Question

Discuss the benefits and risks for caregivers working with the elderly, disabled, or chronically ill

Answer 1

Benefits of caregivers:

1. The Desire to Help.

Caregiving is a helping profession. Providing caregiving to a senior in their home brings enormous benefit to the caregiver and the family member. Events such as illness, accident or slow decline can cause the need for help in the home. To assist someone is to understand a person’s needs and meet or exceed those needs. The trust and appreciation that develops is rewarding and empowering for both caregiver and family member. Fostering independence and improving someone’s quality of life is the goal of caregiving. Depending on the situation this can take many forms, from maximum functional assistance to companionship and socialization.

2. Diversity of Client Experience

Home care caregivers experience a wide variety of clients with complex needs. There is no “one size fits all” situation. Caregivers have the ability to adapt to different lifestyles, backgrounds, races, and disabilities. This requires putting personal preferences aside to connect and adapt to the person. A skill that more of us could use!

3. Learning New Skills

Depending on the tasks a caregiver is allowed to do in their state, learning new skills is just part of the job. Caregivers do everything from running errands to checking blood pressure, to helping clients improve functioning. Training opportunities allow caregivers to hone their skills. They learn how to deal with dementia, activities of daily living, transfers, and companionship. These are lifelong skills that transfer to all aspects of a caregiver’s life.

4. Flexibility

Some people don’t want to sit at a desk! Caregiving is an active job. It also involves working with different clients and families at different times. Many caregivers enjoy making their own hours and designating a schedule that works best for them. Some home care workers prefer part-time, some full time. Others prefer mornings or nights and weekends. Most agencies will work with caregivers to accommodate their preferences while still meeting the needs of clients.

5. Appreciation

Caregivers relieve family stress. This allows family members to take a break from caregiving duties. They also can allow a client to remain independent at home while improving the quality of their life. Here are some examples of real caregivers and their positive experiences with clients and family members.

6. Variety

Caregiving tasks can be as varied as the clients themselves. Diversity of tasks keeps caregivers stimulated and can make the job more exciting. One moment a caregiver needs to run errands; another time someone needs help in the shower or with dressing. At other times the unexpected happens and caregivers have to think and respond on their feet and on the fly.

Risks of caregivers:

Physical injuries, mental stress and strain, colds, viruses, and infections are some of the biggest risks of caregivers.

The other health risks includes:

Depression

Lack of exercise

Bad diet

Lack of sleep