Caregivers have many roles, including working as home health aides and companions for senior citizens, the disabled and children. If you are interested in working as a caregiver for a home health care or hospice agency, you must first receive formal training and pass a standardized test. The Bureau of Labor Statistics, or BLS, has shown the employment outlook for 2010 to 2020 to be above average when compared with other occupations, good news for those interested in working as professional caregivers.
Personal Care
One of the most important aspects of working as a caregiver is to provide assistance to the client while allowing him to retain his dignity. This personal care may include helping the client in and out of a bath tub, dressing, or assisting the client in the bathroom.
Transportation and Escort
Caregivers may transport and escort their clients to medical appointments, physical therapy, the beauty shop, or when they grocery shop. The caregiver may also run errands for her clients if the clients are unable to get out of the house due to illness or physical limitations.
Housekeeping
Although most caregivers do perform housekeeping duties, the services that they provide are generally determined by the agency that they work for. As an example, the caregivers of one agency may only perform light housekeeping duties, such as dusting and vacuuming, while another agency’s services may encompass everything from cleaning the bathrooms and mopping floors to performing small amounts of yard work.
Medication
In some states, caregivers are legally allowed to dispense medication and check vital signs if they are under the direction of a nurse or other health-care practitioner. Those who do not give out medications, however, can remind their clients that the medication is due and may assist them in refilling their prescriptions online or by phone.
