Fresh Profile: Caregiver Jobs

Published on 2008-07-23

Caregivers - also called home care aides, companions and personal attendants - provide a variety of services to individuals who need more help with personal and domestic tasks than a family member or friend can provide. Caregiver jobs should not be confused with in-home nursing jobs or home health aides who provide health-related services, though caregivers do visit their clients at home or in a residential care home.
The responsibilities of a caregiver generally involve house cleaning, laundry and cooking. A caregiver also provides assistance with bathing, dressing and grooming, or helping the client in and out of bed. Sometimes clients need personal attendants to accompany them on errands such as a doctor's visit or shopping for groceries. In many cases, a caregiver also provides psychological support. Clients include elderly, disabled, physically ill and mentally disabled persons.
While nursing occupations and other healthcare jobs require higher education, caregivers can obtain a job with a high school diploma or GED. Most caregivers receive on-the-job training, such as basic safety techniques to use in case of an emergency. Aides may also be instructed on nutrition, special diets and how to properly cook meals that are appropriate for their clients. A caregiver may choose to complete the Home Care Aide Certification Program offered by the National Association for Home Care and Hospice (NAHC).
Job openings for caregivers can be found at home health care agencies, home care aide organizations and hospices. Work can also be found within individual and family services, residential care facilities and private households. Typically, a full time caregiver will have several clients per day, while caregivers who work part time jobs might assist only one or two clients. Caregivers who work closely with other medical staff must keep detailed records of their services. In home health care agencies, for example, a caregiver will typically answer to a registered nurse, physical therapist or social worker.
Caregiver jobs across the nation are expected to grow by 51% between 2006 and 2016, due to the rapid growth in home health care and high replacement needs, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The work is physically and emotionally demanding, but can offer a high degree of job satisfaction. Individuals who are interested in caregiver positions should possess a genuine desire to help others.
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