Thinking of a career in elderly care? Here’s what you should know

There’s no doubt about it, the UK has an ageing population. This is why a career in elderly care will be a good choice for those interested because the future say so.

In 2021, 278,946 people aged 65 and older lived in care homes in England and Wales. That made up 82.1% of all care home residents.

Even though the number of care home beds in England went down a little, from 463,765 in 2022 to 461,958 in 2023, the need for care is still growing. The social care sector is growing quickly, with an estimated need for half a million more workers by 2035. This is according to the NHS Website.

If you’re interested in providing care for the elderly, the good news is that you’ll rarely struggle to find work.

However, you may be wondering:

• what qualifications you’ll need,
• what sort of roles are available to you, and
• what a typical day might be like.

There are hundreds of different elderly care roles out there, in a variety of different industries. Each elderly home requires different levels of knowledge and skills to get the job done.

While the options available offer some fantastic career opportunities, picking the right field can seem a little overwhelming at first. Working with elderly people is one such specialist role that not only requires a level of technical skill, but certain personal attributes, too.

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Table of contents (click to open)

Table of contents

• Reasons for opportunities in elderly care
• Types of Roles in Elderly Care Homes
• Choosing the right role in elderly care
• Skills Needed
• Am I a good fit for an elderly career role?
• What sorts of traits do you need to work with the elderly?
• Are there any benefits to working in elderly care?
• What qualifications do you need to become a carer?
• Elder Care Courses at Caring For Care
• Career Progression
• Training and Support
• Conclusion

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Reasons for opportunities in elderly care

Whatever your reasons for considering a career in elderly care, it is vital to understand what’s involved before taking on such a position.

Many individuals begin careers in elderly care without knowing exactly what’s involved. While it may seem easy from the outside looking in, the work itself can cover a wide range of physically and emotionally demanding duties that can take their toll.

That said, providing care to the one of society’s most vulnerable groups of people can be an incredibly rewarding experience. It comes with much to gain from not only the work, but colleagues and clients too.

In the below article, we provide a comprehensive guide on what you can expect from a career in care, from in-home roles to those in care homes and even hospitals.

So, whether you’re new to the role or are a seasoned professional, here’s everything you need to know about working with the elderly.

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Types of Roles in Elderly Care Homes

There are many different jobs in elderly care, including:

• Care Worker or Home Care Assistant: Helping older adults with personal care, daily tasks, and providing company in their homes.
• Specialist Care Assistant: Working with a team to provide care for people who have just come out of hospital.
• Senior Care Worker: Leading and managing care teams.
• Care Coordinator: Planning care schedules and making sure everything follows the rules.
• Social Worker: Helping people solve problems and improve their lives.
• Occupational Therapist: Helping older adults stay independent by improving their daily skills.
• Nurses and Nursing Assistants: Giving medical care.

There are also support roles like HR, marketing, and finance, as well as jobs like cook, housekeeper, or maintenance worker.

Our focus here will be the care roles available in elderly homes across the UK.

Choosing the right role in elderly care

Like most industries, there are a wide variety of roles to choose from when considering a career in elderly care. It could be voluntary work supporting vulnerable individuals.

Also, it could be providing care within a residential home.

• Each role requires a certain level of skill. Furthermore, each skill will have varying levels of ‘hands on’ activities depending on the area in which you specialise.

To give you a better idea of the types of tasks associated with each role, we’ve put together a quick guide below.

Home care assistant

There are hundreds of thousands of elderly people in the UK. They require a little extra help with day-to-day tasks, like getting ready, washing and cooking. Home care assistants do just that.

They offer in-home help with a variety of daily tasks for those who may not feel ready for live-in care or moving to a care home.

In addition, Home care assistants play a key part in helping thousands of people stay in their homes for longer, boosting mental health, independence and happiness.

The general duties required of a home care assistant can vary hugely depending on the needs of the individual. Some example tasks are:

• Personal care: things like using the toilet, dressing, washing and bathing fall into this category.
• Mealtimes: you’ll likely be expected to help elderly individuals prepare meals, and perhaps cook and serve up for them. Some frailer people may expect help with eating, too.
• Medication: it is likely you’ll need to help with the planning and administering of any medication, ensuring medication is taken safely and to schedule.

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Support worker

Support workers provide general support to a wide variety of individuals, not just the elderly. You may find as a support worker you’ll be working with young people, those with mental health issues and even learning difficulties.

