How to Prepare for a Career as a Caregiver
Professional caregiving is an excellent career path for individuals seeking rewarding work, flexible scheduling, competitive hourly pay, and growth opportunities. While a desirable career for many, not every individual becomes a successful caregiver. However, with the proper preparation, you can set yourself up for success as you make the transition work with Visiting Angels.
Educate yourself on professional caregiving
Before dedicating yourself to working as a professional caregiver, it’s vital to understand what it means to be a professional caregiver. Professional caregivers provide nonmedical assistance to clients to help them live safely and comfortably. At Visiting Angels, we provide at-home aid, meaning our caregivers go to clients’ homes and help them with tasks like light housekeeping, meal preparations, laundry, or running errands. Some clients may require more hands-on help with personal grooming, bathing, or toileting. Caregivers may also specialize in their care, working specifically with clients with dementia or in hospice.
Spending time volunteering
Caregiving is selfless work. Your primary role as a caregiver is to make clients’ lives more enjoyable, livable, and safe. Volunteering is a beautiful way to gain the essence of caregiving and ensure the work is the right fit for you. You can volunteer at a local senior center, shelter, community center, religious organization, or school.
Not only will volunteering help you learn what it means to provide services to those in need, but it’ll also help you sharpen the skills and qualities you’ll need as a caregiver. Volunteering will help you learn if you need to work on communication, leadership, organization, or empathy.
Network with other caregivers
One of the best ways to prepare for any career transition is to network with people with the job you want. Reach out to caregivers in your community and talk to them about their work. Ask them questions about what they love, and seek guidance for how they handle difficult days. Inquire about the skills they use most often and what advice they wish someone told them as they started their new career.
If you don’t know any professional caregivers, talk to family caregivers in your circle who spent time caring for an aging loved one. They may not have received compensation for their work, but they’ll have insights into what it takes to care for another individual.
Sharpen your communication skills
You’ll need many skills to work as a professional caregiver, but one of the primary skills is communication. Having strong communication skills is key to building trusting relationships with your clients. It’s also essential for building trust with the Visiting Angels office staff and your fellow caregivers. Consider joining a few online webinars or reading communication textbooks to ensure you know how to effectively and efficiently communicate.
Ready to start a professional caregiving career with Visiting Angels? Our Flagstaff office hires caregivers to work with families in Flagstaff, Payson, ShowLow, and the surrounding communities. If you’re interested in learning more, send us your information or call 928-220-4100.