7 Career Paths for Caregivers to Consider

7 Diverse Career Paths for Caregivers

As the population of elders in America continues to grow, the number of caregivers is also needed. This is an exciting time for those interested in careers that focus on helping others – but it can also be daunting to know where to start! You can take many paths when considering a caregiver career, and this post will discuss seven options you should consider. We hope that this 7 Career Paths for Caregivers to Consider post inspires you. 

Exploring Opportunities Beyond Traditional Caregiving Role

Careers Beyond Traditional Caregiving Roles

Becoming a Home Health Aide

If you're looking for a career that can genuinely help people, it doesn't get better than the healthcare field. And with an aging population that is increasingly in need of additional care, there has never been a better time to pursue healthcare as a long-term career goal.

Home health aides are essential members of the multidisciplinary care team for their patients. They provide ALS home health care and similar services for seniors, such as daily activities, feeding, and washing. Some examples of the work performed by home health aides include administering medication, changing bandages, monitoring vital signs, providing transportation to appointments or social engagements, cooking nutritious meals, and ensuring patients are adhering to their treatment plan.

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Becoming a Personal Care Aide

Personal care aides work in various settings, including nursing homes, assisted living centers, and patients' homes. The primary role of this caregiver is to provide physical assistance to clients who require help with dressing, bathing, eating, or toileting. They may also assist with transportation, meal preparation, administering medication, and light household duties.

Living Assistance or Companion Care

Companion care provides non-medical support to those who need assistance with routine activities such as meal prep, bathing, or dressing. This can be a good option for those who want to work in the care industry but do not have an extensive background in medicine or healthcare. A companion care aide can work part-time, full-time, day/evening/weekend, and live-in or live-out. This profession is perfect for those who have a few hours a day they can dedicate to helping people and those looking for weekend work.

Becoming an Occupational Therapy Aide

Occupational therapy aides work under the direct supervision of an occupational therapist to assist with personal care. They may be responsible for helping patients perform their daily tasks, which could involve anything from standing transfers, walking, breakfast/lunch/dinner preparation, self-grooming, and toileting. Occupational therapy aides work in a variety of healthcare settings and do not need an extensive educational background.

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Becoming a Geriatric Care Manager

Geriatric care managers are essential for those who want to help families care for their aging loved ones but don't necessarily want to be an aide or personal assistant. A care manager acts as a liaison between families and home care agencies to coordinate patient needs, including medical treatment, nursing assistance, therapy services, and personal care. This role may require working with family members, insurance companies, or other healthcare professionals to ensure everyone is on the same page when it comes to caring for an elderly loved one.

Helping Other Caregivers as a Trainer or Recruiter

If you want to help people as a caregiver but don't necessarily have the skills or desire to provide hands-on assistance, consider becoming a trainer or recruiter. Training aides work with home health aides and personal care assistants to ensure they are adequately educated on how to perform their duties. A recruiting aide works as a liaison between home care agencies and families who need additional support, screening applicants and matching caregivers to clients. These positions require communication skills and managing client expectations, so be sure you have what it takes before pursuing these roles. Before starting their job, they must complete state-required educational processes to earn all the necessary qualifications.

As you can see, there are many opportunities for those who want to work as a caregiver. There is something for everyone, whether working directly with patients or helping other caregivers improve their skills and achieve their goals. Take the first step and start researching the training and education required for positions that interest you today! 7 Career Paths for Caregivers 

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