Working with older people
There are lots of social care roles you could do if you want to work with older people, and it can be a very rewarding career.
Older people might have a range of conditions that mean they need care and support. These might include poor mobility, dementia, diabetes, deafness or effects from a stroke.
You could provide a range of support including
- helping someone to manage their money
- assisting someone to attend appointments or services
- assessing the care and support someone needs and putting together a care plan or package
- supporting someone with social activities
- helping with personal care.
You could work in the community, in people’s own homes or in a residential service, such as a day care centre, residential care home or a supported housing scheme.
Here are some of the job roles you could do if you want to work with older people. You can also explore our list of all social care job roles here.
There are lots of opportunities to progress to management level roles.
There are also lots of support roles, such as a HR, marketing or finance worker, and ancillary roles, such as a cook, housekeeper or maintenance worker, that are involved in providing care for people with mental health conditions.
What skills and values do I need?
To work in any social care role you need the right values, behaviours and attitudes.
Read What values do I need to work in social care?
Each job role will require different skills and qualifications, and these can be found by clicking on the job roles above. However, all social care workers require core skills; these include English, number, digital and employability skills, which includes things like team work and the ability to prioritise.
Read What core skills do I need to work in social care?
Have you thought about an apprenticeship?
You might also want to do a social care apprenticeship. This means you gain a qualification, whilst working and earning a wage.
For those new to the sector it’s a great route into social care, or for those already working in a social care role, an apprenticeship could be part of your learning and development.
Find out more about apprenticeships, including live vacancies, here.
Start your career
Find out more about starting your career in adult social care today.