Do you think you would like to become a caregiver? Are you wondering what the job involves? Here’s a brief overview of a day in the life of a caregiver.
When Do Caregivers Work?
Since many clients require regular assistance, caregivers may work days, evenings, overnights, weekdays, weekends, and holidays. A full-time caregiver could log 8-hour or 12-hour shifts in a single residence or facility. Or they may split their time between individual clients.
A Sample Caregiver in a Nursing Home – Swing Shift
3 p.m. – Arrive at Work
3:00 to 3:15 p.m. – Check-in with nursing staff
3:15 to 5:00 p.m. – Help with afternoon activities
5:00 to 6:30 p.m. – Assist patients with dinner
6:30 to 7:00 p.m. – Break
7:00 to 9:30 p.m. – Get patients ready for bed
9:30 to 10:45 p.m. – Clean, restock, and answer calls
10:45 to 11:00 p.m. – Check-out with nursing staff
A Sample Caregiver Shift with Multiple Clients
9:00 a.m. – Arrive at the home of client #1
9:00 to 9:30 a.m. – Assist with breakfast and housekeeping
9:30 to 11:00 a.m. – Run errands and provide companionship
11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. – Prepare lunch and a reheatable dinner
1:30 p.m. – Arrive at the home of client #2
1:30 to 2:00 p.m. – Tidy the kitchen
2:00 to 3:00 p.m. – Take the client to an appointment
3:00 to 4:30 p.m. – Do laundry and provide companionship
4:30 to 5:30 p.m. – Assist with dinner
Where Do Caregivers Work?
Many caregivers work right out of people’s homes. This allows clients to receive the assistance they need while remaining in familiar surroundings. Nursing homes assisted living facilities and adult foster care homes usually have caregivers on staff too.
What Do Caregivers Do During a Typical Day?
Caregivers offer physical, mental, and emotional support to both clients and their families. Although the job can be demanding, it also is extremely rewarding.
Duties may include:
- Assisting clients with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) including toileting, bathing, getting dressed, and personal grooming
- Moving clients from beds to wheelchairs and back
- Guiding clients through exercise programs
- Providing companionship
- Keeping the household organized
- Running errands/grocery shopping
- Planning and preparing meals
- Performing light housework such as vacuuming and kitchen/bathroom clean-up
- Changing bedding
- Doing laundry
- Taking clients to appointments and/or social events
- Talking to doctors and relaying information to clients’ family
- Reminding clients to take their medications
- Monitoring the client’s health and reporting changes
What’s the Difference Between Caregivers, HHAs, and CNAs?
Caregivers may or may not have formal training. Whereas Home Health Aide (HHA) and Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) roles require state certification. Because of their additional education, CNAs earn more than HHAs, and HHAs earn more than caregivers. Nevertheless, a caregiver role can be a fantastic starting point if you would like to pursue a career in this field.
Are You Ready to Tackle a Day in the Life of a Caregiver?
Anodyne is urgently hiring caregivers in Weymouth, Massachusetts, and beyond. We offer full- and part-time opportunities as well as free Home Health Aide (HHA) training programs and paid travel. Browse our available openings and start making a difference in someone’s life today!
