May 2024: Survey of frontline domiciliary carers uncovers key reasons behind good and bad days in homecare.
74% of shifts in homecare end with carers feeling ‘very happy’, according to a new survey of frontline homecare workers. Smooth shifts and rewarding client relationships together accounted for 90% of homecare visits where a carer finished feeling ‘very happy’.
The survey of over 2,000 domiciliary carers, found the joy of care work and satisfaction in a job well done were the main criteria for a happy day at work.
Fulfilling relationships and successes with clients were behind 42% of happy shifts. Care workers reported enjoying their day when they got along with the people they were caring for, as well as feeling satisfaction when they achieved something new, such as helping someone to go outside for the first time in a long time.
Another 48% of ‘very happy’ shifts were reported simply as a good day at work - things went smoothly and all was well.
Other reasons included supportive colleagues or management (6%), well organised rotas and minimal travel time (3%), and learning opportunities (1%).
The survey was conducted by Nursebuddy, a homecare software provider, who gathered the data from its in-app carer wellbeing survey. Domiciliary care workers using the app are prompted to rate how they feel at the end of each shift, and leave a comment explaining why. Nursebuddy analysed the comments to identify the key themes behind why carers report feeling happy or sad when they finish work for the day.
Working conditions - such as long and tiring days and stressful packed rotas - were singled out as the primary reason why carers finished their shifts feeling unhappy.
Asked what homecare businesses can learn from the findings, co-founder of Nursebuddy, Simo Hännikkälä said: “Our recommendations to homecare companies based on the data we collected, and feedback from our customers, are to think of the opportunities you have: are there some obvious challenges that you want to fix or do you want to build on your strengths?
“If you want to add more happy days for your carers, try to make sure they have as many positive experiences with clients as possible. Make sure they are well-matched, and help them get to know their clients on a personal level - things like their favourite food or TV series. Simple but meaningful things like that.”
A full copy of the Carer Wellbeing Report 2024 can be downloaded from: https://nursebuddy.co/carerwellbeing
