Caregiving contributes to the fabric of community. Show
Caregiving has always been important to families, friends and communities, but over the last year and a half, caregiving has escalated in its value and significance. The necessity for caregiving has intensified, the definition of caregiving has expanded and its impact on life and work has increased. All of this puts new stressors on people and their employers—and new rewards as well. Far from just a drain or a demand, caregiving is a complex and mixed experience which requires understanding, focus and intentional support. In the popular press, caregiving is often defined as care provided to elders—including everything from housekeeping and personal care to transportation and non-professional medical support (giving meds, etc.). According to the American Geriatrics Society, 30% of people 65 and older receive help. And 65% of this care is provided by unpaid caregivers including friends, family or neighbors. But a full definition of caregiving also requires attention to the care we provide to children, friends, neighbors or others who need support. During the pandemic, the types of people who need support and the kinds of care they need have expanded. Caregiving includes childcare and learning help—especially as childcare facilities and schools have closed or reduced capacity. It also includes non-professional healthcare for all ages. And the toll on our collective mental health also necessitates more caregiving in the form of emotional support and empathy. Of course, the pandemic is one factor. Another is the “sandwich generation” in which people care for their children, parents—and sometimes grandparents—due to people’s increasing longevity. Studies over the years emphasize the stress caregiving can cause. It can indeed be exhausting for the caregiver—physically, emotionally and cognitively—because of a lack of time or boundaries, or the emotional toll of caring. In fact, a study by the American Staffing Association found parents of children under 18 reported their responsibilities for facilitating learning for their children interfered with their ability to get ahead at work. But while there can be negative impacts, recent research also shows caregiving isn’t as harmful to caregivers as we might have believed. In particular, studies from Johns Hopkins and the University of Southern California show caregiving doesn’t have negative effects on caregivers. In addition, a study from the University at Buffalo found when caregivers are shown appreciation, it enhances their experience. And research from Universität Basel found caregivers tend to live longer compared with those who do not provide care for others. We value each other, and community is an important part of the human condition. We are happier and healthier when we’re connected with others. In addition, our sense of purpose and joy are enhanced when we contribute our skills, talents or care to others in need. A study published in NeuroImage found people have a natural impulse for caregiving, and research from Child Development found people’s experience of receiving care in their first three years is integral to their wellbeing later in life. The bottom line: Caring is important in our human experience. Our human instinct for belonging and affiliation is likely what contributes to the positive effects of caregiving. Supporting CaregivingSince caregiving is so important to communities, there are crucial supports employers can provide. And this will work to employers’ advantage since support for caregiving has become a factor in attracting and retaining employees. In addition, employees who provide care for others are building all kinds of skills which are transferable to work—everything from empathy and follow through to attention to detail and leadership. There are good reasons for employers to support employees who provide care—for the caregivers themselves, but also for the organization. Consider a model of demand and capacity. Employees will be under a variety of demands, from both their work and their personal life. In addition, they will have perceptions of their capacity. Employees will be most effective and people will be healthiest when they perceive their capacity is enough to support the demands they face. Each of these—demand and capacity—shift based on circumstances. The key to supporting employees is to consider both sides of the model. For example, providing greater flexibility and not insisting employees work 100% of the time from the office can reduce demands, while providing empathy can increase their perceived capacity. Employer Mindset MattersAn organization’s view of employees makes a difference. In particular, employers should acknowledge and appreciate the whole person at work. Realize when they are away from work, they may be giving medical support, facilitating learning or providing emotional nurturing to family or friends. In addition, rather than being separate, work and life are connected: Work is part of a full life, and there is a powerful spillover effect between work and life. When people are happier at work and given more autonomy at work, they tend to be happier at home. The opposite is also true, when people are happier outside of work, they tend to perceive greater satisfaction in their work experience. When employers are empathetic, understanding and appreciative of the human experience of their employees, it has positive impacts on the overall work experience for employees and results in greater engagement and retention. What Employer Support Looks LikeEmployers can also support caregiving and caregivers by allowing for flexibility. Some jobs lend themselves more naturally to flexibly than others, and employees need to be accountable for results. But it’s also helpful when employers can provide as much choice as