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Unpaid caregivers, surprisingly, can still use a caregiver portal. They still engage in the same types of activities like a paid caregiver do. What’s more, the role of unpaid caregiver is one that still needs to be honored, to be quite frank. Respecting the role of unpaid caregivers is something that cannot be overdone — these volunteer professionals pour much of their heart and soul into the people they serve, and that should never ignored.

Whether the caregiver is paid or unpaid, his or her roles involve::

1. Ensuring the people to whom they are providing care are constantly monitored (as a safety issue), clothed, washed and fed

Infants

Did you know that infants and children may now be discharged, from either the PICU or NICU, since they have the proper life-sustaining tech? This can include apnea monitors, ventilators, gastric tubes, etc. That said, you would need to be highly qualified and trained in the use of such equipment, as well as the urgent care situations.

Middle-aged adults, with a little less supervisory caution required.

Caregivers who care for adults using life-sustaining technology must likewise complete all training courses and practice hours (mandates vary by state and city/county law) applicable. Yet adults require less immediate care and attention than infants and children do, logically, and are (logically) less of a liability, in a worse-case emergency.

Repeating the process, but for seniors as well

This includes keeping an extra eye on their health monitors, their blood pressure, blood sugar, pulse oxygen, and any other particular health areas of concern. They also need to cater to their age-specific dietary needs & restrictions, and more conditions that are specific to elder care. Seniors are more sensitive because of their age. They, like babies and children, are in a more delicate stage of life that requires the utmost attentiveness. They cannot be left on their own for long periods, due to memory problems, mood swings, intense arthritis swell ups, heart conditions, and other age-related health conditions.

2. A role that caregivers, with patients of every age, share in common is also that of entertaining their patients and keeping them company

Let’s go back to the basics: For seniors, it may be playing a game of bingo or cards with them. For children, this may look like reading a book to them or watching a favorite movie together. Get the idea?

3. Caregivers need to often check the status of the environment they’re serving in

This may get overlooked as a role, but it is no less important than the rest. Making sure that the fire extinguishers in the building/home have been serviced every six months-year, for instance, is one such role. Another is simply knowing where they are even located in the first place. Another task is to constantly be on the alert for safety hazards, such as drinks that have been spilled on the floor (or wet floors in general), entrance doors left wide open, other trip hazards (such as rugs, shoes left out, papers that fell on the floor).

Caregivers matter. They make a difference everywhere. Never underestimate their duties.

There are paid caregivers. There are some volunteer caregivers. Yet, they’re all crucial. If you know a caregiver, thank them for all of their hard work!