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What You Need to Know About Hiring the Right Caregiver for Your Loved One

August 26, 2022
Adult children often have to take on the responsibility of caring for their aging parents or elderly loved ones when they can no longer care for themselves. This can negatively impact the caregiver's personal life, as it might be difficult to balance time with their own family and managing a career. Caregiving is also generally a high-stress profession, so it's important to be prepared before taking on all of the roles that come with being a caregiver.

Today's families face many of the same challenges. Children and friends, as well as aging parents, frequently devote themselves to caring for their elderly relatives. There is, however, another alternative for family caregivers who wish to support their family members in living full, enjoyable lives.

Caregivers play a vital role in today's society, and there are many ways they can administer care. Generally speaking, medical professionals have five different types of caregivers They can do anything from administering medications to assisting elderly patients with their day-to-day tasks. Each caregiver has their own set of skills that they bring to the table. For example, registered nurses might help an elderly patient with day-to-day activities while unlicensed assistants can prepare meals. Choosing between the two types of caregivers can be difficult, but by researching each type's roles and responsibilities, you and your family can make a more informed decision. With a large selection of each of these positions, BrightStar Care of Hackensack is here to make home care for your loved one a simple and smooth transition.
 

Five Different Types of Caregivers

Registered Nurse (RN)

The registered nurse (RN) is the most popular professional caregiver. Registered nurses not only work in hospitals but also frequently visit elderly patients in their own homes. Bringing this level of expertise directly to the families' doorsteps allows the patient to remain at home comfortably instead of being relocated.
Registered nurses are highly trained experts who must pass a state certification test and continue their education to keep up with the latest medical advancements. Nurses are better able to handle a variety of tasks as a result of their education, particularly for those with more acute and particular issues. Registered nurses execute simple caregiving operations such as monitoring symptoms and ensuring that the patient receives his or her normal dose of medicine. They are also responsible for instructing the family about the patient's status, developing medical treatment plans, and performing numerous other essential duties in addition to fulfilling the aforementioned responsibilities. Registered nurses also give families doctor's orders from a variety of specialists to paint a broad picture and assist them to make the best decision possible for their loved ones.
 

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

Different from registered nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) have undergone less training to receive their licenses. The number of abilities that these nurses have is significantly lower than what you may find in a typical nurse. Despite this, these nurses still conduct essential operations such as immunization administration, patient diagnosis, and the creation of a treatment plan. Licensed practical nurses often work with teams and can manage their stress levels, multitask, and make decisions well. These nurses can provide in-home care for patients with noticeable needs that do not warrant the watch of a registered nurse.
 

Licensed Nursing Assistant (LNA)

Licensed nursing assistants (CNAs), also referred to as LNAs, generally have a few of the same job responsibilities as an LPN. These include being able to communicate effectively with patients, keeping track of patient diets, and monitoring vitals. These nurses have less training than an LPN, so they cannot perform more complex medical tasks like a registered nurse or an LPN does. Because the position of LNA is regarded as an entry-level hospital job, they can work in-home providing hospital-level care, but they are not able to do the same tasks as RNs or LPNs. A licensed practical nurse (LPN) may be a good fit for families seeking basic, informed care for their loved ones, but not the full expertise of a registered nurse.


Home Health Aide (HHA)

There is the Home Health Aide (HHA) for families searching for one step up from what they can do for their loved ones. Elderly, sick, or disabled individuals are frequently the focus of home health aides. While they may help patients with basic activities, housekeeping, and medical scheduling, a home health aide has less expertise in assisting with major medical issues. Because the home health aide has worked with clients with specific needs before, she can give more care than a family member at home.
 

Caregiver

The last and least-trained alternative is the professional caregiver. These healthcare professionals have no medical training. Rather, they engage with their patients, help them take medicines, and keep track of such things as body temperature and unusual behavior in their patients. The benefits of having a simple caretaker are numerous. One excellent example is that they focus almost entirely on maintaining the patient's mental health and strengthening patient-caregiver relationships. If the need is for someone to watch and monitor the patient, not to help with complex medical issues, a caregiver may be the right fit.
 

Which Caregiver Is Right for You?

Many people face similar issues of taking on the responsibilities of caregiving and experiencing a sudden intense amount of stress, yet these difficulties do not have to continue. In-home caregiving provides a secure and healthy alternative while also providing caregivers with a wide range of abilities. When looking for the right caregiver for you and your family, it's crucial to consider the kind of environment from which the caregiver comes from. BrightStar Care of Hackensack offers nurses of all five types who come from a compassionate and friendly environment. From the unlicensed but loving caregiver to the registered nurse, BrightStar Care of Hackensack is here to work with you in finding the right caregiver for you and your family.
 

Call BrightStar Care of Hackensack Today! 

Contact us today to learn more about our companion care services. Our office is at Home care in Emerson, NJ70 Kinderkamack Road Suite 101 Emerson, NJ 07630. You may also call us at 201-483-8490. We look forward to hearing from you soon!