possible in terms of where, when and how people work. In addition, focusing on outcomes—rather than simply presence—fosters flexibility. Managing based on performance is effective for many reasons, not the least of which is support for caregiving. Innovative employers also pay attention to employee wellbeing by providing substantial benefits (examples from Wiley, KPMG, ServiceNow and Monster) as well as mechanisms for caregiving support (think: care.com). They also develop leaders’ skills and encourage leaders to demonstrate empathy and attention to employee needs—both of which have been correlated with greater employee mental health. Employers can also sponsor resource groups or affinity groups (think: parents of young children groups or caregiver dementia support groups) which create the conditions for employees to support each other. And workplaces designed for wellbeing (think: daylight, views, napping rooms, mothers’ rooms and the like) are also powerful positive elements. Caregivers Caring for ThemselvesIn addition to ways employers can enhance the caregiver experience, caregivers can also influence their own health and happiness. Caregivers sometimes report a lack of boundaries or a feeling of overwhelm based on the caregiving tasks they face. But caregivers can reduce their stress by setting boundaries or by limiting their caregiving hours (where that’s possible). They can also seek social time with friends. All of these tend to reduce stress. Caregivers can also create the conditions for happiness by building a support network for the people who need care. In a cadre of caregivers, those who love cooking can deliver great meals while those who love to read can provide companionship. Northwestern University research demonstrates when caregivers are taught techniques for greater happiness, they also experience less stress in caregiving. In SumOverall, caregiving is a critical part of a strong society. Caregivers provide support to those who are elderly, young or in need of direct aid, and they also contribute to the fabric of our overall community. Resilient communities are those in which people can rely on each other, trust each other, ask for help and pull each other through hard times. And these times are certainly tough. They remind us how much we all need each other—and how much caring—not just caregiving—is critical to our individual and collective wellbeing.
As the older population continues to expand, the demand for caregivers grows exponentially. Rather than moving into a retirement community or group home, many seniors and people with disabilities opt to live in the comfort of their own homes. For many people, living a fulfilling life at home requires in-home skilled care, which can be medical or non-medical in nature. If you’ve ever asked yourself, “why be a caregiver?”, this blog is the perfect place to start. Let’s start by defining the role of a caregiver and the services they provide for clients. What is An In-Home Non-Medical Caregiver?In-home caregivers assist seniors, people with disabilities, and individuals recovering from injuries or illnesses with activities of daily living (ADLs). In other words, they help those facing physical and/or mental challenges live more fulfilling, independent lives in their homes and communities. Some caregivers also provide personal care services to individuals in assisted living facilities, retirement communities, and skilled nursing facilities. It’s important to understand that in-home caregivers do not live in their client’s home. Instead, they visit clients on a regular basis (daily or weekly) and assist them with ADLs and other tasks. In some cases, family members (such as adult children) care for their elderly parents or relatives with disabilities. However, the responsibilities of caring for loved ones can be overwhelming, stressful, and lead to strained relationships. Professional caregivers provide specialized, experienced care that brings families valuable peace of mind. Services Provided By In-Home Non-Medical CaregiversIn-home caregivers provide a variety of services for people who want to live more independently in their own homes. This includes (but is not limited to) the following:
UDS Can Help You Live A Fuller Life With Our Comprehensive Services: Planning & Support – Our dedicated planning & support teams help manage the care and services you need. Personal Care & Independence – We’ve helped people with disabilities live more independently in their own homes since 1965. Enrichment & Life Skills – Our variety of programs is dedicated to building skills for living well with a disability. What Skills Are Needed to Be a Caregiver?Wondering how to be a caregiver for the elderly or people with disabilities? The majority of skills required to be an in-home caregiver are not technical in nature. Instead, you’ll need a desire to help others and a passion for spending time around people. Let’s take a closer look at the soft skills necessary to provide the highest levels of care at home. Selflessness & EmpathySelflessness, empathy, and compassion are perhaps the most important aspects of being an in-home caregiver. Always put the client first and think of how you can elevate their quality of life. The best caregivers form personal relationships with their clients and are invested in their well-being not because they have to be, but because they want to be. Patience & ToleranceThe best in-home caregivers possess patience, tolerance, and understanding. Dealing with seniors can be difficult due to the effects of aging, and clients with disabilities may become frustrated easily. Demonstrating empathy while remaining calm and patient allows you to provide care that eases any stress your clients may be experiencing. FriendlinessWhile it almost goes without saying, an in-home caregiver should also