What Is a Caregiver?

By definition, a caregiver is a family member or paid helper who regularly looks after a child or a sick, elderly, or disabled person. According to the CDC, there are over 11,000 home health agencies that employ caregivers in the U.S., but not all caregivers are considered professional. Recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics stated that 14% of the U.S. population—just over 35 million people—provide unpaid eldercare. Still, this data does not account for the disabled population who may be receiving care outside of services provided by a home health agency. Even parents can be considered caregivers. There are millions of caregivers across the U.S., and they play an incredibly important role in ensuring the health and well-being of people with disabilities.

What Is the Difference Between a Caregiver and a Caretaker?

The terms "caregiver" and "caretaker" can be used interchangeably. A caretaker typically refers to someone providing physical or emotional care, but both terms encompass the essential role of supporting others. For example, a parent caring for a disabled child—whether managing medical tasks like administering medication, physical tasks like helping the child get dressed, or providing emotional support during a meltdown—can be described as either a caregiver or a caretaker.

What Do You Call the Person a Caregiver Takes Care Of?

The person a caregiver takes care of is often referred to as a patient or client. These terms are most used in professional settings where the caregiver might be an employee of a healthcare agency or a medical professional. However, in settings where the caregiver might be a family member or relative, familial terms are more commonly used.

What Are the Four Types of Caregivers?

• Family Caregivers: Family members who provide care to relatives. These caregivers can be paid or unpaid depending on whether the individual they care for has Medicaid, veteran status, or meets other regulations set individually by states, which may pay family caregivers.
• Volunteer Caregivers: People who offer care without payment, typically through organizations, to support those in need outside their familial relationships. 
• Home Health Aides: While not typically required to have a medical license, home health aides do typically receive other forms of certification. They may assist with tasks like dressing, aiding with bathroom activities, and taking care of kitchen duties, and may take vitals, but are not licensed to administer medications.
• Licensed Caregivers: These medical professionals typically work for an agency and have a medical license, so they can administer medications and help with tasks like wound care.

Selecting the right caregiver is essential for effective care. Some individuals may need one caregiver, while others may rely on multiple caregivers for long-term needs or to provide respite. For tasks like bathing or dressing, a family caregiver or home health aide may suffice, as these tasks do not require a person with a medical license. Licensed caregivers, such as nurses, may be necessary for administering medications. In the home, individuals or their family members can be trained to manage these tasks, as disabled individuals and their family members are not held to the same medical licensing standards. This training can be especially useful if a person requires the use of an IV, feeding tube, or other medical device daily. However, if you prefer to have a medical professional assist with these tasks, it’s important to note home health aides cannot perform medical tasks beyond checking vitals.

What Is the Role of a Caregiver?

Generally, a caregiver helps ensure positive health outcomes for people with disabilities. Caretakers can provide for people of all ages and with all kinds of disabilities, from caring for children to elderly individuals, and caring for people with diseases like Alzheimer's, or other disabilities like chronic illness, autism, or mobility impairments. The care required will depend on individual diagnosis, but generally, without a medical license, caregivers can assist with daily activities and responsibilities like:

• Bathing: Along with other hygiene tasks, caregivers can assist with bathing, oral care, and grooming.
• Dressing: Assistance with choosing, putting on, and taking off clothes.
• Meal Preparation: Cooking meals and ensuring dietary needs are met. 
• Medication Management: Reminding individuals to take medications.
• Incontinence Care: Caregivers can help change incontinence products like diapers.
• Mobility Assistance: Providing support when walking, transferring, or using mobility aids.
• Transportation: Assisting with travel to doctor appointments, errands, or social activities.
• Health Monitoring: Tracking vitals like blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature.

The following tasks are generally required to be performed by a caregiver with a medical license, unless the disabled individual or a family caregiver has been trained. These tasks cannot be completed by a home health aide:

• Medication Administration: While home health aides can remind their patients of when to take medication, they cannot administer any form of medication, including IV fluids and feeding tube formula.
• Insert or Remove Medical Devices: Home health aides cannot insert, remove, or modify the use of medical devices like ventilators, oxygen tanks, insulin pumps, or catheters. 
• Change Sterile Dressings: Home health aides cannot change wound dressing or central line dressings.
• Provide Medical Advice or Diagnosis: Any caregiver without a medical license should not provide medical advice and cannot provide a diagnosis.

