Home caregivers have become really popular in recent years as they enable elderly people to continue to live in their own homes longer.
The range of duties performed by these dedicated people depends on their backgrounds and the skills they have to offer.
Some are professionals who have had nursing training and are able to work with the homebound who have health issues.
Others are strictly amateurs who have a desire to make lives better for the older people in their community.
These people offer companionship as well as housekeeping, cooking, laundry, transportation, and personal services.
The number one quality a caregiver needs to display is compassion, but not too much.
You want someone who will offer your parent understanding and patience in light of their limitations.
However, you don't want one who waits on them hand and foot so that they no longer carry on an active life.
The caregiver should be willing to talk to the senior, but not to talk his or her ear off and make them nervous.
The one you hire should also have a calming personality that will maintain a quiet, serene environment in your loved one's home.
Although the pay rates for caregivers are slowly rising, most can expect to get no more than $18,000 per year for the services they provide.
Like others in positions that offer care, such as a teacher's aide or nurse's aide, these people work mainly for the satisfaction the job gives them.
You must appreciate their efforts and let them know it if you hope to get one to continue in your employ.
Some of the standard duties of a caregiver paid on this type of wage scale include: * Personal care -- bathing, toileting assistance, hygiene maintenance, and dressing are some tasks that fall under this heading.
* Medical Care - many seniors need no more medical assistance than someone to help them keep track of their medications and take them at the proper times.
* Housekeeping - is everything from washing dishes to vacuuming to doing laundry.
It will all depend on how much your parent can and wants to do on their own and the type of help they need.
* Cooking - will depend on what you are paying them to do.
It might be just to make sure that your loved ones eats properly, fix them a simple sandwich at lunchtime, or to cook entire dinners.
Make sure your expectations are clear from the time you first hire someone.
* Companionship - too many elderly people are lonely.
They no longer have the friends and family they once had, and it's easy for them to just sit by themselves day after day.
You'll want a caregiver who is able to become a friend.
* Transportation - getting to the store, the beauty salon, medical appointments, or other events is often a concern of older folks.