Michigan Caregivers

The Role of Michigan Caregivers in Home Care

Caregiver Employment Grows As Boomers Age

Seventy-seven million baby boomers start moving into the 65+ age range this year.

At some point, over 60% of the Boomers will become disabled and many will need help in their own homes or in residential care.

Projections indicate that over the next 6 years alone, caregiver employment will increase from around 800,000 to approximately 1,200,000. That is a significant increase of around 50%.

Who Are Caregivers?

Caregivers are also referred to as homemakers, companions, personal attendants,and home aides. They are the very special people who care for those who are living at home or in residential care who are disabled, ill, frail and/or mentally challenged. Caregivers are there for those requiring more extensive services both personal and health-related.

Caregiver duties

A caregiver for the elderly provides a wide range of services. The level of care depends on the setting and the needs to the person being cared for.

A list of possible duties includes:

• Housekeeping – Cleaning, laundry, changing bed linens.

• Meals – Planning meals including special dietary needs, cooking and washing dishes.

• Shopping – Buying food, ordering meals, purchasing supplies and products for the patient.

• Personal Assistance – In certain situations, the caregiver may be helping the client bathe, use the toilet, dress and groom.

• Doctors Appointments – Caregivers may drive and/or accompany the patient to doctors appointments.

• Errands and Walking Companion – An elderly person may need to be accompanied by a caregiver on errands and daily strolls.

• Live-In – In some cases, caregivers for the elderly may actually reside in the home with the patient.

• Tracking the patient’s progress – Some health aides will keep track of a patient’s condition and progress and report back to a nurse or physician.

• Transportation – Generally it is the responsibility of the caregiver to get to the client’s home.

Becoming a Certified Caregiver

If you are looking at care giving as a career, think about becoming a certified home health aide. Home Health Aide Certification gives you a professional standing. Being a Medicare certified Home Health Aide also provides more income opportunity which you will see below in the salary rates.

The National Certification Program certifies home care aides through a written examination. Candidates are able to sit for the exam following 75 hours of training based on a specific curriculum administered through Home Care University. Upon successful completion of the exam, the Home Care Aide receives certification as a paraprofessional. More information about caregiver jobs is available at the National Association for Home Care (202) 547-7424 or online at: www.nahc.org

The Income Outlook for Caregivers

Caregiver Salary – Budgeting – State Maps

As caregiver employment rises, we can expect that costs will increase. Of course what caregivers are paid varies widely from state to state. Hourly, monthly or annual rates for LTC jobs depend not only on the area but also the level of training and experience.

Find your state on the map below.Compare costs of the services of Medicare Certified Home Health Aides with agencies in your area. Also, review the chart below which shows the US average hourly rates for both certified and non-certified caregivers. Compare those rates with agencies in your area. These are 2009 figures. For budgeting, you should project 5% increases for the caregiver salary each year.

Oakland Insurance Services is your direct connection to finding Michigan Caregivers.

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