Much like the home care assistant, a support worker’s role is to provide day to day support to those who need a little extra help, both emotionally and physically.

In regards to support work for the elderly, typical tasks may involve:

• Housework: supporting the elderly by performing basic housework duties like cleaning, laundry and cooking. This may extend to doing a food shop and running errands depending on the needs of the individual.
• Mobility: getting out and about can be a real challenge for older people. You may be required to assist in trips out and social events.

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Care home worker

Many of the duties performed by a care home worker are similar to that of a support worker and home care assistant – as a care home worker, you’ll be assisting the elderly with basic tasks like getting ready, washing and eating.

However, with care home work, you’ll likely be expected to carry out more demanding work.

Those who are in care homes tend to be individuals requiring extra care. Care home workers are often trained to offer palliative care to the disabled.

Typical duties of support in care include:

• Support with personal care: care home residents will need additional support with personal care, so expect more demanding work.
• Managing medication: You’ll need to help give medication (starting with a Level 2 medication administration course) and manage medical appointments. Some doctors’ offices and hospitals may also need you to go with the elderly to their appointments.
• Emotional support: making the transition from home to residential care can be a scary and unsettling time. As part of your role as care home worker, you’ll be expected to provide emotional support and respect for those struggling to adapt to their new surroundings.

Skills Needed

Key skills for working in elderly care include:

• Kindness and understanding: Being caring and compassionate.
• Good at talking and listening: Being able to speak clearly and listen well.
• Dependability and following instructions: Being reliable and doing what you’re told.
• Understanding others’ feelings: Knowing and respecting how others feel.
• Patience and flexibility: Staying calm and adjusting when things change.

Keep these soft skills in mind.

Am I a good fit for an elderly career role?

While many of the day to day duties required of care workers can be learned on the job, one of the biggest questions to ask yourself when considering a job in care is whether you’d be a good fit.

Caring for an elderly person can be stressful and demanding, so it’s important to consider every aspect of the role before taking the plunge. One of the most important aspects of any caring role is to have a genuine passion for others’ wellbeing.

Working with old people, while rewarding, can be very tough. Having a genuine enthusiasm for care and an interest in the wellbeing of the elderly are a must to do well in any care role.

When interviewing for any care job, qualifications may be discussed.

One thing you can expect, however, is to be asked ‘why you?’. Before attending the interview write down all the reasons that make you a fantastic candidate to care for the elderly.

What sorts of traits do you need to work with the elderly?

Key Skills for Working with the Elderly

• Patience and understanding: Elderly people may move slowly, have trouble hearing or remembering, or need more time to do things. Being patient and understanding is important.
• Good communication: Speaking clearly, making eye contact, and using simple language helps the elderly understand and feel heard.
• Flexibility: Every elderly person is different, with unique needs and preferences. It’s important to be able to adjust how you help based on the individual.
• Attention to detail: Watching for changes in health, mood, or behaviour is important to spot any issues early.
• Compassion and kindness: Treating the elderly with respect and warmth helps build trust and makes them feel comfortable.
• Physical strength: Many elderly people need help with daily tasks, so being physically strong and having good endurance is helpful.
• Problem-solving: Being able to think creatively and find solutions to challenges is key when working with older adults.
• Patience with memory issues: Understanding and being patient with memory loss or confusion is important when caring for the elderly.
• Emotional awareness: Recognising and responding to the elderly person’s emotional needs is important for providing full support.
• Dependability: Being reliable and consistent helps elderly people feel secure and comfortable.

The best caregivers for the elderly have a mix of these skills and are also open to ongoing training and support to keep improving.

Recent statistics uncovered that almost 4m people aged 65 and over live alone, and with many elderly individuals with little to no family members close by, it’s no wonder so many feel isolated. For many, a visit from a carer can be the highlight of their day.

With that in mind, it really is very important to be reliable, punctual and true to your word, as visiting when you say you will can have a big impact on someone’s day.

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Are there any benefits to working in elderly care?

Caring for the elderly is one of the most rewarding jobs you can do. While the feeling of helping others is without doubt the best part of being a carer, there are some other benefits to consider.

Remember, continuous medical training is essential for caregivers who want to provide the best care for older adults. It helps them stay informed, develop their skills, and make a positive impact on the lives of seniors they support.

Flexibility:

if you’re looking for an alternative to the 9 to 5 grind, a job in care might be the perfect answer.

