Caregiving As A College Student Is Actually Ideal
When you're in college, the last thing you want to do is work a job that's going to interfere with your classes. But at the same time, you need money for all those late-night Chipotle runs and weekend trips to see your friends—right?
Caregivers have a flexible job that works around their schedule. They take care of their client's needs when it's convenient for them; meaning no missed classes and no missed weekend fun with friends. Many students can get a couple hours of work in between classes. Each client has different needs, and student caregivers can be paired with one that fits their preferences and schedule.
What Caregivers Do On-The-Job
The elderly are mostly independent. However, it’s not uncommon to see them struggling with simple things like cooking, cleaning, and organizing their homes. This can be particularly distressing when they live alone and no one else is there to help them out. Luckily, there are some things a caregiver can do to help the elderly stay safe and healthy as they age. Here are some common jobs the elderly need help with:
- Help them with their laundry. This could mean taking their clothes and putting them in the washer and dryer, or it could mean folding their clothes and putting them away when they are done drying.
- Set up their meals for them. They may still feel capable of cooking, but that doesn't mean that they have time every day to make lunch or dinner. Letting them know that you'll be making their meals for them can give them peace of mind about knowing what will be on their plate each day.
- Help with transportation needs if they aren't driving anymore and don't have access to public transit near them (like if they live somewhere rural). You can pick them up from medical appointments or to the store to run errands.
- Cleaning is not just a chore—it's a health concern. Keeping a space tidy is essential for the elderly to avoid any trips, slips, or falls. Many elderly people need help with cleaning, but they don't want to burden family and friends with their housework. This is where a caregiver comes in. You can help them by providing light cleaning services, which will allow them to stay in their homes longer and maintain their independence. Cleaning services include things like dusting, vacuuming, mopping floors, and wiping down kitchen surfaces. It does not include deep cleaning, washing windows, or other heavy-duty tasks.
You Don't Need A Degree To Be A Caregiver. You Just Need These Two Things:
- A compassionate heart for the elderly comes from having empathy for their struggles and hardships. It also comes from understanding that they may have been through a lot in their lives and that has shaped who they are today.
- You also need a good attitude and willingness to help. You'll be able to see what needs to be done and go out of your way to make sure it gets done. You'll also be willing to do things like clean up after yourself, follow instructions, and stay on top of things so as not to cause problems for anyone else around you.
Find A Job That Fulfills You, Makes You Happy, And Makes a Difference
Find something rewarding—something fun. There is nothing worse than a job you hate going to. School can be hard enough without adding to your stress level by having to go somewhere every day that doesn't make you feel good about yourself or happy about what you're doing with your time off from school.
College students make great caregivers, and it's a superb fit for their lifestyle – providing the flexibility, sense of value, and income they need during the busy college years. Many of Alpha Home Care's caregivers in the Nashua, Manchester, and Concord areas are students who are earning a great income while making a difference in the lives of their clients.
