In everyday language, the terms caregiver and home carer are often used as if they were synonyms, but in reality they indicate two very different figures, both in terms of role and context. In this article, we want to clarify things and help you understand who does what, and why it is important to recognise the value of both these figures.
Who is the Caregiver?
The caregiver is usually a family member – child, spouse, grandchild – who takes care of a loved one who is not self-sufficient on a daily basis and for free. It is a figure that arises out of necessity, not by profession.
Examples of caregiver tasks:
Daily assistance with personal care (washing, dressing, eating)
Accompaniment to medical visits or errands
Management of therapies and medicines
Emotional support and constant presence
The caregiver is not paid for his or her role, and often finds himself or herself having to reconcile work, family and care. Precisely for this reason, in recent years there has been increasing talk of the need to protect caregivers with laws, incentives and psychological support
Who is the Home Carer?
The home carer is a professional figure, regularly employed (hopefully!) to provide assistance to an elderly or non-self-sufficient person. They can work by the hour or live with the person being cared for.
Examples of caregiver tasks:
Help with the personal care of the person being cared for
Preparation of meals
Assistance with personal care
Light house cleaning
The home carer is a very important figure who plays a fundamental role in assisting the elderly person but also, in a certain sense, the family itself, relieving the caregiver of part of the care burden. Often the caregiver becomes an essential part of the family unit itself.
The caregiver is therefore a domestic worker in all respects, with a contract, salary and rights. Her presence is essential especially when the family caregiver cannot guarantee constant assistance.
Caregiver and Home Carer: Complementary, not in competition
Caregivers and home care professionals often work together: the former offers affection and an irreplaceable family presence, the latter offers professional support that lightens the daily burden. Both roles are valuable, and deserve respect and recognition.
Conclusion
Understanding the difference between a caregiver and a carer is essential to better organise the care of a loved one. If you are a caregiver, don’t forget to take care of yourself too. And if you need a hand, remember that asking for help – perhaps from an expert carer – is not a failure, but an act of responsibility.
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