• Understanding Caregiving

 

 

There are an estimated 3.5 million home health aides and personal care assistants in the U.S., a number that’s projected to rise dramatically over the next decade. And although jobs are plentiful, it takes a special kind of person to make home care their chosen profession. A good caregiver must have several qualities, starting with a willingness to make a difference in the lives of those they serve. If you are considering a career in the exciting home care industry, these are the most important caregiver qualifications that potential employers look for.  

What is a Caregiver?

A caregiver is someone who offers support to the aged or those with disabilities or special needs. Caregiving responsibilities may include companionship, daily care, homemaking, meals, personal care, and even medical assistance (home health care aide). These various caregiver demands require different training levels depending on which role you choose.

Where Do Caregivers Work?

While serving in various capacities within the healthcare system, you may see paid caregivers working in private homes, rehab facilities, assisted living communities, outpatient clinics, nursing homes, and hospitals.

The reasons why someone would want to become a caregiver are as varied as the individuals themselves. Since the job market is robust for caregivers, finding the right job in the community you want should be relatively easy once you are ready.

What Does an In-Home Caregiver Do?

If you are passionate about a career in home care, you’ll need to know what a professional caregiver does in more detail. These are some of the more common duties that you will be asked to perform while serving in the role of in-home caregiver:

Personal Care

• Assistance with hygiene
• Bathing
• Grooming and dressing
• Transferring and ambulation assistance
• Incontinence care

Companionship

• Recreational activities
• Sort and read mail
• Entertainment
• Incidental transportation
• Religious reading and reminders
• Discuss current and historical events
• Escort to appointments
• Behavioral assistance to improve overall emotional wellbeing and quality of life

Homemaking Services

• Light housekeeping
• Laundry
• Running errands
• Grocery shopping
• Meal planning and preparation
• Medication reminders
• Changing bed linens
• Vacuuming

What Qualities Do Good Caregivers Share?

Becoming a professional caregiver requires specific skills, passion, and a commitment to serving clients cheerfully even when you are having a bad day.

In general, qualities of a good caregiver include:

• Willingness to put others first
• A cheerful, loving heart
• Dedication
• Flexibility
• A respectful and supportive demeanor
• Teachability
• Good communication skills

In addition to these characteristics, caregivers must also be physically fit and in good health because of all the client lifting and transporting that they may be asked to do.

“Cream of the crop” in-home caregivers also possess these skills:

• An understanding of different client needs
• The ability to function well in a private home setting
• A firm grasp of home safety
• An understanding of how to manage the day-to-day responsibilities of home

 

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