Care Giver (Nanny)
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Care Giver (Nanny)
A caregiver is responsible for ensuring the health and well-being of an individual who may not be able to care for themselves. A caregiver for the elderly is the first line of support for their loved ones facing debilitating medical issues. However, unlike professional caregivers, family caregivers often do not receive compensation for their efforts.
Studies show that 17% of children will become a caregiver for a family member at some point in their lives, and the older they are, the more likely this will occur. Additionally, caregiving for the elderly is often the responsibility of spouses and partners, with 29% of adults aged 45 to 64 also performing these services.
Both long-term and short-term elderly caregivers exist, depending on the needs of the care recipient. To meet the needs of your loved one, it is essential to understand the different functions caregivers will undertake to ensure a suitable quality of life for their patients.
What Does a Caregiver Do?
For many, caregiving for the elderly means helping loved ones complete activities of daily living (ADLs). Depending on your loved one, the specific activities of the caregiver will vary. For example, you may not need to cook for your loved one, but you may need to run errands instead. Here are some common examples of what elderly caregivers do:
- Cleaning around the house and other routine maintenance.
- Setting up appointments.
- Cooking for and feeding your loved one.
- Helping with grooming, bathing, using the restroom, and other hygiene-related activities.
- Running errands around town, such as grocery shopping.
- Helping make financial arrangements and payments.
- Assisting in healthcare decisions, making appointments, managing medication, choosing healthcare coverage, etc.
- Ensuring that both mental and physical exercise is taking place.
- Setting up and maintaining social activities and hobbies of interest.
It’s also worth noting that there are many different types of caregivers, and the need is not exclusive to older adults. People of any age may require help with these services due to various health issues.
What Makes a Good Caregiver?
Being a good caregiver takes many different qualifies, including:
- The willingness to sacrifice
- Empathizing for your patient
- Being reliable, consistent, and flexible
- Organizational skills
- Basic healthcare skills like CPR and those specifically related to your patient’s needs
- Housekeeping skills
You don’t need to know everything all at once but understanding some skills off the bat is important. Knowing when and how to delegate tasks that you may not necessarily be as fit for is also important to recognize. Additional help is available, and accessing this help is an important step to better help your loved one.
“A good caregiver, paid or unpaid, will assist with the activities of daily living for their patient and is going to need to have a variety of skills. The top skills a caregiver would need are being able to collaborate and work together with the person they are caring for. Basic first aid, CPR training, and being attentive to the physical and mental needs of their patients are also essential skills,” said Brittany Maluyo, BSN, RN from the Memorial Hermann Health System in Texas.
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While the services a caregiver provides for their patient can vary, each action does the same thing: helps them live a better life. This can be through assisting with healthcare, finances, or any of the previously mentioned functions. All in all, a good caregiver for seniors is there for whatever is needed, even if it means putting their own needs on the back burner.
What Is the Difference Between a Caregiver and a Caretaker?
The qualities of a caregiver may be similar to those of a caretaker. However, the key differences between the two are empathy and emotional investment. While caregivers are usually much more invested in and connected to their patients, caretakers are not. Caretakers are there to help with maintenance tasks, upkeep, and daily tasks.
What Is Required To Be a Caregiver?
If you’re looking to get started, there are several baseline skills every senior caregiver should be aware of. Which includes the following:
- Being in shape is an overlooked skill that proves critical for elderly caregivers. Keeping on top of your own exercise and diet is a surefire way to be prepared for the physical and mental hurdles you’ll face as you care for your loved ones.
- CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) is a life-saving skill that can help not only your patient but anyone during an emergency until professionals can arrive. Notably, seniors are less likely to survive CPR. Depending on health conditions and age, this can be fewer than 2%. Knowing when and how to provide this technique through formal training is critical.
- Cleanliness and organization helps your patient maintain proper hygiene, make their appointments, and sustains a higher quality of life.
- Communication is key in any endeavor. Whether it’s advocating for your loved one with their healthcare team or speaking with your elderly patient, you’re going to need to know how to communicate properly for fewer issues.
- Compassion and empathy are two of the most important characteristics of a caregiver. It affects everything from how you speak, act, and feel. Putting yourself in your loved one’s shoes can help you during the difficult times to take a breath and provide the care they deserve.
