A caregiver is a person who takes care of elderly people, infants and disabled individuals. There are many obligations and characteristics that a caretaker needs to bear in mind. He/she needs to attend to the needs of the person he/she is taking care of, being connected to the health care industry as well, administering medications, if necessary. Also, caretakers make sure that the person is clean, fed and safe.
Who is a Caregiver?
Being a caregiver makes you responsible for many different things. First of all, you are employed in the house of the person you are taking care of. Thus, you should be there to help with any household activity, including physical assistance, cleaning, taking the elderly person for errands etc.
Additionally, as a caretaker, you need to pay close attention to the health of the elderly person, monitoring the vital signs and keeping track of his/her condition.
Basically, everyone can become a caretaker, regardless of his/her education. In fact, most caretakers get the necessary education through their work. Nevertheless, qualified nurses can be caretakers too. In order to become qualified, one needs to attend a six month course, learning all the necessary skills for being a good caretaker. The nurse aid certification can also be received after 75 hours of voluntary course work.
Life of a Caregiver for Elderly People
Being a caregiver for elderly people is not an easy task and there is plenty of work to be done in this profession. However, the salary for this type of job is usually not very high, an average being $18,000 annually. Yet, health benefits, as well as free rooming and boarding for live-in caretakers are also available.
The negative sides of taking care of elderly people mainly reflect through long working hours and hard work. The work is usually divided in shifts which can last from 4 to 12 hours, depending on the needs of the elderly person.
Also, if you desire a job of a live-in caretaker, you will be working full-time. Thus, being prepared for a lot of work through long and demanding shifts is a must.
The world will always need caretakers, especially due to the fact that the life expectancy of elderly people increases every year. These people prefer having someone qualified to look after them. Thus, it is best to apply for a job in a nursing home or as private physical therapists, reaching clients more easily.
In the future, the demand for caretakers is predicted to rise by 18%, until 2016. Nevertheless, it is best to use this time in order to become a registered nurse, since this line of work is much better. But, if caretaker for elder people is a job that makes you satisfied and fulfilled, do not miss the opportunity.
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