2023 is in full swing, and that means change on various fronts. For many seasonal workers, the job availability the holiday brought has come to a close. For those seeking a consistent job that is year-round, caregiving in-home care is a growing field ripe with opportunities.
What Does a Caregiver Do?
In general, caregivers typically travel to a patient’s home to help with daily activities, like bathing, grooming, meal preparation, light housekeeping, emotional support, and companionship. Depending on the client’s needs, caregivers might also assist with driving and escorting patients to appointments.
Professional caregivers are often employed through a home care agency to provide personal care to patients in their homes. Some caregivers work independently, and others work in hospice and medical centers through the agency that employs them.
What’s the Difference Between Working with an Agency vs. Direct Hire by a Client?
We’ve touched on this topic before and recommend further reading. One of the main takeaways is that if you are a private caregiver hired directly by a family, that family is fully responsible for your compensation and benefits.
What Qualifications and Skills Do Caregivers Need?
Caregivers often use a mixture of skills. Overall, they need to be organized and able to multitask. Depending on the level of assistance needed, caregivers need to be able to:
- Be compassionate and empathic to their clients
- Understand what to do in an emergency
- Care for those with Alzheimer’s and dementia
Caregivers who work through an agency undergo training before being employed. For example, caregivers in New York need to have earned an HHA before they can work for an agency. At Westchester Family Care, we help caregivers get their HHA, have an orientation, and then assist with ongoing training through in-service sessions.
What Makes an Excellent Caregiver?
An exceptional caregiver is someone friendly and compassionate, as they often work with patients who need a positive and encouraging presence in their lives. It is also essential for caregivers to have a driver’s license to transport patients to and from errands and critical health appointments. Overall, a great caregiver is someone who is flexible and can adapt to changing needs over time.
What Environment Do Caregivers Often Work in?
Most caregivers work in patients’ homes, helping to provide personal care. Caregiving is a great experience for someone who wants to work one-on-one with patients. Many caregivers enjoy working in a home setting rather than a facility.
For caregivers who work with an agency, there may be opportunities for caregivers to work in a facility, such as assisted living, independent living, or memory care to provide additional services to patients. While there is some flexibility in location, caregivers consistently work with the same clients and build a caring relationship with them over time.
What are the Top Benefits of Being a Caregiver?
Many caregivers enjoy the benefits of a stable work environment and the ability to form personal connections with their clients. Caregiving is a growing industry with many employment opportunities.
At Westchester Family Care, we are an industry-leading home care agency and are committed to treating our employees with professionalism and respect. Below are just some of the benefits our caregivers enjoy:
- Competitive Pay for Part‐Time, Full‐Time, and Live‐in Caregivers
- $500 Sign-On Bonus
- $500 Employee Referral Bonuses
- Paid Sick & Vacation Time Off
- 401(k) Plan, now with employer match
- Health Insurance with individual coverage HRA for Full-Time Employees
- Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance
We also recommended learning more about our dedication to our caregivers.
We have openings available if you are interested in starting a new career in a secure and growing industry. See what opportunity we have and apply today.