Caring for other people is a noble calling. Caring for senior citizens and the disabled specifically is an act of love and humanity that requires empathy, selflessness, and compassion.
Still, it can be difficult to understand what the best ways to care for the elderly are. For instance, directly caring for the elderly, ensuring they are comfortable, and providing emotional support differs from ensuring they have a certified professional nurse aide helping to coordinate their medical care with a team of professionals.
NC CareGivers aims to differentiate caregivers, CNAs, and caretakers. If you have a calling to care for the elderly or disabled, read on to learn the differences between roles.
What Is the Difference Between a Caregiver and a Caretaker?
Caretaker and caregiver are two terms that are often used interchangeably, but refer to different professions in the field of caregiving. The difference between the two is significant, and it’s important to understand the distinctions so you can choose the right person to care for your loved one.
A caregiver is a professional or a family member who provides care, support, and assistance to individuals who are unable to perform daily activities on their own due to age, disability, or illness. They are trained and equipped with the necessary skills to provide medical, emotional, and practical support to their clients. For instance, this may include ensuring they live in a safe and comfortable environment, handling their finances, and doing household chores. A CNA is a caregiver who has had professional training and has received their nurse aide certification.
A caretaker is a person who is responsible for the maintenance, upkeep, and protection of a property, animal, or person. Unlike a caregiver, a caretaker is not necessarily trained in providing medical or emotional support. They may be responsible for tasks such as cleaning, repairing, and securing a property, feeding and caring for animals, or providing basic care for a person who is unable to perform daily activities on their own.
While caretaking can be a part of caregiving, in general, caregiving invokes a more emotional and personal connection with the individual being cared for. In contrast, caretaking focuses on helping people meet their practical day-to-day needs.
Roles of a Caregiver
The duties and responsibilities of a caregiver largely depend on their relationship with the cared person and the kind of support they need. In many cases, the caregiver is an unpaid family member tasked with caring, empowering, and encouraging the person needing care. Other roles include:
- Assisting the cared person with toiletry activities, including bathing, exercising, dressing, and eating.
- Providing general care such as administering medications and making and taking them to appointments.
- Helping the cared-for persons to make choices based on available alternatives.
- Supporting their person in making independent decisions.
- Managing appointments and coordinating with healthcare providers.
- Offering companionship, emotional support, and supervising their actions.
- Advising the cared persons’ loved ones and family members on how to connect with and provide support and encouragement.
Key Differences Between a Caregiver and Caretaker
Caretakers typically provide caring services for as long the situation calls for it. On the other hand, caregivers accept their responsibility to help and view the opportunity as an honor. Caregivers often go above and beyond to ensure the comfort and well-being of the persons they care for, whereas caretakers limit their services to what their job requires of them.
Ultimately, the main difference between a caregiver and caretaker is the focus of their role. A caregiver focuses on providing care and support to those in need, whether as a family member or as a certified nurse aide working with a medical team in a skilled nursing facility. Caretakers focus on maintenance, upkeep, and daily tasks.
How to Choose the Right Caregiver or Caretaker
Choosing the right caretaker or caregiver for your loved one living at home is an important decision that requires careful consideration. Here are some factors to consider when making your decision:
The most important consideration when choosing the right caregiver or caretaker is the needs of the elderly or disabled adult to be cared for in their home. Everyone has unique needs, and knowing them can go a long way to helping you make the right decision.
Secondly, understand the financial demands of the caregivers and caretakers. Taking care of an older loved one can be demanding, which may influence how much the care may cost. As a rule of thumb, compare the roles of a caregiver and weigh them against the needs of the person to be cared for to make the right decision.
Join the NC CareGivers Program and Make a Difference in the Lives of Others
If you are looking forward to starting a career in caring for the elderly or disabled as a profession, then your first step should be to understand the roles of caregiver vs. caretaker. If you are in North Carolina and wish to make a difference in the lives of senior citizens in the state, choose the right program to become a Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) as a first step to building a career as a caregiver.
The NC CareGivers program is designed to help caring individuals start a new career in health care. Should you choose to register for the program, you will be eligible to receive 100% reimbursed training and testing costs. When you complete your education, you will be added to the official Nurse Aide Registry, which makes you eligible for a $500 retention bonus from participating skilled nursing facilities after six months on the job, full- or part-time.
Are you ready to make a difference in the lives of others and join the NC CareGivers program?
If you are, contact NC CareGivers today to join the right program to nurture your passion for caring for others into a vibrant career.