Skegby home carer shares glimpse into her daily routine during the pandemic

Andrea Riddoch, from Skegby, is one of the many unsung heroes who visit the homes of elderly and vulnerable people in Mansfield everyday.

Despite the challenges of the virus, the 48-year-old mum of two teenage sons, says her caring role gives her “immense personal and job satisfaction.”

Andrea, originally from Nottingham, has been a carer for 10 years and has worked for the Your Home Care group at Mansfield Woodhouse for six months.

Andrea’s working hours are quite flexbile, she can work from 7am until 3pm on a morning shift or 3pm-10pm on an evening. She regularly works up to 30 hours and every other weekend.

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She describes her typical day.

Andrea said: “I usually wake up at about 5.30am, after a snooze, and then some Weetabix, I get up and prepare my sons’ packed lunches, check they have everything they need.

"Apart from being a busy mum, I’m a key worker so my children go to school everyday. In the morning, I watch a bit of TV, listen to Piers Morgan, he is my guilty pleasure! I hear the latest on Covid 19, whilst dressing in smart casual clothes and put on my ID.

“My first client is at about 7.15am. She lives with dementia, and greets me with a lovely smile. It’s wonderful to see, when all around there are so many sad stories.

“I wear my PPE rubber gloves, mask and apron, and if I’m providing my client with personal care, a full face visa. It can be hard trying to speak to people from behind the mask, especially if they are a little hard of hearing.

“It can be bewildering for an elderly person, having people with masks coming to them. It's hard to smile from behind a mask, I try and smile with my eyes and do a lot of thumbs up signals.

“At first it was a worry being on the Covid frontline, going about our business in people’s homes. I am not worried now. We are supplied with equipment and we take precautions to protect our clients and ourselves. Every week we do a Covid test and I have had the vaccination. It was brilliant. I can’t fault Kings Mill.

“My first job is to check in by phone. I make my client’s breakfast, and assist her with personal care whilst helping her choose something nice to wear. It’s that personal touch, that is caring.

“We wash and dry pots together and we sing, she enjoys whistles and hums along, singing always makes her happy! I like to include my clients in daily tasks, it helps make them still feel useful and doesn’t take their lives away from them.

“When my tasks are completed and I check she has everything she needs and leave, her little dog is sat beside her. I then hop back into my car knowing that I’ve helped someone, and sanitise my hands once again. We’ve wash our hands so many times since the pandemic, they got red raw at first but they are toughened to it now.

“My next visit is a lovely lady. I’m dressed again in PPE. I go in to her home to get her up, and to the bathroom. She always asks me “What’s the weather doing today, Andrea?” which always makes me smile! It is those human interactions, that are so important, it’s not just about the tasks.

“I make sure the bed is made, and put the washer on. I get to know my client well, I know her favourite breakfast is marmalade on toast with a coffee.

“It makes me feel happy to see clients eating and drinking. We are able to reassure the families who have not been able to see their relatives. I prepare her medications and make sure she isn’t running low on anything. Then after signing off my tasks and making notes, I have a little time to sit and natter

“I hear some fascinating stories, one client loved to tell me about life in the pits, working with the pit ponies. You hear some interesting tales.

“I enjoy looking at my clients pictures with her. Before I go, I make sure she has her phone, her make-up bag and everything she needs.”

Andrea added: "I go home to enjoy time with my sons, Ben and Sam, and my partner Gary Brailsford. My work is rewarding, it gives me great satisfaction knowing that I have made a difference. I always do my best to bring a bit of joy to their lives.

"I’d encourage people to become a carer. I wish I had done it sooner.”

Scott Marsh, co-founder and director at Your Home Care, said: “We’re incredibly proud of our front-line care professionals and what they do day in, day out. Putting their lives at risk and making our communities a safer place for vulnerable people.

"They are nothing short of superheroes only they don’t have a cape. We are living in very challenging times which is putting pressure on businesses that they have never experienced before especially the Health and Social Care Sector.

"Our business has incredible care professionals who make a difference on the front-line, we proudly support them. Thankfully we have high stocks of PPE, regular staff training, weekly testing, and everyone follows our high standards of health and hygiene.

“I thank them for being amazing in the face of adversity, for keeping our loved ones safe, and having faith this pandemic will one day be over.”

For more information on Your Home Care call 01623 375275 see www.YourHomeCare.co.uk

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