- First aid skills help your patient when health issues arise. This can be things such as treating a burn, setting a split, properly stopping them from bleeding, applying a suture or stitch, and even supporting them after a sprain or strain. Always keeping a first aid kit ready is important as they are essential supplies for a caregiver, but only apply skills you’ve received training on.
- Flexibility and patience are necessary as caregiving for the elderly is a major change for households. You’ll need to change your lifestyle to adjust to your responsibilities and have patience when things aren’t going as quickly as you’d wish they were.
- Performing the Heimlich Maneuver is like CPR. It’s a lifesaving skill that is even more universal than simply caring for your patient. Seniors 65 years of age and older have a seven times higher risk of choking than kids under the age of four, further highlighting this important skill.
- Observant caregivers are capable of helping mitigate health risks, find problems before they begin, and help end negative actions when they are in place. For example, you’ll want to pay attention to signs of abuse or concussions, notice the health habits of your loved one, and stay alert for side effects.
- Problem-solving and time management are needed for multiple roles as a family caregiver. Having professional resources is important, but there are times when you’re going to have to make decisions for your patient and yourself. Keeping appointments and making decisions when problems arise are going to fall to you as needed by loved ones.
Being a caregiver requires a lot of different skills and responsibilities. It’s an ongoing journey that will require sacrifice and evolution on your part. But the result is a higher quality of life for your loved one and the peace of mind of knowing that when it was needed most, love and care were there to see them through.
There are many different types of caregivers and roles that can help your loved ones. As a caregiver yourself, it’s important to understand where you fit in and the others that are a part of the journey.
Types of Caregivers
There are many different types of caregivers. The main four are family, professional, assisted living, and hospice caregivers. But everyone has different healthcare needs, including different needs at different stages of life. Therefore, it’s important to recognize there are actually more than four types depending on your needs.
Categorizing each type of caregiver can help us to better understand their roles, responsibilities, and relationship with the care recipient and others involved in the healthcare process. In this article, we review some of the many types of caregivers
in great detail.
Family Caregivers (Informal Caregivers)
Family caregivers are also known as informal caregivers. Family caregivers are typically not formally trained to help provide support. However, they are led into the role by obligation to their loved ones. In total, the United States is home to 65.7 million family caregivers, many of whom may not even realize they fulfill this role.
Rather than seeking recognition or even compensation, informal caregivers often take on responsibilities related to activities of daily living (ADLs) and other non-healthcare-related needs for family members out of love and duty.
Primary Caregivers and Secondary Caregivers
As a family caregiver, you’re likely going to fall into one of two subcategories: primary or secondary. They both have important roles in helping your loved one retain a higher quality of life. Here’s a breakdown of the two:
- Both primary and secondary caregivers are going to help ensure that ADLs are completed in most cases. However, this responsibility typically falls on the primary caregivers first before the secondary caregivers.
- A primary caregiver is also going to advocate for their patient and be more hands-on in affairs outside of the realm of healthcare.
- Secondary caregivers can act as respite caregivers to alleviate a family member or provide care when the primary caregiver isn’t available.
- On average, primary caregivers are older in age and the spouse of their patient, whereas secondary caregivers are younger and have a paying job outside of their caregiving duties.
Professional Caregivers (Private-Duty Caregivers)
A professional caregiver is usually hired to help provide support for your loved ones.
There are two main types of professional caregivers available:
- Agency Caregivers
- Independent Caregivers
Agency caregivers work for businesses, providing the duties of a caregiver to those with a medical need. There may be people with medical backgrounds working for agencies, but they should not be confused with licensed nurses or doctors.
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On the other hand, independent caregivers are similar to agency caregivers, but they are not going to be tied to a larger organization. You will need to hire these professionals directly in order to receive their services.
When dealing with a private-duty caregiver, both independent and agency alike, it’s important to review your state’s licensing, insurance, and medical training standards before hiring anyone to care for your loved one.
Even a family individual caregiver may collaborate with a private-duty caregiver for respite care. Therefore, understanding the necessary guidelines professionals must follow can provide peace of mind that your loved one is in good hands.
Assisted Living and Nursing Home Caregivers
Sometimes, our loved ones require more care than we can provide. Other times, our loved ones may wish to retain some sort of independence and not feel as if they are a burden to others. This is where assisted living communities and nursing homes can come into play.
