Description of the profession of home caregiver and night caregiver
The home caregiver allows frail or elderly individuals not to be alone in their homes. Depending on the person’s health condition, the caregiver temporarily replaces the need for the person to be placed in a specialized facility, whether for a short or long term.
They contribute to keeping individuals at home and can work both during the day and at night. Home caregivers often collaborate with doctors, nurses, home care assistants, and housekeepers. They must report their interventions to the family members of the person concerned.
The home caregiver is dedicated to caring for elderly and ailing individuals at home, providing regular presence in case of temporary or more significant difficulties, and when they do not wish to be alone during the day and/or night.
A caregiver’s vocation is to take care of elderly and ailing individuals who remain at home, needing regular presence in case of temporary or more significant needs (health issues such as illness or hospital discharge, for example), and who do not wish to stay alone in the absence of their family.
The caregiver ensures a presence with the patient, either in addition to home care assistance or as a replacement for someone temporarily absent. They perform tasks that family members may not be able to handle, respond to simple requests, and ensure the physical and emotional comfort of the individual.
Not having the status of a nurse, they do not provide medical care, but they can assist with the administration of prescription medications if it does not require the intervention of a medical auxiliary.
What is the role of a home caregiver?
Here are the various missions of a home caregiver:
- Accompanying the person to the bathroom
- Assisting the elderly person with eating and drinking
- Using home care equipment adapted to the patient (lifts, walkers, etc.)
- Reassuring the patient and contributing to a reassuring atmosphere around them
- Ensuring that the person adopts a correct position for the night
- Protecting the person by exercising great vigilance and reporting any unusual conditions
- Assisting the person in taking prescribed medications
- Assisting the elderly person in their daily life
- Performing daily activities on behalf of the person
Qualities of a Home Caregiver:
- Compassion
- Sense of service
- Discretion
- Availability
Responsibilities of a Home Caregiver:
- Accompanying and assisting the elderly person in essential activities of daily life: mobility and movements, toileting, dressing, feeding, elimination functions, follow-up on care, etc.
- Providing vigilance to the person through friendly physical visits to detect unusual signs or behaviors
- Performing common household tasks (cleaning, dishes, laundry, ironing, organizing), doing shopping (food and cleaning products), assisting with house maintenance, and preparing meals
- Accompanying the person in social and relational activities (domestic and administrative activities, leisure activities, social life support, etc.)
- Developing accompanying activities (care, walks) and leisure activities (board games, reading, etc.).
Contact one of the recruiters from the “Morgan & Mallet Caregiver Agency” to meet candidates for home caregivers.