Becoming an in-home care provider can be a rewarding career choice, but it’s not always easy to get started. This guide will walk you through the process of becoming an in-home care provider and help you understand what it takes to make a career out of this type of work.
What Is In Home Care?
In home care is a term used to describe the services provided by caregivers who help people with disabilities or illnesses live on their own. The goal is to give these individuals some independence and quality of life even though they might not be able to manage on their own without some assistance.
In home care providers are usually hired by patients’ families or by state or local agencies that offer assistance for those who need it most. They may also provide services for seniors or people with disabilities.
If this seems like something that interests you, read on! We’ll cover what steps are necessary in order to become an in home care provider as well as how much money you can expect to make once you’re working full time.
How To Become An In Home Care Provider
If you are passionate about caring for seniors but do not have any advanced medical training, a career as a home care provider may be ideal for you. Home care providers make it possible for elderly adults to age safely in the comfort of their own homes, which can make this role extremely fulfilling. Learning about some of the different responsibilities of home care providers can help you determine whether this position is a good fit for you.
In this article, we discuss what a home care provider is, how this position differs from that of a home health care provider and what steps you can take to pursue a career as a home care provider.
Related: High-Paying Medical Jobs You Can Do With Little Schooling
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What is a home care provider?
A home care provider is any professional who helps a person live more safely in their home while helping them maintain the highest possible quality of life. These professionals are also known as companion care, nonmedical care, homemaker care or senior care providers.
What do home care providers do?
Some of the primary responsibilities of a home care provider include:
- Providing companionship and engaging in activities and hobbies
- Helping with errands and shopping
- Assisting with daily self-care activities like bathing, dressing, grooming and using the toilet
- Enabling the senior to live safely by assisting with transfer from bed to wheelchair or wheelchair to toilet and providing fall prevention
- Helping with meal planning and preparation, housekeeping, laundry, medication reminders, transportation to appointments and other household tasks
- Supervising if the elderly adult suffers from Alzheimer’s disease or dementia
Home care provider vs. home health care provider
While a home care provider and home health care provider can be easily confused, there are some key distinctions between the two professions. The primary differences are:
Formal medical training
Home health care providers have some level of medical training and have passed a test verifying their competency as a health care professional. A home care provider doesn’t have medical training and the role doesn’t require a formal certification or license.
Types of services
Home health care includes a variety of health care-related services, including IVs and injections, wound care or monitoring the patient’s medical condition. Home care providers help with household chores, personal care and other daily living activities, such as meal preparation, dressing, bathing, medication reminders, shopping and errands. They also offer the elderly person companionship.
Objective
The objective of a home health care professional is helping the individual recover from their injury or illness to the point that they can live independently again or regain some self-sufficiency. For a home care provider, the objective is to make it possible for the senior to live safely and comfortably in their home while they age.
Method of payment
These services are often paid for differently as well. A home health care provider is often covered by health insurance, Medicaid, Veterans benefits or Workers’ compensation, although the health care provider could also be paid privately. A home care provider is usually paid directly, whether by the senior or their family, although the service may be covered by long-term health coverage or Medicaid.
Related: How To Become a Home Health Aide
Average salary for a home care provider
The average salary for a home care provider is $12.38 per hour and varies depending on the geographic location. The highest-paying cities for home care providers are Los Angeles, Sacramento, Chicago and Tucson.
How to become a home care provider
The training requirements for home care providers can vary somewhat from state to state. Here are the basic steps you should take to pursue this career:
1. Pursue training and certification
Though not required by all states, many states recommend that aspiring home care providers complete a certification course. Home care providers who work for agencies that are reimbursed by Medicare or Medicaid must have a minimum level of training and pass a certification evaluation.
Some home care placement agencies do provide training for candidates who are interested in this career. However, obtaining training and pursuing a certification independently can distinguish you from other candidates. Formal training is available through vocational schools, community colleges and elder care programs. Home care providers are also typically required to have a CPR certification.
2. Obtain experience
Start by working as a companion or sitter on a voluntary basis to obtain experience and see how you like the schedule and the work. Some experience in the role will also make you more attractive to agencies that are looking for home care providers.
3. Seek agency opportunities
If you do enjoy the work, apply for a position with an agency that places qualified home care providers in homes. For additional training, or if you do not have any formal training for the position, look for agencies that advertise training as a part of your employment.
4. Consider additional education
For more responsibility and a higher salary, consider pursuing additional training and a certification as a certified nursing assistant (CNA). CNAs provide hands-on health care to patients in addition to helping them with basic daily activities.
