lifestyle Support Workers have the right to:
- Be treated with respect.
- Be given constructive feedback.
- Be informed of expected tasks within a reasonable time-frame.
- Express reasonable concerns regarding work conditions.
- Express feelings about work expectations and / or health and safety concerns that may arise.
- Expect privacy and confidentiality.
- Further training and / or clarification regarding employment or tasks.
Would you like to know more about being a Lifestyle Support Worker with TLB Assistance Pty Ltd?