The Caring Self within a Context of Increasing Rationalisation: The Enduring Importance of Clients for Home Care Aides

Abstract

The current political economy imposes cost-saving rationalisation within home care work. In this context, a key question is whether home care aides act with indifference to clients or whether home care aides continue to espouse and act out of the caring self, which centres on the desire to give meaningful care to clients. This article assesses the thesis of the caring self within a context of rationalisation in relation to home care aides in three organisations. The article brings qualitative and quantitative research to bear on this question. It finds that despite the processes of rationalisation occurring in home care work, home care aides’ overall satisfaction with client relations, and their ability to satisfy clients continue to have significant links to their job satisfaction, and discretionary effort. This offers support for the thesis of the caring self within the context of rationalisation.