Millions of paid caregivers proudly serve on the front lines of America’s healthcare system each day. Many of those dedicated professionals help older adults lead independent lifestyles in the safety and comfort of their own homes. As the U.S. population continues to age, the need for home care workers will continue to rise dramatically over the next decade. If you’ve often wondered if a career in caregiving may be right for you— but still have doubts— overcoming these nine myths will allow you to pursue your true calling.
It’s Not Very Gratifying
When you choose to start a career in the healthcare field, you’ll feel instant gratification knowing that you’re making a difference in the lives of those you serve. As an in-home caregiver, you’ll develop personal relationships with your clients and experience a sense of accomplishment that can only come with knowing that you are enhancing another human being’s quality of life.
You Need a College Degree
More than half of all current home care workers have completed no formal education beyond high school. Those employed in the home care industry come from various socioeconomic, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds. Their level of education ranges from a high school diploma or less to postgraduate college degrees.
It’s Not Emotionally Rewarding
While serving in a client’s home, you’ll feel a deep sense of job satisfaction and fulfillment. Although many jobs offer comparable pay and benefits, few are as emotionally rewarding as in-home caregiving. As a caregiver, you’ll have the opportunity to provide meaningful work that benefits clients, families, and entire communities!
Your Clients Will Be Older Adults
Contrary to what you might think, not everyone who receives home care is older. Your clients could be infants, children, or young adults who experience injuries, have a chronic health condition, or depend on high-tech medical equipment for respiration or nutrition. They all have in common that they rely on in-home caregivers just like you for support.
Leisure Time is Limited
As a professional caregiver, you’ll be able to work as much or as little as you’d like. Caregiving is an excellent career for anyone at any stage of life, especially those with young children. Whether you’re in the middle of pursuing a higher degree or raising a family, a career as a home caregiver offers many rewards and opportunities, including a healthy work/life balance and plenty of leisure time.
No Chance for Personal Development
As an elder caregiver, personal development is also a priority. A career in the healthcare field will allow you to grow personally and professionally. Through a supportive and nurturing environment, there are many different options each home caregiver will experience, allowing them to choose a specific path for career advancement.
Few Career-Enrichment Opportunities
Being an in-home caregiver will also open new doors that allow you to specialize your skills. You can focus on adult care or pediatrics through home care while building a career working within a specialty you enjoy. Whether you love assisting new parents bringing their infant home for the first time or an aging adult with complex medical needs, becoming a home caregiver puts you on the right career path to success.
My Efforts Won’t Matter
Moving into a care facility is a distinct possibility when someone doesn’t have reliable family caregivers to look after them. As an in-home caregiver, your efforts will allow them to live comfortably and independently in the privacy of their own home. Older adults who remain independent tend to enjoy happier, healthier, and even longer lives than those who don’t.
Less Job Security than Other Occupations
According to projections from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in all healthcare occupations should grow 15 percent over the next decade. Even during an economic recession, the demand for qualified in-home caregivers will only continue to rise. That means that you will be able to take advantage of a robust market for home health jobs for many years to come.
Join the EasyLiving Team in Clearwater, FL Today!
Home care can be a highly gratifying career when you’re part of the right team. At EasyLiving, we offer steady hours, flexible scheduling, a family culture, training and growth, and competitive pay. While working in a recession-proof industry, you’ll enjoy career-enrichment opportunities that you’d never dreamed of, surrounded by like-minded, caring individuals who are equally passionate about what they do.
While proudly serving communities in Clearwater, FL, we support clients and their families with services that include personal care, respite care, private duty care, 24-hour care, Alzheimer’s and dementia care, and more. What are you waiting for? To learn more about EasyLiving, please visit www.easylivingfl.com!