Caregiver Tips

Explore long-term care settings in Washington State and learn how caregiver roles differ across home-based care, residential settings, and facilities.

Discover the top traits every caregiver needs, from patience to flexibility.

Discover the best books for understanding and succeeding in the long-term care industry. Perfect for aspiring caregivers, nursing home admin

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics , home health and personal care aides had the highest job growth in 2021 and are projected to continue growing in the next decade. By 2031, the demand for these positions will continue growing by 25.4%, or 924,000 available job openings.  Suppose you’re considering a career change and exploring an HCA career in Washington State. In that case, you’ll be glad to know it’s easier than you might think—no advanced medical degree, ex

Discover the benefits of a caregiving career, from flexible hours and health advantages to fulfilling work and meaningful connections.

The answer depends on what you mean by “give.” If you’re talking about handing somebody the correct dose, or supporting medication management — then yes, caregivers can give medications in that sense. But if you’re talking about putting drugs directly into someone’s body — the answer is usually no. It can only happen if a caregiver is nurse delegated. Can caregivers give medications? Depends on that you mean by "give." So, can caregivers give medications? They can assist, but

Have you ever met a doctor, nurse, or social worker, someone whose profession is based on compassion, and yet they seemed hardened? It almost seems as if they have very little empathy to spare for another human being, despite working in a field with direct service to other people. On the surface, they might seem efficient because they are not burdened by panic or overwhelmed with feelings. You might think that their patients’ or clients’ problems don’t affect them. However, t

An important part of self-care and wellness for caregivers is managing stress. The job itself is incredibly demanding and it can take a toll on your health and emotional state. Being a pillar for someone else to lean on can be draining and stressful, and challenging situations are sometimes a daily occurrence. You cannot expect the pressure or the responsibility of the job to decrease over time. Instead, it’s important to learn ways to take care of yourself so you can proces

The effects of a stroke on a patient can be extensive and long-lasting. How exactly a person will be affected, to what extent, and how long the consequences will last, differs from patient to patient. Additionally, there are even differences between the right and left side stroke . Stroke is, unfortunately, one of the most common medical emergencies. Each year in the US, around 800 000 people suffer a stroke . Out of those, some 60 percent survive. Most of the survivors requ

Being a caregiver is a noble and challenging profession that requires a lot of knowledge and skill. If you are a compassionate person who cares about helping others, this might be the right career path for you. However, to become a caregiver, and get your HCA licensing , there are certain requirements that you have to meet. Here is a step-by-step guide to becoming a caregiver in Washington State. Washington State Department of Social and Health Services Background Checks and

As a caregiver, with many clients, you will be responsible for their nutritional needs. This might include cooking for them, feeding them or helping them eat, helping them build healthier dietary choices , or sometimes just encouraging them to eat. Eating sounds like such a basic thing, something that you don’t need to give a second thought to, but in a caregiver’s line of work, it can oftentimes be fraught with difficulty. Whether it’s because your client has difficulty swa

Proper nutrition is a vital part of a person’s health and well-being. In their daily work, caregivers often prepare food for their clients or even help feed them. With our fast-paced lives, an abundance of ready-made meals, and stores packed full of unhealthy, highly processed foods, it is easy to forget what constitutes a healthy meal. Healthy meals don’t have to be time-consuming and they can be quite delicious. The Basics of Eating Nutrition includes the processes of eatin

One of the common tasks of a caregiver is to support stroke survivors and care for them through their recovery. Every year in the US alone, almost 800,000 people have a stroke. Stroke is the leading cause of disability in the country, especially since it commonly causes mobility issues. The process of caring for a stroke patient can be challenging and confusing, so it is important to make sure caregivers understand as much as possible to be able to provide care with confiden

HIPAA for Caregivers says sharing a client's diagnosis without written authorization is a federal violation. Understand PHI, the Security Rule, and your compliance obligations as a home care worker.

Mental health is just as important as physical health, but sometimes it gets overlooked. Depression is one of the most common mental health issues that affect older adults. It is not a normal part of old age, but it is still very common in older people. In the US alone, almost 6 percent of adults over the age of 65 suffer from some form of depression. Sometimes it can be difficult for older people to recognize it, and sometimes they are reluctant to ask for help even when t

Pain is an evolutionary protective mechanism. In simple words, pain has a purpose: to tell us when the body needs attention and healing to help us avoid further injury, and to remind us not to use the injured part until it heals. Chronic pain, however, continues past the point of being helpful and often causes serious challenges on a daily basis, making normal tasks difficult and negatively impacting the quality of life for as long as it lasts. The Prevalence of Chronic Pain

Caregiving is one of the most rewarding jobs, but it can also be incredibly challenging. It takes a lot of practical knowledge and skill, but it also takes a lot of patience and soft skills. In order to be able to work with a client, professional caregivers have to be able to keep their patience, remain calm in any situation, and establish trust not only with the client, but also with their family and their healthcare providers. Why Are Some Clients More Challenging Than Oth

Pain management and assisting a client living with acute or chronic pain are some of the most common duties of a caregiver. Living with pain can be exhausting both mentally and physically, which is why proper support is crucial. Teamwork between the healthcare providers and the caregiver enables everyone to give the client the best possible care they can get. There are plenty of ways a caregiver can support and assist their client who struggles with pain. However, in order to

The relationship between a caregiver and a client is a delicate one. Clients, especially those that are elderly or have a disability, are putting themselves in an extremely vulnerable position. That is why such a relationship needs to be based on trust. Trust doesn’t come overnight - establishing it takes time. The way you communicate with your clients plays a crucial role in this process. Why Is Communication an Important Aspect of Quality Care? Communication is one of the m

Falls are a great concern when taking care of elderly clients, for two main reasons. The first reason is that they are an extremely common occurrence. Over a third of people aged 65 or older experience at least one fall a year, and often more than one. The second reason is how dangerous falls can be, especially for the elderly. Falls are actually one of the leading causes of disability in older people . As a caregiver, you can take a series of steps to prevent falls from ha