When the alarm goes off in the morning, do you dread going to work? Do you currently feel trapped in a dead-end job that lacks purpose, growth potential, and personal fulfillment? If so, a challenging career in the rapidly growing home care industry might hold the key to “turning your frown upside down.” While most often assisting aging-in-place seniors, professional in-home caregivers serve a vital role in America’s healthcare system. If you’re still unsure about what the job entails, here’s what to expect in a typical day while working as an in-home senior caregiver.
Duties and Responsibilities of a Professional Caregiver
If you’re new to this role and are wondering how caregivers help clients maintain independent lifestyles, here’s a summary of those duties and responsibilities:
Personal Care
- Assistance with hygiene
- Grooming and dressing
- Bathing
- Transferring and ambulation assistance
- Assistance with toileting and incontinence care
Around the House
- Light housekeeping
- Laundry
- Medication reminders
- Grocery shopping
- Meal planning and preparation
- Changing bed linens
- Running errands
Companionship
- Recreational activities
- Entertainment
- Sort and read mail
- Escort to appointments
- Transportation
- Religious readings and reminders
- Behavioral assistance to support emotional wellbeing
Snapshot of an Average Caregiver’s Day
Now that you understand a caregiver’s duties and responsibilities, here’s what to expect during a typical day while serving in the role of a professional in-home caregiver:
Morning Routine
In addition to helping older clients with chronic pain or disabilities get out of bed, caregivers often assist them with their personal hygiene needs. Once you’ve helped your seniors bathe, brush their teeth, dress, and toilet, it’ll be time to prepare them a nutritious breakfast and plan out the day’s activities – including doctor’s appointments, exercise, social activities, and necessary errands.
If you need exercise ideas, some of the best low-impact workouts for older participants include taking long walks at the park, gardening, golf (walk not ride), Yoga, Pilates, cycling, and chair aerobics.
Note: Be sure your client has been medically cleared by their doctor before encouraging them to exercise.
Lunchtime Routine
Once noon rolls around, you may be asked to prepare a healthy meal that meets all your client’s essential nutritional needs and dietary restrictions. If they have trouble chewing or swallowing food, those issues will also have to be addressed. Over lunch, you can make plans for the rest of the afternoon. While doing so, be sure to mentally prioritize your client’s activity preferences for the remainder of the day.
Afternoon Routine
The afternoon affords the perfect opportunity to help clients socialize with their friends and family in person or via a Zoom video call. After lunch is also an optimal time for your client to recharge while taking a nap. During these hours, you can finish essential tasks around the house that may include sorting through the mail, doing dishes, cleaning, running errands, or managing your client’s medical appointments.
Evening Routine
As the day winds down, you should begin dinner preparations while once again considering your client’s dietary needs and food restrictions. After watching TV or playing a board game together, it’ll be time to get them ready for bed by assisting them with their bathing and grooming needs.
Once they are nestled in for the night, you can return home knowing that you had a productive day by helping a fellow human being in need remain in their home while enjoying a renewed sense of independence and better quality of life!
Join Our Amazing Team in Fort Wayne, IN Today!
If you are interested in pursuing an exciting, challenging, and fulfilling career in the rapidly growing home care industry, Senior1Care would like to speak with you. Due to our expanding client load, we are currently seeking qualified candidates to fill several open caregiving positions in Fort Wayne, IN.
We offer competitive pay, flexible hours, great benefits, performance bonuses, and the opportunity to work in a positive environment while surrounded by fellow caring professionals. Whether you’re a CNA, nurse, therapist, or another type of healthcare professional, we’d love to hear from you. What are you waiting for? To learn more about how to pursue an exciting career opportunity with Senior1Care today, please visit us at www.senior1care.com.