Elderly people need care round the clock, so choosing a career caring for others will mean flexibility in the hours you work.

That said, you may be expected to work some antisocial hours too – expect some late nights and early mornings as well as shift work.

Real qualifications

A common misconception is that you must have qualifications to enter the care profession. For basic, entry-level care roles, no professional qualifications are required.

Most larger care organisations will provide on the job training, however, and there are some fantastic courses available if you wish to specialise.

Courses vary in length and complexity, so do your research to find the right course for your career aspirations and ability.

Variety

When it comes to care, no two days are the same.

You’ll meet people from all walks of life, each with a different story to tell, so there really is never a dull moment in this challenging and rewarding line of work.

You’ll be out and about, too – no staring out of an office window waiting for home time to come!

What qualifications do you need to become a carer?

For many care roles, no specific qualifications are needed. So don’t think it is as long as the image above.

Some positions will require applicants to have grade C or above in the core subjects of maths, science and English, but this isn’t always the case.

That said, it may improve your chances of securing the position if you have some relevant qualifications under your belt.

In more demanding roles, you may find an induction course is necessary to get a basic understanding of what the specific role entails. Topics like moving and handing, medicine administration, confidentiality and personal care will be covered.

If you already work as a carer and are interested in furthering your career. There are plenty of training courses available in a variety of subjects to choose from.

Choosing to undertake extra role-specific qualifications not only will provide invaluable information in order to do your job well;

but will help you stand out from your competition when applying for jobs and boost your confidence, too. Qualifications can vary from basic to more advanced, depending on the job. Many roles offer training while you work or through apprenticeships.

Elder Care Courses at Caring For Care

At Caring for Care, we specialise in providing comprehensive, industry-leading national healthcare training.

Our training is delivered by qualified healthcare professionals with decades of hands-on experience between them. Therefore, you can trust us to provide the very best education in the field.

For most people starting as a carer, the 3-day care certificare training or elearning care certificate training is required to cover the 15 standards of care.

There is a new introduction in 2023, for the Adult Social Care Certificate Training. This comes with a government funding and cover more than what the care certificate covers.

We offer a whole host of training courses to help you achieve your career aspirations.

You can choose from one and two day courses. 

We have experts on subjects like:

• Autism awareness training,
• Bereavement training,
• Dementia Care training,
• Diabetes Awareness and Diabetes Medication Training
• Level 2 Medication Course,
• and Level 3 Medication Course 

Also available are specialist  five day courses covering hot topics like nutrition awareness, stroke awareness and catheter care – there really is something for everyone.

👉Related: Ultimate Guide to becoming a Care Worker in the UK.

Career Progression

There are many opportunities to advance your career in elderly care:

• Specialisation: You can focus on areas like dementia care, palliative care, or working with adults with learning disabilities.
• Leadership roles: You can move up to positions such as care coordinator, care manager, or area care manager.
• Further education: You can gain qualifications like the Care Certificate, Level 2-5 Adult Care Worker certifications, or degrees in nursing or social work.
• Apprenticeships: There are different levels of apprenticeships, from Level 2 Adult Care Worker to Level 5 Leader in Adult Care.

Training and Support

Many care providers, like Abbots Care, offer full training programmes:

• Paid induction training
• Opportunities for further qualifications and specialisations
• Apprenticeship programmes
• Taster events for those thinking about a career in care

The social care sector is growing quickly, with an estimated need for half a million more jobs by 2035.

This growth creates many opportunities for those interested in a career in elderly care, with plenty of options for progression and specialisation.

Conclusion

Hopefully, this guide has given you a better picture of what you could expect from a career in care.

While it may not always be an easy job, it can be incredibly beneficial and rewarding. This accounts for the reason why thousands of people train to be healthcare carers every single year.

The benefits of working with old people go much further than income and career satisfaction. On the job, you’ll work with hundreds of people with interesting stories to tell.

They will provide a fresh perspective on your own way of life. Not to mention you’ll make some great friends, too.

The impact you can have on an elderly person can be life-changing, and make those challenging moments worth it. 

Chat to a specialist

If you’re considering a career in care and would like specialist advice, get in touch today. Our team of elderly care professionals are on hand to answer any questions you may have.

Likewise, our team will also provide further information and clarity on any of the courses you find on our website.

If you’re looking to complete the full five day Care Certificate course, let us know and we’ll book you onto the next available course convenient for you.

We look forward to welcoming you at Caring for Care.