There are few things more crucial to a family than being able to look after one another. The old look after the young, and the young look after the old. Things have started to change in recent times. More couples are sharing the weight of parenthood than ever before. Both sides of a household are more likely to work, especially in the South West. While this enables people to live fulfilling lives, providing a good upbringing for their children. Also, limit the time people have to look after their older relatives.
Care facilities used to be able to bear this burden. The number of 85-year-olds in need of care is expected to increase to about 2.7 million by 2040. Plenty of younger people also require this support, the strain on these services is too much for them to cope with. In many cases, this strain is placed directly on the shoulders of the people on the frontline. Care workers are regularly subjected to unfair overtime rules, zero-hour contracts, and little in the way of career progression.
This is something you can overcome with your own career. Pinnacle Business Finance is here to help you. While this is mostly geared towards those in the South West, it can also apply to other regions. First, though, let’s take a look at the cause of these problems.
The Problem With Care In The South West
Anyone who has had the pay the price of care will tell you, this sort of service doesn’t come cheap. Those who can’t afford to pay for their own care will often get help from their local council. Although if you are unlucky enough to have a home or savings when you go into care, this could be taken to cover the costs. This is thanks to strict budgeting constraints that have been placed on this sector. Councils only being able to afford to pay for care for those in the greatest need.
While some people are paying for the care they receive, this money barely covers the costs of a care home. This means that these places are usually understaffed, with the gaps being filled by agency workers on zero-hour contracts. Training is also an area in which a lot of care homes and other support facilities struggle. Of course, though, with some county and district councils being threatened with bankruptcy, it’s hard to see how this is going to improve. Instead, more and more of the care homes which used to be government-owned are being placed under private possession.
When a place like this is privatised, it will usually still receive money from the government. The shareholders which own the business will want to save some profit out of this. The management of the company will also receive bonuses. Between 2017 and 2018, the Department of Health and Social Care had a budget of £125.15 billion. Just £15.32 billion of this is being saved for things not under the NHS banner. This may sound like a lot, but it is a tiny amount considering that it has to cover so many areas.
So, in short, the government can’t afford to provide the care people desperately need, but they also can’t be seen not to be giving it. This means that the weight of the short budgets will always fall onto the shoulders of hard-working carers. Whether you work for an agency or directly under a care facility, you’ve probably felt the cuts in recent times, but we’re here to offer a solution.
Using Domiciliary Care
There is a huge demand for private care at the moment. Depending on the area, some of those in need have to wait for months or even years before they can access the care they need. Around 15% of people aged between 65 – 69 find at least one daily activity difficult. This is a huge demographic on its own, and this is before you consider the other age groups which need daily support.
By working as a self-employed domiciliary care worker in the South West, you can bring the care people to need straight to their door. This can make their life a lot more comfortable, whether they have decades left in them or are at the end of their life, and you can make a very good career in the process. There are several different types of domiciliary care;-
- Live-in Carers: Live-in carers will stay in the home of their service user. Usually spending one week at work, followed by a week off. This cycle will continue with two or three carers and is only for those who need the most stringent support.
- Daytime Carers: Daytime carers will stay in the home of their service user during the daytime. Providing them with the company, personal care, and making sure that they are safe and sound. This sort of role will follow hours similar to a normal job.
- Short Visit Carers: Some people only need help with a few things each day, and many people like to limit the care they receive as much as possible. Performing short visits can enable you to have more service users, making your job more secure.
You don’t have to restrict yourself to one of these areas. You can do all of them at different times if you like. Each of these options offers a good hourly rate. Working for yourself will give you freedom. to request a higher wage than you’d get working for a big company. You won’t have to deal with the overheads of a big business. This enables you to get paid more without having to overcharge the vulnerable people you work with. Alongside this, you will also gain the benefits which come with working for yourself. Rather than a company trying to make a profit from you.
How Can Pinnacle Business Finance In The South West Help?
As a financial broker working with businesses of all types. Pinnacle Business Finance is well-placed in the South West to support you on your journey. Our expert team can help you to get started with your business. Whilst also helping you with the financial side of things.
A business loan will give you the chance to get set up. Potentially with a professional website, some business cards, and all of the equipment you will need. Invoice finance will make it easier to cover the recurring costs of things like wages. Growing a business always requires some investment. We understand that this can be difficult to muster when you’ve been working in the care industry. No matter your circumstances, we will always do as much as we can to support you. We encourage anyone thinking of a career change like this to get in contact with us.