The types of caregiver jobs in these facilities will be similar in nature, but the environment in which they work is where you’ll find core differences. Caregivers at assisted living facilities are more likely to help with management and memory issues, while nursing homes take on overcoming more physical ADLs loved ones struggle with.
Hospice Caregivers
Hospice care provides specialized care for patients who are nearing the end of life. Terminally ill patients require different needs than others. Caregivers providing palliative care to those at the end of their lives may help with ADLs but also assign things such as running errands and simply doing whatever they can to make sure the care recipient is comfortable.
According to Medicare, a patient is eligible for hospice care when they have six months or less to live. These patients may be suffering from chronic conditions such as:
- ALS
- Alzheimer’s
- Cancer
- Dementia
- HIV/AIDS
- Heart disease
- Kidney disease
- Parkinson’s
- Stroke
Nursing Caregivers
A nursing caregiver encompasses nurses found in hospitals, in homes, and in other facilities assisting elders with ADLs.
Virtual Caregivers
Virtual caregivers provide telehealth services online instead of in a healthcare facility and have become more popular since COVID-19. They are great solutions for people in need of care but in an isolated location, unable to travel, or simply looking to avoid seeing healthcare professionals in-person. Here are some pros and cons when using their services:
Pros | Cons |
Provides healthcare to those who may not be able to travel | May not be applicable for all healthcare needs |
Healthcare monitoring, prescription management, and more | Misdiagnosis is possible because it’s online instead of in front of a professional |
Patients and caregivers don’t have to expose themselves to illnesses | You’ll need to have a strong internet connection to video call |
Visits are typically easier to work around than an in-person visit | Even good Internet connections can have disruptions |
Assistant Caregiver
An assistant caregiver or caregiver assistant is a role operating in assisted living facilities to help the elderly complete ADLs such as chores and personal hygiene. Often, this specific role of caregivers for older adults helps seniors who have mobility issues get around, conduct everyday activities, and/or engage in exercise of some sort.
What Is the Duty of a Caregiver?
Different types of caregivers may have several individual duties, and specific responsibilities of these caregivers will change depending on the patient and their needs at the time. However, the job of a caregiver is to provide the necessary help to their senior in any way possible, with love.
You are going to find that caregivers have many duties and roles working together to ensure the best possible care for your loved one.
EXAMPLE
Child Caregiver Job Description
Learn about the key requirements, duties, responsibilities, and skills that should be in a child caregiver job description.
Child caregivers provide safe, educational environments for children while their parents are at work and take care of their basic needs, including dressing, feeding, and supervising play and nap times. child caregivers typically work in childcare centers, private day cares, or their own homes and have fun and enthusiastic personalities.
Child Caregiver Job Description Template
We are looking for a compassionate, patient child caregiver to join our day care and help us to provide a safe “home-away-from-home” for our children. The responsibilities of the child-caregiver include creating an enriching learning environment and looking after the basic needs of the children under their care.
To be a successful Child Caregiver, you should be patient, enthusiastic, and fun-loving. Ultimately, a top-notch child caregiver loves working with children and is passionate about child development and care.
Child Caregiver Responsibilities:
- Planning, implementing, and supervising structured, educational group activities.
- Preparing, organizing, and supervising mealtimes and snacks with nutritional food selections.
- Planning and supervising balanced routines that include physical activities, rest, and playtime.
- Providing responsible care and maintaining all safety standards.
- Ensuring a safe, sanitary, and orderly environment.
- Maintaining professional and positive relationships with parents, children, and staff.
- Notifying supervisors and parents of any signs of emotional or developmental issues.
- Providing structure and accountability that is firm but compassionate.
- Assisting children in the bathroom or with diapering tasks as needed.
- Encouraging children to participate in all activities.
Child Caregiver Requirements:
- A high school diploma or GED.
- A Bachelor’s degree in early childcare or early childhood development is advantageous.
- Up-to-date first aid and CPR certifications.
- Ability to pass background checks and drug tests.
- A minimum of 1 year’s experience in a professional childcare environment.
- Strong working knowledge of childhood development.
- Physical fitness and the ability to perform tasks such as sitting on the floor, bending, and lifting children.
- Creativity and a willingness to sing, dance, and be silly and fun-loving with children.
- Excellent interpersonal skills, professionalism, and patience.
- Exceptional listening skills, compassion, and the ability to remain calm at all times.
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