Official Review: Trust me I’m a care worker

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Kelebogile Mbangi
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Official Review: Trust me I’m a care worker

Post by Kelebogile Mbangi »

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Trust me I’m a care worker" by Christopher Bulteel.]
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4 out of 4 stars
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Trust Me I'm a Care Worker is a non-fiction book by Christopher Bulteel. This humorous book contains extracts from a care assistant's diary. It offers its readers a glimpse into the life of a care worker in the UK. Bulteel lays out what is involved in administering care to the elderly, disabled, and those afflicted with various mental diseases. He manages to relate his experiences in a way that is both entertaining and memorable.

Christopher "Chris" Bulteel has been in the catering industry all his life. When his catering career abruptly ends, 53-year-old Chris boldly ventures into an unexpected new form of employment and becomes a care worker. His new line of work involves making house calls and looking after patients whilst their primary caregivers take a well-deserved break. At the start of his new career, one particular experience gives him the realisation that he can make a real difference in the lives of his patients. He meets George who has been diagnosed with clinical depression, anxiety, and short-term memory loss. Initially, George is grumpy and openly rude. It is only after two weeks of endurance on Chris' part that they finally share an intimate moment. Chris draws George out of his muddled mind and reminds him of a past that he can be proud of. This moment of success serves as an affirming sign for Chris that he has indeed chosen the right career path. Chris goes on to share the rest of his experiences and his other patients. Many of these patients face difficulties with an unbreakable spirit that inspires admiration!

The book contains just over forty different experiences or stories. Each of the stories have their own significance and contribute beautifully to the book as a whole. Some stories were wildly hilarious and others were of a more serious nature. The more sombre experiences taught me the importance of treating the elderly and disabled with respect and love.

The characters are memorable. Allow me the liberty of introducing you to one of my favourite characters, Edith. Edith is well into her late nineties or could possibly even be in her early hundreds. She comes from a much more genteel era and is a lady in every sense of the word. During one of Chris' visits, she has a fall and (to her great dismay) an "extreme rush of air from her backside" escapes. Poor Edith spends the rest of the afternoon moving the furniture around in an attempt to reproduce the sound of the offending fart, hoping to find a scapegoat to pin the blame on. I died from laughter upon reading this experience. The book contains many more characters, thus, everyone should be able to find that one character that they connect with. However, each character only appears briefly.

What I admire most about the author is that he respects the privacy of his patients and their families. He explains in the introduction how he has changed the names, locations, and in some instances the illnesses of those mentioned within the book. What really impressed me though is that he did not pay back tit for tat by exposing the names of those who wronged him. For example, he did not reveal the name of a supplier that refused to help out with a charity event.

I honestly could not find a thing to dislike about this book. If you are looking for a thrilling page turner, then this might not be the book for you. However, if you would like a book about the quirkiness and beauty to be found in life, then I prompt you to read this book. For a book in its genre, it deserves a perfect score of 4 out of 4 stars.

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Trust me I’m a care worker
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Post by Mercelle »

Lovely review. It is unlikely that taking care of old people and humor go together. I applaud the author for a job well done.
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Post by kandscreeley »

I can't imagine what the author would have to deal with as a care worker. I'm sure he has some interesting stories. Sounds like a nice book. Thanks for the review.
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Post by Uinto »

Feels like a humorous book while incorporating the care of our senior citizens. Thanks for an enjoyable review.
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Post by Abodunrin »

i love the fact that Chris found purpose in his career, seeing is career as a platform to affect lifes. I alos appreciate your review would love to read the book
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Post by adol busran »

i must praise the author for sharing his life with the readers out there.reality of life which is bitter for some and sweet for the others is true yet he turned those into something that could make us smile.
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Post by gali »

A nonfiction book offering a glimpse into the life of a care worker sounds intriguing. Well done to the author for relating his experiences in an entertaining way, keeping the privacy of his patients while at it. It is great that he made a real difference in the lives of his patients. Thank you for the review!
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Post by Eniefiok »

I which I can find a perfect career just like chris, the book is really amazing it reminds me of a movie I once wacth a long time ago although I can't remember the title. Great review I must say.
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Post by Yoli García »

I am glad Chris was able to find meaning in his career by reaching his patient who suffered from mental illness. Sounds like a good book to raise awareness about the elderly, disabled, and those who suffer from mental illness. Thanks for the review.
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Post by tamdlyte »

The author/caretaker sounds like a wonderful human being. I wish that all caretakers of the elderly and disabled could view their patients with the same humanity and dignity and humor that this review illustrates in the author's experiences.
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Post by rusyalana »

I'm not sure this book is for me though the way the author changed his life and the job he did caring about other people is very amazing.
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Post by Rajanis »

Life of a caregiver is challenging and stressful as he has to deal with old people, mentally challenged and the disabled. Chris decides to make a difference in their lives and treat them with respect. He has encountered many hilarious experiences which he has shared in this book. Sounds fun to read. Thanks for the review.
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Post by MsTri »

I'm preeetty sure this isn't my kind of book, but thanks for the review.
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Post by kate_nguyen »

Non-fiction books are always hard to read for me but this one is very refreshing. The careworker subject is new to me and I might enjoy its forty different experiences or stories.
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Post by ladycraic »

Thanks for the review! I laughed right with you when I read your short excerpt on Edith! If there will be more encounters like that in Trust me, I'm a Careworker, then I don't see why I shouldn't read. Throw in the fact that readers get a glimpse into the life of someone who works with others' and their problems for a living...I can really relate to the author as I am on my way to becoming a child psychiatrist. I'm excited to read, laugh, and learn.
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