A Day in the Life of a Senior Caregiver

Hiring a professional to look after your loved one is sometimes more important than you imagine. But if you are considering hiring a professional Caretaker or a Caregiver, you might wonder what a trained caregiver does. In this post, we will look into the day and life of a Caregiver.

A caregiver is a trained individual qualified to look after your loved one. In short, these professionals can handle and manage all aspects of your loved one's life, whether physical assistance, emotional support, or companionship. However, there are a lot of questions surrounding a caregiver's duties that never get asked, so they remain unanswered. But this blog will answer all your questions about a caregiver's life and responsibilities.

A Typical Day in the Life of a Caregiver

A question often asked is, what does a caregiver do?

It includes everything a caregiver does throughout to assist the client or patient. A typical day in the life of a Caregiver looks something like this:

*  7:00 am – Arrive at work

*  7:00 - 9:00 am – Wakes up the Client, assists with grooming and bathing, dressing, breakfast, and medications

* 10:00 - 12:00 am - Keeps Client company, assists them with starting their daily routine (TV or Radio, and whatever the Client wants to do)

* 12:00 - 3:00 pm - Lunchtime, household chores (however the night CNA usually cleans the house), companionship, and whatever the Client wants to do

*  3:00-6:00 pm – Assist with Daily Living and the routine the Client is accustomed to

*  6:00-7:00 pm – Prepare dinner, companionship

*  7:00 pm – Clock out & Go home (after the night CNA arrives)

Of coarse, each day can look different depending on the patient's needs and the services they desire/require.

What Does a Caregiver Do?

A Caregiver can offer mental, physical, and emotional support. Moreover, your caregiver can also help your family by understanding your needs and requirements. Although the job includes different responsibilities depending on their pay, here is a vague list of all the tasks that your caregiver will help you with:

·         Assisting patients with daily tasks, for instance: assist with using the bathroom, bathing, cleaning, eating, etc.

·         Helping the patient/client transfer from a bed to a chair or wheelchair and back

·         Arranging appointments and taking them to the doctor's clinic when needed

·         Cooking food and preparing for meals

·         Light housekeeping

·         Doing errands like getting groceries and medicines

·         Walking the dog and taking care of the house

·         Companionship and helping the client socialize

·         Going on walks

·         Doing laundry

·         Changing bedding

·         Talking to the doctor and conveying the information to the client's family

·         Monitoring client's mental and physical health

·         Setting reminders to eat and take medication on time

These are just a few things your caregiver can help you with. The list can include specific and personal tasks depending on the family and the client's needs.

What is the difference between a Professional Caregiver and a Family Caretaker?

Obviously the main difference between a professional, licensed CNA and a family member is the COST. Agencies cost $30 to $60 per hour depending on the market they live in. Seasoned Citizens are blessed if they saved well to eventually afford professional care.

A family member, like a daughter or granddaughter, is rarely paid…and usually have to live with their elder family member. Everytime that person has to leave to buy groceries or pay bills, they leave their loved one in danger. This can be stressfull on the family member, and sometimes the entire family. There is nothing worse than coming home to your loved one who’s injured themself while you were away.

There’s a huge difference between an untrained “Caretaker” and professionally trained, full-time, 24/7 Licensed Caregivers protecting and prolonging your loved ones life! Agencies like Heart of Mercy carefully select and re-train our Caregivers if necessary.

And don’t forget….Heart of Mercy Homecare created the unique system of MATCH-MAKING our Caregivers with our Clients! We send different Caregivers to your loved one and let the CLIENT decide WHO they want caring for them!! WHO DOES THAT IN THIS ENTIRE INDUSTRY!?

A professional Caregiver is different because they understand the patient's emotional and physical state. They also realize that the client needs more than just physical assistance. Sometimes, emotional support and companionship are really what a patient needs.

When a patient is bedridden, they might feel like everyone is leaving them behind. It triggers a feeling of loneliness and anxiety. A professional caregiver is a person who can create meaningful engagement, distract elderly patients from their sickness, and make them believe that they still have the potential to live independently.

At Heart of Mercy Homecare we have professionally trained licensed Certified Nursing Assistants to introduce senior patients and aging adults to new hobbies. Urge them to participate in group activities and make friends with new people. It decreases dependency on family members and allows aging individuals to live independently without compromising their dignity.

Frequently Asked Questions About Caregivers:

1.       Where do you usually find Caregivers?

Caregivers work in hospitals, nursing homes, and in the client's home. In-home care usually requires Caregivers to be at home with the patients. It allows our well trained professionals to look after the patient in familiar surroundings and environment. However, a Caregiver might work out of the client's house when needed. For example, they can accompany them to dinners, social gatherings, or doctor's clinics.

2.       How much do Caregivers earn?

Caregivers earning are based on the Market they live and work in. A New York Caregiver earns more than a Cleveland Caregiver based on the going rates in that market. Agencies also control the earnings of Caregivers which are market based but more often the Caregivers are paid an hourly rate based on the rates charged by the Agency. For example: a well known national franchise Brand will almost always charge more than a private family owned Senior Care company that didn’t pay 200-400K for a franchise and also have huge advertising costs. To discuss pricing and other details, contact Mercy to calculate a Care Plan specific to your loved ones needs.

3.       Can Caregivers help with personal hygiene?

The first rule of Senior Care is SAFETY, and the second is HYGIENE. Most Seniors have difficulty performing basic hygiene tasks like cleaning and bathing, which your Caregivers will assist with. Urinary incontinence seems to be the most common cause for this. Bathing, brushing, grooming, and dressing your loved one is a priority. They do the opposite by always trying to empower the Client with confidence, allowing them to feel more self sufficient and confident.

4.       What do Caregivers do?

In a nutshell, professional C.N.A. Caregivers will do everything in their power to look after your loved one and never let them out of their site. If you need more information, continue to review the Heart of Mercy Homecare website. We have a complete list of in-home assistance and care services that we provide.

In addition to this, review as much of our website as you can, then contact us to get information about our service details and pricing. We are more than happy to help your family with your needs. It is because we understand the importance of giving seniors and people in recovery the love they deserve.

We are here to help you and your loved ones when you need it the most!