A professional caregiver career depends on some factors. One is who your employer is - they can be a caregiving agency or a direct hire by the elderly’s family. Both have certain protocols but the bottom line is the care and well-being of the elderly. Another factor is the setting where you are working. Some caregivers work in care facilities taking care of several patients at one time. Others are in-home care settings whether full-time or as needed. Both situations require different protocols.
Responsibilities are different depending on what setting. For in-home caregivers, the tasks usually include personal care activities like grooming and light housekeeping. For a care facility, work is distributed among the staff, and rotations on tasks are regular. Being a professional caregiver means having professional standards which affect your relationship with the elderly and their families.
Why do you want to be a professional caregiver?
Caregiving is a rewarding job if you are the right person. Caregivers for the elderly are now in demand and offer a lot of opportunities for those who are compassionate. This job can now be found in nursing homes, adult daycare centers, and in-home clients.
We share in this article some appealing reasons why one wants a career as a professional caregiver as well as provide the “low” of such a choice. So, please read on.
The “Highs” of Being a Professional Caregiver
1. Sense of elevated well-being
Self-satisfaction is one of the reasons that people do certain actions. When you are a caregiver, the sense of helping others makes you happy and fulfilled. This good feeling has been shown in a study made by Pittsburgh University that concluded “Providing support to others activates a neural pathway in the brain that boosts our wellbeing.”
2. Diversity in the work situation
Caregiving has many challenges and is a highly flexible job. The caregiver is subjected to different lifestyles, races, backgrounds, and conditions. This dynamic work makes possible a good portfolio for career development.
3. Flexible work schedules
Caregiving is a 24/7 job which could mean that you can have freedom in choosing the work hours - whether full-time, part-time, night work, or weekends only. You can fit the work hours to the time that is convenient for you.
4. Continuous learning opportunities
Caregivers continually have training sessions for them to learn new skills and techniques to effectively connect and service those under their care.
5. Others appreciate you as a caregiver
Helping others feel good as well as makes others feel good towards you. The families and relatives of those under your care surely appreciate your help and unburdening them.
6. Fulfilling relationships
Having a positive and strong relationship with the elderly under your care is one of the important aspects of caregiving. There is a high level of trust between the client-caregiver relationship to be successful. Providing a life-enriching experience for the elderly is very rewarding.
The “Lows” of Caregiving
It cannot be denied that caregiving is overwhelming and exhausting. But there are measures that you can take once the following symptoms happen.
1. Stress and burnout
Caregiving for the elderly is rewarding but it also has many stressors. Since caregiving is a long-term challenge, the emotional impact can take its toll over a period of time. You can be doing the job for a long time and one day you feel disheartened and this can get over your head especially when the elderly under your care will deteriorate over time.
If the toll of caregiving is left unchecked then it can affect your health, state of mind as well as your relationship - all these results in burnout which is a state of emotional and physical exhaustion. When this happens, you and your elderly will suffer.
Taking care of yourself is not a luxury but a necessity. Making sure that you take care of your well-being is as important as taking care of a dementia patient.
These are the symptoms of stress and burnout:
Irritability, anxiety, depression
A feeling of exhaustion and run down
Sleep difficulty
Overreacting on minor disturbance
Concentration problem
New or recurring health problems
Drinking or smoking more
Cutting back on leisure activities
Neglecting responsibilities
A feeling of hopelessness and helplessness
The work no longer gives you satisfaction
2. Health problems
Your body is like a car. With the right maintenance and fuel, it will serve you well and run reliably. You may cope up with the caregiving duties that you forget to take care of your well-being. Health problems are common with caregivers since they work long hours and are subjected to stress more often.
To avoid developing health issues, you should do the following:
Be sure to get regular checkups by your doctor.
Exercise is a great stress reliever. In your spare time, have an exercise regimen like aerobics or gym work.
Practice a relaxation technique like meditation or yoga. You can even do this while on duty during your break time. A few minutes of relaxation will do wonders to your body.
Have proper nutrition. Eat well to fuel your body with energy.
Get enough sleep. Be sure to get at least 8 hours of sleep to energize your body and soul.
As in anything in our lives, we should have a golden mean in order to function well and continue to help others. Once our body and mind weaken, we cannot be much help to anyone.
Being a caregiver is noble and satisfying but there is a downside that should be considered. Once symptoms of the downside are apparent, you should seek help or make some changes. The best one to know if there is something wrong is YOU and you also have the power to do something about it.
Comentários