Types of Caregivers

The need for a caregiver can be an emotionalon what is required by the patient or the family.
decision, but there are a range of professionalsFor instance, there are Companions or Assistant
available to assist for the various types of carecaregivers who are those that can visit the
neededperson, who may or may not be living alone, and
When caring for a loved one there may comeprovide company and help with household tasks
appoint when assistance is needed, whether it isand chores including:
medical or simply help caring for their daily needs.* Grocery shopping
When it comes to deciding on hiring a caregiver,* Cleaning
there is a range of trained professionals available* Caring for any animals (i.e. walking a dog)
that are able offer help in these difficult situations.* Cooking
Nursing Assistance* Personal Hygiene assistance
This can come in the form of Licensed PracticalFor those who require more assistance but are
Nurses, Licensed Vocational Nurses, andstill able to live on their own or with family, there
Registered Nurses who all have slightly differentare Personal Care Assistants who will do much
qualifications and experience. Essentially Licensedthe same as Companions although generally
Practical Nurses and Licensed Vocational Nursesspeaking they should have more medical
are trained in certain skilled nursing procedures,experience such as trained in First Aid, home
yet they are required to work under thesafety and body mechanics.
supervision of a Registered Nurse who has moreHealth Aides
extensive education and experience. What thisHome Health Aides or Certified Nurse's Aides are
means is you are looking to hire a caregiver iswell trained in the basic of the nursing profession
that a Registered Nurse will generally be neededand rehabilitation therapy and are well equipped to
for patients who are very unwell and need thatprovide medical services including pulse and blood
higher level of care, although the cost of hiringpressure monitoring, physical exercises and in-bed
such a nurse will usually be higher.care. While not qualified to decide on medicinal
Nurses are able to perform tasks such asamounts, they are able to dispense pre-measured
administer medications, care for any injuries ormedicines and treatments as advised by a
wounds and supervise any medical equipment,Registered Nurse. They will also be able to provide
with them often being used as a step beforehealth reports on the patient to any health
nursing homes or retirement homes.professionals.
Rehabilitation AssistanceSocial Workers
Rehabilitation assistance will be needed for patientsSocial workers are able to provide help from the
who may have suffered a stroke or an accidentdecision to pursue the assistance of a health
and need to rebuild up their motor skills. This mayprofessional as they are able to assess the
require the assistance of Physical Therapists,situation and the patient and advise on what level
Occupational Therapists or Speech Therapists.of care may be required. What's more, medical
This sort of care can either be at home or at thesocial workers are able to provide the family with
therapy centre, depending on how mobile thethe names of community resources that can
patient is and how often they require a therapyoffer help while also extending their care to the
session.family of the patient and offer counselling services
Care Assistanceif necessary.
Care assistance can take many forms depending