General duties

A caregiver helps senior and disabled people with activities of daily living (ADLs). These consist of eating, bathing, dressing and toileting (getting on and off the toilet and performing personal hygiene functions).  ADLs also include transferring (getting in and out of bed or chair) and maintaining continence (controlling bladder and bowel functions).

Caregivers also observe their clients and escalate the situation when there is a change in their condition.

A top caregiver goes an extra mile

• Focuses all available time on the client, avoiding distractions such as a cell phone or TV.
• Continuously educates himself or herself on topics relevant to health, medicine and caregiving.
• Becomes a specialist in one or more areas of caregiving, such as dementia care, wound care or mobility.
• Communicates efficiently and effectively with family and healthcare providers, becoming a client advocate and representative.
• Provides companionships as opposed to mere presence.

Special services

In some cases, the following services may be provided:

• Cooking
• Grooming
• Medication management
• Transportation
• Housekeeping