The first word that comes to mind for many people when someone mentions ‘carers’ is probably nurses, but carers can come in all different shapes and sizes. There are many types of carers, and the term also includes unpaid work and informal caregivers.
Caregivers are also often the backbone and heart of their communities, whether it be in a professional environment, volunteering, or caring for family/friends. It’s estimated that more than 65 million Americans provide care for a family member or friend during any given year.
In a professional capacity, there are over 4.5 million direct care workers providing care for people through home visits, in residential care homes, nursing homes, and hospitals. Despite this, they are often the unsung heroes of healthcare.
That’s why it’s important to celebrate events like national nurses appreciation day and to tell people who act as informal caregivers that their work is appreciated. This article covers the different types of carers, so you can understand more about what they do.
If you’re arranging home care for a loved one, understanding the difference between the various types of caregivers can also be beneficial. It’ll make the decision process less daunting and help you make a more informed decision.
What is a carer?
A carer, also known as a caregiver, is best defined as an individual who provides support and assistance to another person who is unable to fully care for themselves. This could be due to age, disability, illness, or some other circumstance.
The support a carer can provide will vary and can encompass a range of activities, like personal care, medical care, or companionship. The different types of carers also generally fall into two broad categories: informal caregivers and professional caregivers.
An informal caregiver is a person, most commonly a friend or family member, who provides care within a home setting without being employed for that specific purpose. Within this category, there are different types, for example, volunteer carers who aren’t being paid.
A professional caregiver, sometimes called a formal caregiver, is an individual who is trained and paid for providing their services. This category includes a wide range of roles, such as nurses and home health aides. They can also work in a variety of settings and aren’t just limited to in-home care.
Examples of informal caregivers
Because informal caregivers can come from various backgrounds and relationships, it makes the dynamic between them and the person they’re caring for unique. No two informal caregivers will have the same duties and relationship.
Examples of informal caregivers include:
A spouse or partner
Adult children
Siblings
Friends
Volunteers
Informal caregivers are most common for providing general companionship and daily living support. When it comes to care requiring a qualification or specific expertise, for example, rehabilitation after surgery, it’s recommended to hire a trained professional.
Types of professional caregivers
Professional caregivers typically have more defined roles and relationships compared to their informal counterparts. This is because they’re individuals who have received formal training and education, and are hired to perform duties based on their expertise.
The different settings a professional caregiver can work in include:
Hospitals (e.g., rehabilitation and palliative care)
Assisted living facilities
Aged care facilities (nursing homes)
In-home care
Retirement communities
Specialized clinics or programs
A few examples of professional caregivers include:
Disability support workers
Aged care workers
Nurses and nurse assistants
Mental health support workers
Professional caregivers are a great option for a client who requires a higher level of care beyond emotional support and/or personal care. For example, nurses may have the ability to administer medication and provide health-related services.
What’s right for you?
Ultimately, the right type of caregiver for a person and situation will depend on the circumstances. There is no ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to carers. It’s possible that the ‘right’ decision might even be a combination of professional and informal caregivers.
In this article, we’ve covered many different types of caregivers, which is a great start to making an informed decision. Other factors you should consider in the process include:
Support & level of care required: Whether the person requiring care needs general help in daily life or the expertise of a trained professional should also be factored into the decision.
Duration of care: How long the individual will require care is another factor to consider. Will they require short-term or long-term care? This can help you decide whether professional help or informal services are right for you.
Finances: A major factor to consider when deciding on formal vs informal care is budget. Hiring professional caregiver(s) can get expensive, especially if they’re not covered by healthcare coverage or government support.
Time: Especially if you or another friend/family member is considering providing informal care, time constraints are important to consider. Caregiving can be time-consuming, and especially hard to schedule if you have pre-existing commitments, like work.
It’s also critical to consider the preferences of the person receiving care. They must be comfortable with the care provider and services being received. For example, some people may not feel comfortable with informal care.
Similarly, some individuals may prefer informal care over professional assistance. If they aren’t comfortable with the services and provider, this can impact the quality of care and be detrimental.
The importance of carers
With the United States facing a rapidly aging population, carers—both professional and informal—are more important than ever. Statistics show that more than 1 in 6 Americans is 65 or older.
Besides the rising number of older people, the country is also facing a steady rise in chronic conditions. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over half of the population has at least one chronic disease.
The country is also facing a mental health crisis, with data showing youth in particular are at risk. Statistics show that one in five American adults experienced symptoms of mood disorders, and two in five high school students report feeling sadness/hopelessness in 2023.
Despite common belief, carers aren’t only for the elderly. Caregivers exist for all age ranges and demographics. They are also playing a crucial role on the front lines, helping people across the nation with the above-listed crises.
The growing concerns regarding the aging population, the rise of chronic conditions, and the mental health crisis also highlight how carers are the heart of American communities. They play an irreplaceable role in supporting our country’s most vulnerable.
Related: A Senior’s Guide to Supporting a Partner Through a Health Issue
The post The Heart of the Community: A Look at the Roles of Different Carers appeared first on The Next Hint.