In order to become a caregiver, you must build strong interpersonal skills and have nearly infallible patience. Most caregivers have less medical training than nurses, but some highly qualified individuals may work as personal care assistants. The duties of a caregiver depend on the person involved, but most of the time this job requires grooming the client, assisting with simple medical procedures, and performing some basic life duties. Essentially, the caregiver takes care of the client in precisely the ways he or she needs assistance.
There are many professions that involve providing care to people in need and many life situations in which a person might become a caregiver informally. When a person finds that he or she enjoys the intensely personal nature of providing care, it is possible to turn caregiving into a profession. This job is perfect for people who are immune to stress and love working with elderly and disabled people. A person who is more susceptible to caregiver stress might find that a less personal caregiving opportunity makes a better professional solution.
Training required to become a caregiver depends on the situation. Some personal care assistants require no special training, although basic health skills can be useful. In many cases, all that is required to become a caregiver is connecting with the client in a special way. The client must often trust his or her caregiver to assist with personal health and must rely on the caregiver for mobility assistance. Many elderly people are much more comfortable with people they feel they can talk to, even if the person does not have the highest qualifications.
The most difficult part when trying to become a caregiver is establishing work history. Getting started in this field can be difficult, and one way to break in is to volunteer with hospices in order to establish work history. Finding jobs involves looking at job websites and help-wanted advertisements. Most of the time, caregivers who work with established facilities must have higher qualifications than those who work in homes, and getting these qualifications can be helpful when looking for a job.
Working as a caregiver can be stressful, and even seasoned professionals may sometimes feel overworked and stressed. When a person becomes a caregiver, he or she must have an appropriate support network in order to deal with these feelings of frustration. Stress that remains problematic can cause a caregiver to break down or even enact abuse on patients. Becoming a caregiver requires preparation and constant monitoring of the worker's health, as this job is often considered very difficult to handle in the long term.