Blog: Arriane McArthur

Late tonight I received a call from an individual who saw a posting on jobing.com for a position with our company. She was hesitant to fill out an application because she had no formal caregiving experience. After spending a few minutes talking with the young lady, we came to find out that she recently had lost her job as a title clerk after five years. It seems the company was closing its doors. It sounded a little to familiar. So we chatted some more. I found that she had cared for both her grandmother and mother before they passed away. She missed them and wanted to give back in their memories. After finding her comfort level we found an ideal job with Beech Home Care & Medical Inc., as a caregiver. She is of course going through quite a bit of training, and is starting out in our companion division. But we think she will bloom into a wonderful caregiver.

The economy made be bad, but the opportunities for a great career, maybe even in caregiving, are out there. It all depends on where you look, what you dream, and who you talk too.

If you are interested in a career in caregiving or know someone who may need some help please call. We are always happy to help. Beech Home Care & Medical Inc. 480-948-4655.

Often times we are asked to support various charities with money and/or time. One of the more often overlooked disease groups is Parkinson's. Well no more.

This Sunday, February 17th, 2008 from 9:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at Tempe Town Lake, the Parkinson's Action Network will sponsor a walk to raise funds for those afflicted with this disease. Please make an effort to attend. The walk is only 2 blocks to 5k. No skills needed, but a big heart is required.

We hope to see you there. it will be a great time for a worthy cause.

This week let's look at another special breed of caregiver, the senior caregiver. Most of us have had the privilege of knowing one or more of our grandparents. Senior caregivers have the opportunity to work with the senior population in a host of ways. Caregivers working with this age group can be found in the clients own home, in a group home, an assisted living facility, or even a hospice care.

Caregivers in these settings help provide care with meals, bathing assistance, laundry, housekeeping, errands, companionship, or even medication reminders. Typically services are outlined in a plan of care for the caregiver. As usual the rewards far outreach the paycheck, especially when you get to share the memories and life experiences of the senior whose life you get to touch. If you are interested, Gateway Community College is starting an amazing program that will truly aid in helping develop your skill set. Most community college offer a personality profile exam that will help you determine if these areas are for you.

Let's look at one of the areas of caregiving, that in my opinion is one of the most demanding...special needs. These individuals care for clients that range in age from infants to adult. All have various physical and or mental needs that are addressed daily. These caregivers can work in the home, a school, a facility, or group home. There are probably places I am leaving out, but they are virtually limitless. They aid individuals with multiple physical( closed head injuries, birth defects, traumas, etc..) and psycho-social type injuries.

Caregivers who wish to specialize in these areas need some additional training in dealing with the array of problems that can occur at a moments notice. If you are interested, Gateway Community College is starting an amazing program that will truly aid in helping develop your skill set. Most community college offer a personality profile exam that will help you determine if these areas are for you.

If questions arise, just ask... there never is a foolish question.

Good luck.

Last posting we discussed what is a caregiver. Let's now look at areas a professional caregiver can look to devote part or all of their careers.

First lets look at pediatrics and disability. A select and special type of caregivers, these individuals work with their clients typically in the home, or home type setting. They provide care...Bathing, dressing, feeding, housekeeping for children, typically with a disability. As the children become older or adults their needs may change or advance, and the caregiver skill set usually grows with the clients needs.

Caregiving for seniors is a different mind set. The physical and emotional needs of this population are drastically different and the same. Meals, bating assistance, dressing, companionship are similar, but the emotional attention is varied. Dementia care is also another area in which advanced skill sets are required.

Next posting we will dive deeper into the roles of each the areas...Until then keep caring.

Have you ever wondered what a caregiver is and does? A caregiver can be defined as someone who gives assistance to another person who is no longer able to perform the critical tasks of personal or household care necessary for everyday survival. In short, anyone who helps someone maintain their independence. In the United States, it is estimated that 25 percent of women and men today provide some sort of caregiving for their parents. It impacts the U.S. economy to the tune of 15 million days of lost productivity a year.  This is a good news/bad news situation. The bad news, who is going to provide the care. The good news...it is a viable second careeer for many who are looking to not only give back to their community, but also earna modest income.

Caregivers perform many task. Meals, bathing assitance, laundry, errands, shopping, and most importantly...companionship. The impact a caregiver, personally or proferssionally can make on the life of a client is immense. But the client can also make a similar impact on the caregiver.

Next week we will discuss the types of caregivers that are needed in todays world and beyond.