How to become a good elderly caregiver?
How to become a good elderly caregiver? Empathy, respect and dedication are essential attributes in caring for the elderly. As we mentioned previously, According to 2021 data, more than 55.8 million adults ages 65 and older live in the U.S., accounting for about 16.8% of the nation’s population. By 2040, that proportion is projected to grow to 22%.
This is why the profession of caring for the elderly is so important and necessary in the current reality of the country. To become an excellent professional, in addition to preserving the characteristics described above, it is necessary to be up to date in work techniques, in order to offer basic care to promote the health of the elderly. For this, a specialization course in the area is very important, in order to know all the techniques and scope of care.
In addition to theoretical knowledge, the elderly caregiver must be a calm and patient person. Patience, in fact, is the key to this profession. Since the individual may have their abilities compromised, being tolerant is essential, knowing how to respect the elderly person’s limitations and also stimulating them as much as possible. Having knowledge about common diseases in this age group, such as Alzheimer’s disease, can also be a differentiator, as it will facilitate the care routine, as well as understanding some everyday situations. Affectionate listening and proactivity in everyday life we know that elderly people have a great need to be heard.
At this stage of life, it is common for people to feel more alone and not have the company they need to share their ideas. Therefore, it is also the role of the caregiver to be a good listener, allowing the elderly person to stimulate their speech and memory, always with affectionate listening practiced by the professional. Proactivity is also essential in this profession. Basic care can range from helping with simple everyday situations, such as getting out of bed, taking a shower, eating, to even helping with more bureaucratic issues, such as going to the doctor or understanding medication instructions. In general, the profession of caring for the elderly requires tolerance, patience and a lot of empathy. But beyond that, it is essential to be responsible and attentive to situations that may occur on a daily basis.
How much do elderly caregivers get paid in UK?
There is no minimum salary for the profession of caring for the elderly and this affect the professional when being hired, as it is not yet a regulated profession, but rather a professional occupation, the caregiver falls into the category of domestic employees.
According to research, the average caregiver salary in the United Kingdom is £23,417 per year or £12.01 per hour. The value is very low for a professional with the responsibility of taking care of the health and life of an elderly person. The research also shows that specialized companies offer better remuneration, depending on the size of the company.
How many hours does an elderly caregiver work?
There is no defined workload for elderly caregivers. In fact, each elderly patient and family has different needs and requires different care time. In most cases, the caregiver works between 6 and 12 hours a day, with rest shifts of 12 to 36 hours.
There are professionals who work 24 or 48 hours directly with the elderly, but these shifts are not recommended. After all, work overload causes tiredness and high stress in caregivers and impairs the quality of their work in caring for the elderly’s health.
It is not recommended that the caregiver works every day, without a day off , for example. The best option, when the elderly person needs daily care, is for two or more professionals to provide care alternately so as not to overload the caregiver.
Remember that to take care of someone’s health, the caregiver needs to take care of their own health! Today there is a high rate of development of Burnout Syndrome among caregivers. Also known as “professional burnout syndrome”, this disorder is caused by extreme exhaustion as a result of overwork and can harm the individual in all spheres of their personal life.
Therefore, if you are or want to be a caregiver, or even want to hire a caregiver, pay attention to work shifts to avoid future problems. The best option is always to work with or hire a company, such as Personale dados, which has experience in hiring and managing caregivers, offering the best experience for those who work and those who hire.
Who needs an elderly caregiver
In practice, all elderly people who live alone or with an elderly spouse without family members nearby need a professional caregiver to help with daily routines, prevent domestic accidents and develop autonomy in a safe way.
However, there is a misunderstanding in which many families believe that a caregiver is only necessary when the elderly person becomes dependent or after a serious health event (fracture, stroke, heart attack, etc.). This happens because we are not in the habit of preventing, but trying to correct a situation after the error.
So if you have parents, grandparents, uncles or other family members who are aging, you need a caregiver! You need a caregiver now to ensure the safety and health of your loved ones, preventing accidents that could seriously compromise your family member’s abilities and health.