According to figures compiled by the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, over 3.4 million professional caregivers are currently employed in the home care industry. Although it’s a joyful and rewarding career, caregiving can be a complicated job that’s exhausting and frustrating. No paid caregiver breezes through the journey without feeling some degree of negativity and hopelessness creeping in. As a professional caregiver serving on the front lines, here are ten secrets to staying positive even on the worst of days.

10 Secrets to Being a Happy and Successful Professional Caregiver

Focus on the Good Things in Life

To keep negative thoughts at bay, try making a list each day of things that are going well in your life. When problems present, look for small bright spots in your life, like a warm, sunny day, binge-watching your favorite TV shows, or taking a well-deserved nap.

Speak Kindly to Yourself

One of the keys to positive thinking is never saying anything to yourself that you wouldn’t say to anyone else. Turning off the negative dialogue in your head can be a powerful tool to harness optimism. For example, instead of thinking, “This will never work,” you might say to yourself, “I’ll try again later a different way.”

Lean on Positive People

Surrounding yourself with positive friends, family, and coworkers is helpful when trying to stay upbeat. Like the average person, you spend the most time with a close support group of roughly five people. Stay connected with those individuals regularly, either in person or online. If needed, join a supportive online community of fellow caregivers.

Seek Happiness Through Healthy Habits

A healthy diet and exercise program can go a long way in improving mood and overall wellness to counteract the rigors of caregiving. Regular exercise and good nutrition lower stress, increase energy and foster good sleep habits. Be sure to avoid unhealthy habits like smoking, overeating, and drinking alcohol to excess.

Take Time for Yourself

Whether it’s a quick walk around the block or meeting a friend for lunch, taking a break from caregiving duties to focus on self-care is essential for your health and wellbeing. Staying recharged and refreshed is also a reliable way to ensure that you continue to provide your client with the care they deserve.

Laugh More

You’ve probably heard that “Laughter is the best medicine.” Not only does laughter make you feel good, but its positive effects stay with you long after the chuckling subsides. Research has shown that regular laughter lowers stress hormones, relaxes tense muscles, improves mood, and eases anxiety.

Keep It Simple

Sometimes, only doing what immediately needs to be done, like dishes, laundry, and meals, can make the days less daunting. Don’t set unrealistic caregiving goals for yourself. Instead, keep it simple by picking one or two essential tasks to accomplish and then focusing on those.

Embrace Your Spiritual Side

The benefits of spirituality include improved mood and even physical health and longevity.

Experts recommend setting aside focused time each day for spiritual activities, including sharing prayers with loved ones, singing, or listening to spiritual music.

Keep a Gratitude Journal

Sometimes, life gets so busy that we can easily forget about all the good things. The best way to remind yourself of the positives each day is by writing down in a gratitude journal five things you are thankful for, like family and friends.

Remember that You Are Only Human

As a senior caregiver, no matter how hard you try, in most instances, your client’s condition is eventually going to grow worse. That’s not a reflection on you. Instead, learn to let go of the guilt and give yourself grace. Remember to show up on time every day with a positive attitude and firm commitment to make a difference in the lives of those you serve!

Looking to Become a Professional Caregiver? Join Our Winning Home Care Team Today!

Another secret that happy caregivers share is being part of a winning home care team. Due to our expanding client load, Health at Home is currently seeking qualified individuals to fill several caregiving positions. While proudly serving communities in Palm Beach County, Broward County, Martin County, St. Lucie County, and Indian River County, FL we support clients and their families with services that include personal care, respite care, 24-hour care, Alzheimer’s and dementia care, and more.

We offer our employees a fast-paced, positive work environment where input is valued and hard work rewarded. Whether you’re an aide, nurse, therapist, social worker, or another type of healthcare professional, we’d love to hear from you! To learn more about career opportunities with Health at Home, please visit us today at healthathome.care.

If you are thinking about becoming an in-home caregiver, you will be entering one of the fastest-growing occupations in the U.S. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects continued growth for certified nursing assistants and personal care aides (no certification required) over the next several years. A rapidly aging population combined with a heightened desire to age in place has created the “perfect storm” for employment opportunities within home care. If becoming a professional caregiver interests you, this handy roadmap could be your pathway to success. 

What is a Caregiver?

A caregiver is someone who offers support to the aged or those with disabilities or special needs. Caregiving responsibilities may include companionship, daily care, homemaking, meals, personal care, and even medical assistance (home health care aide). These various caregiver demands require different training levels depending on your chosen role.

Caregivers Work in Different Settings

While serving in various capacities within the healthcare system, you may see paid caregivers working in private homes, rehab facilities, assisted living communities, outpatient clinics, nursing homes, and hospitals.

The reasons why someone would want to become a caregiver are as varied as the individuals themselves. Since the job market is robust for caregivers, finding the right job in the community you want should be relatively easy once you are ready.

Qualities of a Good Caregiver

Becoming a professional caregiver requires specific skills, passion, and a commitment to serving clients on good days and bad.

In general, qualities of a good caregiver include:

• Compassion
• Empathy
• Flexibility
• Time management
• Focus
• Patience
• Assertiveness
• Communication skills

Caregivers must also be physically fit and in good health because of all the client lifting and transporting that they may be asked to do.

How to Get Started as a Caregiver

If you are passionate about making a difference in the lives of others, a career in-home care may be your true calling. Here’s how to get started in five easy steps:

Clarify your motivations

Revisit your motivation for wanting to be a professional caregiver while anticipating any challenges you might have once you get started with your first client. Be honest with yourself about whether you possess the traits and interests necessary to perform the essential job duties day after day while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

Do your research

Speaking to other professionals in the caregiving industry will provide you with different perspectives about the occupation. During this information-gathering phase, be sure to research working hours, pay, education requirements, personal development opportunities, and other essential considerations.

Attend caregiver-related events

Industry-related groups and organizations offer seminars, classes, and the chance to interact with others who share the same passion for helping others. Participating in these professional events will allow you to learn more about the job, ultimately ensuring that you will be able to stay in caregiving for the long haul.

Know the educational requirements

More than half of all current home care workers have completed no formal education beyond high school. The level of education for caregivers ranges from a high school diploma to postgraduate college degrees. Any Medicare or Medicaid-certified agency will ask for proof that you’ve met their minimum educational requirements.

Investigate the salaries

According to Payscale.com, the median hourly pay for an in-home caregiver in the U.S. is $12.11. Depending on factors that might include where you live, job openings, special skills, and level of experience, your salary could range anywhere between $9.31 and $16.54 per hour.

Where to Find Caregiving Jobs

Caregiver jobs are posted through online sources like Indeed.com, Glassdoor.com, and LinkedIn, giving you a wide range of options when it’s time to launch your career. Using the above tips as a reference should make getting started less stressful and more rewarding as your exciting caregiving journey plays out!

Your Exciting Home Care Career Opportunity Awaits!

If you are ready to pursue an exciting career as an in-home caregiver, we’d love to hear from you. Due to our expanding client load, Health at Home is currently seeking qualified individuals to fill several caregiving positions. While proudly serving communities in Palm City, Boca Raton, and and Boynton Beach, 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.

We offer our employees a fast-paced, positive work environment where input is valued and hard work rewarded. Whether you’re an aide, nurse, therapist, social worker, or another type of healthcare professional, we’d love to hear from you! To learn more about career opportunities with Health at Home, please visit us today at healthathome.care.