be a friendly, outgoing “people person.” You’ll be interacting with clients for much of the day, so it’s crucial to enjoy one-on-one interactions with others. Trustworthiness & ReliabilityBeing an in-home caregiver also requires high levels of reliability and trustworthiness. Your clients are depending on you to assist them with everyday activities where and when they need you. And because they’re inviting you into their home, it’s crucial that you’re honest and trustworthy. Good Communication SkillsCaring for seniors and people with disabilities requires finely-honed communication skills. Your clients may have trouble expressing their feelings, so it’s crucial that you pay attention to other cues. You’ll also need to listen carefully to what they say, pay close attention to what they do, and act respectfully in their best interests. Organization & Time ManagementStaying organized and paying attention to the little things is also crucial to being a caregiver. This is especially important if your client experiences some sort of emergency. You’ll also need to have good time management skills since you’re essentially your own boss. Prioritizing tasks and making sure everything is completed by the end of your shift ensures that your clients are well taken care of. FlexibilityThe final important soft skill you’ll need to be an in-home caregiver is flexibility. No two clients are the same, and their needs can change on a daily basis. Staying flexible and prepared for sudden changes ensures you’re ready to handle any challenge that comes your way. Benefits of Being a CaregiverThere are many benefits of being an in-home non-medical caregiver for seniors, people with disabilities, and individuals recovering from illnesses or injuries. We’ll answer the question, “why be a caregiver?” in the following section. Rewarding & Satisfying CareerTaking care of those who need it most is extremely rewarding and can provide you with a sense of fulfillment and purpose. You can be proud of the work you’re doing by truly making a difference in the lives of others and the world at large. Nothing feels better than seeing your clients smile and knowing you’re having a positive impact on their mental and emotional health. Caregiving also provides the satisfaction of making an impact that’s far more important than furthering someone’s business interests. You’ll see the tangible effects of your work on a daily basis and know that you’ve lessened the burden on people living with significant challenges. And you’re giving back to the larger community by enriching it with people who may otherwise be excluded. Active Job with a Variety of TasksIf you like doing different tasks during the day and don’t want to be tied to a desk, caregiving is an ideal career. You’ll never have the same day twice, and you’ll benefit from the opportunity to develop new skills, techniques, and practices. Ultimately, caregiving keeps you on your toes and allows you to build connections across many different circumstances. Opportunities for GrowthCaregiving also provides a variety of opportunities for personal and professional growth on the job. You’ll improve your self-confidence and sense of self-worth by making decisions that significantly impact the lives of other people. And listening to your client’s needs can help you boost your interpersonal skills both within and beyond the workplace. Valuable Respite for FamiliesIn some cases, family members take on the responsibility of caring for aging parents or loved ones with disabilities. This can be exhausting, frustrating, and often leads to caregiver burnout. Stepping in and giving tired relatives a break can be very rewarding and helps you bond with your client’s family. Knowing their loved ones are well cared for also provides peace of mind for adult children and frees up more time for them to focus on their other responsibilities. Flexible Schedule & IndependenceAnother benefit of being an in-home caregiver is a flexible schedule and the independence to manage your own schedule. You’ll enjoy flexible hours that work around your family and responsibilities in a comfortable environment that’s essentially like working from home. These benefits are only scratch the surface of being an in-home caregiver but despite these benefits, there is currently a caregiver shortage in the US since the onset of COVID-19. Do You Need Certifications to Be a Caregiver?In most cases, in-home non-medical caregivers don’t need many professional or technical certifications. However, this varies based on a state-by-state basis. Regardless, you won’t be expected to know everything upfront, and you’ll have the opportunity to develop new skills on the job. Most agencies require a background check, drug screening, and transportation verification, though. Learn About In-Home Personal Care Services from UDSIndependent Living Services (ILS) is a division of Accessing Independence, which is a UDS Foundation company. ILS has over 25 years of experience providing vital in-home, non-medical personal care for seniors and people with disabilities. At ILS, our goal is to provide high-quality at-home care that enhances independence and enriches lives. We also offer personal care services for individuals in retirement homes, assisted living communities, and skilled nursing facilities. Who Can Benefit from In-Home Personal Care?A wide range of people can benefit from our compassionate in-home personal care, including:
Services We ProvideIndependent Living Services caregivers provide their clients with a variety of services, such as:
Becoming an ILS CaregiverIf you’re looking for a rewarding career that allows you to make a difference in the lives of others, consider becoming an ILS caregiver. There are many benefits to joining our team, including:
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