If you want to become a caregiver, then there are different paths that you can choose. You can opt to work as a home health aide, or in nursing homes. You can also find work as a caregiver in assisted living facilities. Depending on where you choose to work, the kind of work you’ll have to do will change.

Take for example working as a home health aide. You’ll find yourself working in the homes of patients. As a caregiver in a nursing home on the other hand, you’ll have access to a lot more medical facilities than you would as a home health aide. To decide which career path would suit you the best, it’s essential to understand what the different types of caregivers are.

So who are the four types of caregivers?

1. Home Health Aide

Of the various options available to patients, the most flexible one is where a caregiver takes care of them in their homes. As a home health aide, the kind of services you’ll be offering can include round the clock care, or a few hours of care every day. This will be determined by the needs of the patient.

Home health aides typically work for a home healthcare agency. When a patient gets in touch with such an agency, then match a caregiver to the patient. That caregiver then provides medical assistance as well as help around the house, to the patient and their family. The first thing you should do as a home health aide is make a full assessment of everything that the patient will need from you. You may need to be registered nurse however, in order to perform this assessment. Else a nurse will do the assessment for you.

When it comes to working for a home healthcare agency, there are a minimum number of hours that you’ll need to be hired for. This could be three to four hours. There are also many agencies that split round the clock care between two or more caregivers. Instead of working for a home healthcare agency, you can also choose to work independently as a caregiver.

There are various levels of skills that a home health aide can have. They could be suited to be a companion, or may also be certified nurses. If you don’t yet have certification to work as a home health aide, then consider getting yourself certified. This can help you in your career going ahead.

2. Assisted Living Facility Aide

You won’t come across a standard model when it comes to working in assisted living facilities. There are many caregivers who choose to work in assisted living facilities as there are various social programs involved. You can also care for patients in a community like setting. In such facilities, nursing care can be provided as and when needed. But they are generally not provided regularly.

Patients who live in such facilities are expected to take their own medications themselves. However, if a patient asks for your help, then it should be able to help them. If you choose to work in an assisted living facility, then you may be helping patients who have conditions like dementia. However, such facilities don’t tend to accept patients who are bedbound or who can’t walk by themselves.

3. Nursing Home

You can also choose to become a caregiver who works in nursing homes. In a nursing home, you may need to provide care for the short term, which is mainly rehabilitative. You could also find yourself caring for patients who have chronic long-term conditions. Units for patients staying at the nursing home for a long period of time usually tend to be separate.

When you work in a nursing home, you’ll need to help patients take their medicines, as well as help with other medical needs. Should a patient be bound to their bed, then they may need more care and assistance. You will also find yourself filling prescriptions for patients as well. In nursing homes, in addition to medical care, social and community activities are provided as well. You may find yourself helping patients during such activities.

As a caregiver, you should also consider caregiver insurance. This is as your career leaves you vulnerable to certain risk factors, such as getting sued by clients. With caregiver insurance you can protect your career as well as your finances. If you would like to learn more about caregiver insurance, then click here.

Nursing homes let patients choose between private or semi-private rooms. You may also need to care for patients during their meal times.

4. Daycare Centers for Adults

If you choose to work in a daycare center for adults, then the setting you’ll find yourself in will be one that is community based. Through this program you’re expected to provide various health, support as well as social services to the adults who are staying at the center. A daycare center for adults can be nonprofit or they can also be affiliated to facilities like home care facilities, hospitals, and more.

This means that you should choose what kind of daycare center for adults you want to work for. Do your research carefully to find out what kind of a daycare facility it is, as well as the extent of the work you’re expected to do. Generally, you’ll find yourself caring for the patients who live in such facilities. You may need to help them care for themselves at the daycare center.

Conclusion

If you want to work as a caregiver, then there are different kinds of career paths that you can choose. Some kinds of caregivers provide more in-depth care, such as home health aides and nurses. You can also choose to support your patients to lead good lives, by working in an assisted living facility or a daycare center for adults.

Use this guide to learn all about the different career paths available to caregivers. Whether you want to provide medical care or supportive care, you’re sure to find a career that suits your needs.