What Is Caregiving?
It's not uncommon for adult children to take care of their elderly parents or loved ones when they are no longer able to. It can take a toll on a family caregiver's personal life when this happens. If a caregiver is not prepared to take on all the roles a caregiver must play, caring for one's own family can be a high-stress profession. Caregiving can be a challenging profession.
Almost every family faces a similar situation today. Children and friends often drain themselves caring for their elderly relatives, whether it's their aging parents or their elderly friends. For family caregivers who wish to assist their elderly relatives in living a functional, beautiful life, there is another option.
Generally speaking, there are five types of caregivers in the medical world today. Professional caregivers can administer care in a variety of ways. They may have a wide array of skills, from administering medications to assisting elderly people with daily tasks.
Nurses, for example, can assist elderly patients, while unlicensed assistants can cook meals for grandma. You and your family may have a hard time choosing between two caregivers, but simple research into each type of caregiver's roles and responsibilities may ease the burden. BrightStar Care of Melbourne offers a large selection of each of these positions, so your loved one can get a smooth transition into home care.
Five Different Types of Caregivers
Registered Nurse (RN)
A registered nurse (RN) is one of the most well-known professional caregivers in the world. They work in hospitals, but may also care for elderly people in their homes. In addition to delivering the highest level of expertise directly to the patient's family, this choice also allows the patient to remain at home.
A registered nurse is an expert in the field. While in practice, they must pass a state certification test and continue their education. As a result of their education, nurses can handle a wider range of medical issues, especially in cases of acute and specific cases. It is the responsibility of registered nurses to monitor the patient's symptoms and make sure the medication is taken on time.
Along with fulfilling the aforementioned duties, they are also responsible for educating the patient's family, developing treatment plans, and performing many other important duties. In addition to providing families with doctor's orders from a variety of specialists, registered nurses also assist them in making the best decision possible for their loved ones based on a broad picture painted by doctors from a variety of specialties.
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
The number of abilities that Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) possess are significantly smaller than what you might find in a typical nurse, as they have undergone less training to get their license than registered nurses. Nevertheless, these nurses still administer essential services such as immunizations, diagnosis, and treatment planning. In-home care, licensed practical nurses can provide attention to patients who have visible needs but don't require the supervision of a registered nurse. These nurses manage stress well and can multitask, make decisions, and provide care in the home for patients who don't require the attention of a registered nurse.
Licensed Nursing Assistant (LNA)
Licensed nursing assistants (LNAs), also known as Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), share some of the same duties as LPNs. They communicate with patients clearly, record diets, and record vital signs, among other duties. The nurses with this level of training do not perform as complex medical tasks as RNs or LPNs since they have less training.
LNAs are considered entry-level hospital employees, so they can work at home and provide hospital-level care but are unable to perform the same tasks as Registered Nurses or LPNs. Families seeking basic informed care for their loved ones, but without the full expertise of a registered nurse, may find a licensed practical nurse (LPN) to be a good match.
Home Health Aid (HHA)
Those searching for an additional level of care can turn to Home Health Aid (HHA). Home health aids often work with elderly, sick, or disabled individuals. Thus, a home health aide has less experience handling major medical issues, even though they can assist with daily chores, housekeeping, and medical scheduling. Home health aids, however, have experience working with patients with different needs, so they can provide more care than a family member.
Caregiver
Lastly, professional caregivers are the least trained and least trained options. They do not have formal medical training. In addition to talking with patients, they assist them in taking medicines and keep track of things like body temperature and unusual behavior. There are a lot of advantages to having a simple caretaker. They are primarily concerned with maintaining the mental health of their patients and fostering relationships between them and their caregivers. A caregiver may be the right choice if you need someone to watch over the patient and monitor them, not to assist with complicated medical issues.
Which Caregiver Is Right for You?
The challenge of taking on caregiving responsibilities can be overwhelming for many families, but it does not have to continue. In-home caregiving offers caregivers a variety and range of skills, while also offering a safe and healthy alternative. It is crucial to consider the type of environment a caregiver comes from when searching for the right caregiver for you and your family.
A compassionate and friendly environment awaits all five types of nurses at BrightStar Care of Salt Lake City. BrightStar Care of Salt Lake City can help you find the right caregiver for your family, whether it is an unlicensed but loving caregiver or a registered nurse.