What Motivates One to be a Caregiver?

It’s no secret that being a caregiver is an at-times emotionally and physically taxing occupation. Not everyone is cut out to be a caregiver. It takes a special type of individual to take on this role, but for many people, it’s much more than an intrinsic motivation. So, what motivates one to be a caregiver in the first place?

Making a difference in another person’s life

Each and every job—from retail positions to office work—makes a difference in someone’s life. For some people, however, it can be challenging to feel the impact they’re making in these more traditional positions. This is one thing that may motivate one to be a caregiver.

When acting as a caregiver, it is crystal clear just how you’re impacting one’s life. You are responsible for maintaining a senior citizen’s health and happiness. Without your support, they wouldn’t be able to live out their lives in the comfort of their homes. This truly changes the trajectory of their lives.

Taking care of others

For some people, nurturing is second nature. As they search for a position that harnesses this natural capability, they could look into becoming a nanny, a teacher, a nurse, or even a caregiver.

The responsibilities of a caregiver are in the name. As a caregiver, you are one of the crucial players in your client’s life. You may prepare them healthy meals, help them bathe, keep their minds active, or any other crucial activity of daily living.

Spending time with older adults

There’s some truth in the phrase “old soul.” Some people have a kinship with older adults. They enjoy hearing their nuggets of wisdom and their stories of times gone by. If you enjoy spending time with older adults, you might enjoy being an at-home caregiver.

In addition to assisting them around the home, you will act as a companion to your elderly clients—which has more of an impact on their mental health than you may realize. Companionship has been shown to reduce feelings of depression and anxiety in seniors, which can improve their cognitive health in turn.

Working a unique career that is different on a daily basis

For some people, monotony drives them away from a traditional desk job. In a caregiving career, you never have to worry about it. Each day presents new challenges and rewards alike, giving you the satisfaction of going home after an interesting day of work.

What does a good caregiver look like?

Even if a caregiver career sounds appealing to you for the above reasons, there are a few important characteristics one should have in order to excel in this career. Caregivers should be:

Selfless—When caring for a senior citizen, their needs always come first
Passionate—You should not always be passionate about your work, but the people you serve
Patient—Conditions like hearing loss, limited mobility, and waning memory can slow down certain tasks. Patience is key to everyone’s happiness.
A good listener—Some seniors may want to express all of their thoughts and feelings. Others may have a hard time doing so. It’s important to be a good listener either way to understand their needs.

If you’re ready to work as a caregiver, contact us!

Home Care Powered by AUAF is always looking for passionate and dedicated individuals to join our team. We provide comprehensive training to ensure you feel confident in your ability to care for seniors, whether they’re living at home or transitioning from a nursing home.

If you’re already caring for a fa mily member, we can help you get compensated for your hard work. For more information about our programs, call us at 773-274-9262. We look forward to working with you!