Local caregiver jobs may be the start of a rewarding career where you help and connect with others while enjoying flexibility. Caregiver duties and responsibilities may include meal prep, shopping, and monitoring health changes. Some people may need a companion for emotional support to avoid isolation.
You can start finding opportunities near you by applying to home care agencies. You can also directly check nursing homes, hospice facilities, and hospitals. A targeted online search with the right keywords can also help get a position.
Who Should Become a Caregiver?
A caregiver works very closely with clients, as you may become a vital part of their lives by making it easier. Some caregivers note feeling like part of the family.
If you're someone who:
Prefers working with people
Has lots of patience
Doesn't mind change
Hate office work
Don't want to rely on a college degree
Consider becoming a caregiver.
What are Some Caregiver Jobs?
Whether you're interested in part-time caregiver work or live-in caregiver opportunities, there's a position for you.
Some Philadelphia, PA caregiver jobs include:
Home health aides
Personal care aides
Certified nursing assistant
Registered nurses
Assistive care provider
Therapists
Typical Entry-Level Caregiver Positions
If you're interested in an entry-level position, you can find jobs that don't focus on non-medical support.
These positions include:
Personal care aide
Home health aide
Companion caregivers
Patient sitters
For a patient person who enjoys social interaction, a companion caregiver may be a good position to start. Home health aides and personal care aides may assist clients with getting dressed, grooming, bathing, and mobility in their homes. A patient sitter observes patients in formal settings, like facilities and hospitals, to ensure their safety.
Do I Need a Degree?
There are some positions that only require a high school diploma or GED, along with additional certifications like First Aid. However, more advanced roles require studying Health Sciences, Human Services, and other specialized fields.
Caregiving can also be a pathway to more advanced career paths. Registered nurses require an Associate's degree or a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing, and Occupational/physical therapists usually need a Master's degree.
What Are Common Caretaker Duties?
Daily living assistance, like bathing
Laundry and light housekeeping
Monitor health changes
Assist with mobility
Meal prep and eating assistance
Coordinating appointments
Coordinating activities
Documentation
What Are Signs Someone Needs Caregiver Help?
Someone in cognitive and or physical decline will show certain signs that it's time to get regular assistance.
Look out for signals like:
Confusion and anxiety
Memory decline
Socially isolating
Declining personal and home hygiene
The person may experience significant weight loss from a lack of eating related to forgetting to grocery shop, being unable to physically go to the store, or forgetting to eat. Empty cabinets are a common sign.
Pay attention to balance problems linked to frequent falls and difficulty walking. Lookout for signs of unexplained injuries or injuries they don't remember, such as cuts, abrasions, bruises, and burns.
Someone who was once meticulous about their home may begin to leave things cluttered and dirty, like piles of laundry and unwashed dishes. A normally social person may begin avoiding family and friends, stop returning calls, and completely stop hobbies.
Cognitive decline may show in money problems. Is there a stack of unpaid bills or utilities suddenly getting cut off? As a result, a basic task like shopping and bill paying may become burdensome.
Ways to Find Opportunities
There are several ways to make the leap into this budding and necessary field. You can start searching general job sites using search terms like "home health aide" or "caregiver." However, you may want to focus on more career-specific sites and directly apply to home care agencies online.
You can also network with other local healthcare professionals, including nurses, doctors, and hospice care workers. They may have leads on related caregiver openings or can suggest reputable agencies to contact.
Frequently Asked Questions About Being a Caregiver
What Are Conditions That Require a Caregiver?
Neurological, cognitive, or chronic diseases and physical limitations are common reasons to hire a caregiver. These professionals are also available to those in need of temporary help, like surgical recovery.
Conditions these professions assist with include:
Post-surgical recovery
Mobility failure
Diabetes
Heart disease
Multiple Sclerosis
Stroke recovery
Dementia
Alzheimers
What Are Caregivers Not Allowed to Do?
For the sake of patient safety and preventing litigation, caregivers should be mindful of what they're not allowed to do.
A caregiver should never:
Perform untrained medical tasks
Get involved in the client's finances
Inappropriate physical relationship
Have the patient unsupervised
Neglect care requirements
Misuse equipment
Share clients' private info
Being late or not showing up at all
What Is Senior Sundowning?
Do you notice your senior patient becoming more anxious, agitated, or confused later in the day? Senior sundowning may occur due to environmental changes or disrupted internal clocks. For many, the problem begins in the late afternoon and lasts until nighttime.
Caretakers can help mitigate this problem by creating a calm environment that includes a consistent and calm routine. Encourage your senior to enjoy daylight exposure and ensure they're not dealing with underlying triggers, like pain, hunger, dehydration, or infection.
Start A Rewarding Career in Caretaking
Caregiver jobs are an ideal option for someone who enjoys helping people live more independently, providing companionship, and helping someone recover from an illness or injury. You may be a lifeline to a lonely senior or disabled person who needs assistance with tasks.
If you're tired of working a 9-to-5 job and want to get involved with a stable career with increasing needs due to population gaps from declining birthrates, it may be time to take the leap. Those caregiver job openings near you may be the start of a rewarding career with flexibility that allows you work nights, weekends, on-call, or part-time around your ideal schedule.
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