A day in the life of a carer at Windermere

Jay Jeon’s colleagues at our Windermere residence describe her as one of the kindest people there, which is an easy thing to say about someone and a hard thing to earn.

We asked her to write about an ordinary shift. Not the good days or the memorable moments, just the day as it actually goes. What follows is in her own words.

Working at Windermere feels like being part of a family. My day involves supporting residents with personal care, meals, activities and everyday living, but alongside all of that I spend time getting to know people, learning what they prefer and helping them feel at home.

Starting the day

In the morning I help residents with personal care, which depending on the person might mean washing, dressing, grooming or getting ready for breakfast. These are personal routines, so respecting someone’s privacy, dignity and choices matters as much as the task itself.

Some residents need a lot of assistance. Others just need a little encouragement, or simply to be given the time to do things themselves. My job is to provide the support someone needs without taking away the things they can still do.

Mealtimes and the rest of the shift

At mealtimes I help residents get comfortable and assist with eating and drinking where it’s needed. It’s also a good chance to chat, hear how someone is feeling, and make the meal something to enjoy rather than something to get through.

Through the rest of my shift, I help people move around the home, use the bathroom, or settle somewhere comfortable to rest. I pay attention to how everyone seems, and if something has changed, I pass it on to the nursing team so it can be followed up.

Making time for connection

Care is also about companionship. Between the routines I spend time talking with residents, listening to their stories and helping them join in with activities they enjoy. Some people like being part of a group, while others would rather have a quiet conversation or some time to themselves, and getting to know each person is how you learn which.

As a Korean-speaking carer, being able to speak the same language as some of our residents helps me understand their needs, their feelings and their culture more deeply. Familiar words can make it easier for someone to explain what they need, share a memory, or simply enjoy a conversation. Those moments are what create a sense of comfort and belonging, and what makes somewhere feel like home.

Working as a team

I work alongside other carers, nurses and the wider Windermere team, and we share what we know about residents’ needs and preferences, so the support stays consistent through the day and across shifts.

The most rewarding part of this job is knowing I can make a difference to someone’s ordinary day. Whether I’m helping a resident get ready, sitting with them at a meal or just taking the time to listen, every one of those moments is a chance to help someone feel valued, understood and cared for.

If you have ever wondered

Jay’s description is a fair one, including the parts that aren’t glamorous. Care work is practical and it is physical, and a good deal of it is washing, dressing and helping people eat.

What people tend not to expect is the other half of it. Being known by someone and knowing them back. Learning that one resident takes two sugars and another would rather you didn’t ask how they slept. Being the person who notices when something has changed before anyone else does.