14/08/2026
When people call us “bum wipers,” they don’t see the emotional side of what we do. 🩷
Being a carer is so much more than washing someone, helping them use the toilet, changing pads or making sure they’ve eaten.
We are there when someone is at their most vulnerable. We hold hands when they’re scared. We listen when they need someone to talk to. We notice the little changes. We give reassurance, comfort and dignity.
And when it comes to end-of-life care, we are often there for some of the most heartbreaking and precious moments a family will ever experience.
We help keep someone comfortable. We sit beside them when there are no more words. We hold their hand. We support their family. We listen to stories about their life. We help them feel safe and respected as they approach the end.
Yes, caring can involve cleaning up bodily fluids, changing pads and doing jobs that aren’t glamorous. But that is not all we do.
We see people laugh, cry, struggle, recover, deteriorate and sometimes take their final breath.
We carry the emotional weight of this work too.
So before you call us “bum wipers,” remember that behind every task is a human being who has chosen to care for another human being — often when they need compassion the most.
We are not just there to clean people.
We are there to care. To comfort. To protect dignity. To listen. And sometimes, to hold someone’s hand until the very end. 🩷
Please show carers a little respect. You never know how much they are carrying behind the scenes. 🩷