Common Questions About Caregiving

The following are common questions among caregivers about their duties, rights, and responsibilities:

1. Are Caregivers Covered Under the ADA? 

The ADA protects the rights of people with disabilities, ensuring access to areas like public transportation, schools, and workplaces. While caregivers are not covered by the ADA, they are protected by other human rights laws, which apply to all people in the U.S. Caregivers who also have their own disabilities are protected under the ADA due to their diagnosis, but not their caregiving role. The ADA focuses on disability rights and does not include provisions for caregivers like pay or access privileges.

2. Can I Get Paid to be a Caregiver for a Family Member?

Caregivers may be paid or unpaid depending on state-specific regulations and the status of the person they are caring for—whether they are on Medicaid or are a veteran. Caregivers can be paid through state-administered programs, which may be funded by federal sources like Medicaid. These programs vary by state, and the state determines the eligibility criteria, payment amounts, and specific services covered. Federal programs, such as those through the Department of Veterans Affairs, may also provide funds for caregivers, but administration and payment often occur at the state level. 

3. What Are Signs of Caregiver Burnout?

Common signs of caregiver burnout include:

• Physical Exhaustion: Frequent fatigue and lack of energy.
• Emotional Distress: Feelings of sadness, anxiety, or irritability.
• Changes in Appetite or Sleep: Eating or sleeping too much or too little.
• Health Problems: Increased frequency of illnesses.

Some tips to combat caregiver burnout include:

1. Seeking Support: Connect with support groups or seek counseling for emotional support. The Family Caregiver Alliance provides a state-by-state resource directory, while the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) offers online discussion and opportunities to connect with other caregivers. Their site also features articles on topics like dementia care and transitioning to a nursing home. 
2. Take Breaks: Schedule respite care to rest and recharge. Consider local area care agencies when possible, and take regular breaks to prevent burnout and improve your ability to provide quality care.
3. Set Boundaries: Establish clear limits to maintain a balance between caregiving and personal time. Communicate your needs to family members and other caregivers. Prioritize your own needs to allow you to sustain your caregiving role without sacrificing personal well-being or relationships.
4. Stay Organized: Use tools like calendars or apps to manage tasks effectively. Keeping a structured schedule helps you prioritize responsibilities, set reminders for appointments, and track important deadlines. Staying organized reduces stress and ensures that both caregiving duties and personal commitments are met.
5. Practice Self-Care: Engage in regular self-care practices you enjoy, such as journaling, meditating, reading, crafting, or exercising. Prioritizing activities that bring you joy and relaxation helps maintain your mental and physical health.

BraunAbility Drive for Inclusion Report Card

The 2023 Drive for Inclusion Report Card highlights the challenges faced by caregivers, emphasizing the need to support those who dedicate themselves to caring for others. After surveying caregivers within the Driving Force, we found: 88% of caregivers experience emotional stress, 83% face physical challenges, and 61% struggle financially because of caregiving.

Andrea, a caregiver for a person with a mobility disability, said, "I think caregivers enjoy and love what they are doing but suffer from burnout and lack of self-care. We need to fill our own tanks to be available to help others."

Tricia, another caregiver, shared a similar sentiment, saying, "...The emotional, physical, and mental toll [of caregiving] goes unseen or unappreciated. We would never ask for it, but a little acknowledgement, understanding, or support of our hard work could go a long way." 

These insights underscore the importance of showing appreciation for caregivers. You can download the 2023 Drive for Inclusion Report Card and learn more about caregiving strategies, support networks, and enhancing your caregiving experience on our Caregiver Resources page.

Additionally, BraunAbility offers a range of wheelchair accessible vehicles and mobility products designed to make the transportation aspects of caregiving easier and more accessible. Contact your local BraunAbility dealer today to discover how a wheelchair accessible van or mobility solution can support your caregiving needs.