Caregiver duties and responsibilities
who is a caregiver?
An individual who provides care to an elder (typically someone with a chronic
condition) can be referred to as a caregiver. Caregivers are responsible for
the health and safety of the elder in their care, as well as providing them
with help with daily life.
They often provide support services, which may include teaching the elder how to live independently by taking over household chores or assisting them with completing tasks that they are no longer able to do on their own.
In order to adequately provide care for an individual with a
disability, it is not just enough to have a loving and caring attitude.
Caregivers need the right tools and knowledge base in order to facilitate a
healthy relationship between themselves and the person they are looking after.
A good caregiver will have a high level of empathy,
dedication, patience, resourcefulness, and vigilance in order to provide
effective care for their charge.
The caregiver can be a paid or unpaid person, depending on the responsibilities.
What are the Responsibilities of Caregivers?
The following are the duties of caregivers:
1) Providing personal care
A caregiver is responsible for providing personal care for the person they are caring for. This includes cooking meals, doing laundry, and ensuring basic hygiene. For example, they might put on new clothes or bathe someone who can’t do it by themselves.
Keeping a patient clean, neat, and comfortable is imperative to their improvement in physical or mental stability. Even if the patient is not aware of his surroundings, it is important for caregivers to keep them as comfortable as possible, providing activities for their entertainment and making sure they have food and water.
2) Assisting with activities of daily living (ADLs)
Caretakers are often responsible for assisting the individual with activities of daily living. This includes hygiene, dressing, and feeding, to name a few. These responsibilities can be carried out in either a private or public setting and last anywhere from 3 to 24 hours per day.
3) Supporting the person with dementia emotionally
A caretaker’s support of the person with dementia is crucial in maintaining a positive, healthy mental state. Caregivers must be mindful of how they approach their loved one, considering what might trigger an emotional response in them.
It is important to maintain pleasantries and positivity when communicating with them even if negative comments are made by the person with dementia. They should not be over-analysed or taken too seriously, but instead viewed as part of the natural progression of the disease.
4) Helping with psychological issues
A caregiver also often bears the responsibility for assisting with psychological issues, which can take a heavy toll on a person’s mental health. This can be a stressful role for some, especially if they are not trained in psychology, but it is achievable with some patience and compassion.
This includes assisting the elderly patient in coping with major life changes such as retirement, death of loved ones, and loss of independence.
5) Managing social interactions
A caregiver’s responsibilities are to provide companionship for patients who are unable to socialize on their own, this includes having conversations with the patient, playing games with them, or providing emotional support.
These roles are not always easy both mentally and physically, but they are crucial for the well-being of the patient.
6) Maintaining the safety
A caregiver’s responsibilities in maintaining and promoting the safety and well-being of the client.
The caregiver is in charge of managing the client’s safety, ensuring they are always safe, and maintaining their health. They ensure that accidents do not happen by making sure there is no clutter around them and that slippery surfaces are covered up so they don’t slip.
What Are the Duties of a Caretaker for Mentally Disabled?
A caretaker for a mentally disabled individual is responsible for caring for their overall needs, such as feeding, bathing and helping them to stay clean. They also instruct the person on how to complete daily tasks, such as brushing teeth or preparing a meal.
The caretaker may also need to help them with their medication or assist in taking it, as some medications can be taken orally or by injection.
What Is a Live-In Caregiver?
Because the patient is the only one getting care, live-in care provides for regular one-on-one engagement between client and caregiver.
Living-in caregivers can provide all of the services available in assisted living, but in the client’s own home, avoiding the need for a potentially stressful relocation.
In-home prepared meals, medication monitoring, transportation, social interaction, and other vital services can be provided by live-in caretakers.
The advantages of live-in care are that elders may live in their native environment and achieve complete independence. Family members can stay along with them and friends can visit them as per their convenience.
Who is a Lead- Care Giver?
The Lead Care Giver serves as a counsellor, advisor, trainer, and mentor to the elderly. A lead care-giver is someone who has responsibility for the emotional, social, and physical well-being of one or more individuals.
They ensure that the individual has the resources they need to maintain their health and independence so they can maintain their desired lifestyle.
Caregiver duties after open heart surgery
A caregiver’s duties after open heart surgery could include providing a safe environment, visiting the hospital frequently to ensure there is no infection or other complications, and communicating with doctors.
After open heart surgery, a caregiver needs to monitor for post-operative complications. A caregiver should also assess the patient’s general physical and mental well-being, as well as their nutritional status.
The caregiver should assist with the administration of prescribed medications and help with safety measures such as ensuring that all wires and tubes are out of harm way. They should offer encouragement and support throughout the recovery process.