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Types of Caregivers

November 8, 2023

Understanding the types of caregivers and services available to your loved ones is critical to ensuring they get the support they need. At Best Care, we want to help you decide on the kind of care best suited to your family's needs. 

5 Types of Caregiving Professionals

In this article, we'll focus on 5 types of caregiving services typically provided within homes. Please note that other kinds of professional caregivers work in facilities such as, nursing homes and assisted living facilities

Family Caregivers

A family caregiver provides home care services to a loved one, typically because they have a close personal relationship. Care may be required due to:

  • A disability
  • An illness
  • Other type of impairment

Many caregivers assist elderly family members, such as parents, grandparents, aunts, or uncles. Other times, family caregivers are supporting a loved one with special needs or a mental disability. These caregivers could be the relatives or the siblings of a care recipient. 

Family caregivers often do not receive payment for their services. At Best Care, we're working to change this trend!

Professional Caregivers

A professional caregiver is typically not related to the recipient of care. They have been specially trained to provide home care for people who need it. These caregivers usually work for an agency hired to provide the required support. 

Independent Caregivers

An independent caregiver provides the same kind of support as a family or professional caregiver. Still, instead of working through an agency, they are hired directly by the individual (or the family) needing their services. 

Respite Caregivers

When a family caregiver is providing the primary care services, they often need a break to avoid burnout in their demanding role. A respite caregiver offers temporary relief for caregivers responsible for caring for a loved one with a disability, illness, or other special needs. 

Respite caregivers can be hired through an agency or directly by the family. 

Home Health Caregivers

While home health care takes place in a home, it is usually short-term (2-4 weeks). A home health caregiver provides services on a short-term basis, such as: 

  • Rehabilitation 
  • Physical Therapy 
  • Supervised Administration of Medications
  • Monitoring of Medications
  • Pain management
  • Injections
  • Nursing

Home health caregivers typically have a nursing degree or medical certification to perform the required duties. 

Get the Caregiving Support You Deserve

At Best Care, we're here to help answer all your questions related to home care services and planning. We understand that every family's needs are unique, and we're ready to provide the guidance you need to navigate the world of caregiving!

Contact us today or browse our helpful resources for clients and caregivers.

Young caregiver taking selfie with elderly woman.
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