In-home Caretaker Services: We’re Ready to Help
What are in-home caretaker services? Is there a difference between a caregiver and a caretaker?
While a caretaker and a caregiver are similar, there are some differences. The terms often get used interchangeably, but there are some essential differences.
An in-home caretaker works in a person’s home to provide extra care provider services. They provide care services for older adults or those with disabilities and work with care teams to provide the best in-home care services.
You may be the primary caregiver for a loved one. You want what is best for them, but the duties of a caregiver can be taxing. A potential caregiver must consider the commitment to care for their loved one. In some cases, it can be more stressful than expected. Caregiving can take much of your mental, physical, and emotional energy.
In some cases, caregivers may feel overwhelmed by the commitment. In this case, a caretaker can help care for your loved one. They can help take some of the stress off your plate or give you a break to recharge. You can take time for yourself or with your family and still provide love and care for your loved one.
The Benefits of In-Home Caretaker Services
Many people are hesitant to send their loved ones to an assisted living facility. They may feel they are leaving their loved ones and abandoning their independence. In-home caretaker services are a great alternative to assisted living or retirement homes.
In-home care is an ideal alternative in these cases. They allow a person to maintain freedom and independence in their home. Depending on your needs, in-home caretakers can provide housekeeping, medical help, and companionship.
Grand Strand Home Care provides in-home caretaker services for our clients. We can help you determine the best in-home care services for your needs. Working with your medical team, we can help determine the best care plan for your needs.
The following article will explain what an in-home caretaker is and their responsibilities. We will also explain different home healthcare options that caretakers can provide.
What is Home Health Care?
Home care involves various services to provide health services. These include medical, assistive, and social aid that you or your loved one may receive.
The focus of these services is to provide prevention, recovery, and assistive living. It provides an alternative to costly care provided by an assisted living facility. In-home caretakers work with medical professionals to develop a care plan. The care plan should also have the client’s and their family’s input. This plan will help provide the best services possible for our clients.
Home health care services are ideal for those who prefer to live at home. It is also an excellent option for those homebound due to health issues.
What is the Difference Between a Caregiver and a Caretaker?
A caregiver and a caretaker have similar responsibilities. But, caregivers are only sometimes compensated for their work and time. Caretakers receive hourly rates as employees.
A caregiver may be an informal role someone plays for their loved one. A caregiver may be an adult child, a neighbor, a friend, or a relative. In these cases, a caregiver is unpaid and instead takes on this role as a personal duty.
A caregiver may work in an informal capacity and provide similar services as caretakers but do these tasks without compensation. They often assist in cooking, cleaning, and other daily living activities. Caregivers provide more emotional support. They usually have a close relationship with the client.
A caretaker is a hired individual who cares for a client’s needs. A caretaker provides direct care for a child, older adult, or disabled adult. A client can hire caretakers directly or through an agency such as Grand Stand Home Care.
Caretakers often include nurses, certified nursing assistants (CNAs), or social workers. They get paid hourly rates, follow a planned schedule, and may have sole responsibility for one person. In some cases, they may have several clients who need their services.
Caregivers and caretakers have similar responsibilities. But, there are some essential differences between the two jobs. A caretaker is always a paid employee. They get paid hourly rates for their services. Still, in-home caretakers often form deep bonds with their clients. They can provide needed companionship for their clients.
What are the Tasks of an In-home Caretaker?
An in-home caretaker provides essential living services for their clients. They may help with daily chores and keep their clients on a routine. Their main job is to make their clients’ lives as easy and comfortable as possible.
In-home caretakers are trained professionals. They help their clients live independently while assisting them in areas of need. They help carry out many day-to-day tasks and provide for their client’s basic needs. Along with this, they can provide needed companionship. Our in-home caretakers strive to have our clients see them rather than as employees. We want to get viewed as members of our families.
What does an in-home caretaker do? What are the specific services they provide?
Some in-home caretaker duties include:
- Routine chores include laundry, washing dishes, and changing linens.
- Grocery shopping
- Light housekeeping, such as taking out the trash
- Meal preparation.
- Create meal plans based on dietary needs.
- Drive clients to medical and other essential appointments.
- Help with daily living activities. These include eating, bathing, grooming, mobility, and toilet needs.
- Assist with getting in and out of wheelchairs and using walkers.
- Check vital signs such as blood pressure, respiration, and pulse.
- Track the client’s physical and mental condition with medical treatment.
- Assist in exercise and physical activity as needed.
- Handle emergencies such as accidents, heart attacks, or strokes.
- Administer first aid care if needed.
- Pick up prescriptions and over-the-counter medication.
- Spend time with the patients in activities such as walks, reading, and playing games.
- Medication reminders and assistance.
- Operate specific medical equipment such as ventilators with proper training.
Tailored Care on Your Schedule
Your in-home caretaker provides regular services and follows a regular schedule. This often depends on the needs of the client. Sometimes, they may need help only in the morning or evening. Other times, the client may need more around-the-clock support. A team may work shifts in those cases to provide the required care.
An in-home caretaker can provide personal care, meals, and household chores. Personal care services can consist of toilet duties and bathing if needed.
Depending on the client’s needs, these services can get customized. For example, meal preparation may not be a concern. Yet, a client may need help bringing laundry up and down stairs.
In-home caretakers can provide medical services if they are nurses or CNAs. This help can include medical treatment for injuries and wound care. An in-home caretaker can help check their clients’ blood pressure and blood sugar and help with medication and other medical needs.
Along with these services, in-home caretakers can also provide companionship. While this is not a primary duty of a caretaker, they often build strong bonds with their clients. This extra can be a great emotional support for clients living alone.
Depending on their client’s needs, the time an in-home caretaker spends may differ. Some clients may need a few hours with their morning routine. Others may need full-time shift work, in which they may have more than one caregiver. Still, some clients may benefit from live-in care.
What Makes a Good In-home Caretaker?
Several characteristics make an excellent in-home caretaker. At Grand Stand Home Care, we ensure our clients have the best caretakers. Our goal is to ensure that our care recipient receives the best services possible.
Some characteristics we look for include the following:
- Ability to arrive on time and on scheduled days.
- They exhibit a positive and kind demeanor.
- Respect a client’s privacy, boundaries, and dignity.
- Communicate with our client and their family.
- Complete all tasks and responsibilities when on the clock.
A good caretaker also possesses a growth mindset. They should always seek to improve their craft. We encourage our caretakers to attend extra training and seek out other certifications. Doing so helps keep our team on top of advancements.
The ideal in-home caretaker has a passion for caring for others. The best caretakers not only take care of the needs of their clients but care for them. Our caretakers want to get seen as something other than an employee but as part of your family. They are there to provide care and companionship for their clients.
Obtaining In-home Caretaker Services
Many people prefer to age in the comfort of their homes. In-home caretakers can help them to live as independent a life as possible. They can assist with basic needs. Caretakers help to make their client’s home environment as comfortable as possible.
You can enjoy your life with the help and support of our in-home caretaker services. Our caretaker team can help you devise a plan that suits your needs. If you or your loved one needs in-home caretaker services, contact Grand Strand Home Care in Myrtle Beach, SC.