Lesson 1-  The role of the Personal Care Assistants  (caregiver)

A caregiver provides Personal care, support, and assistance to another person.


The role of the caregiver is full of challenges and rewards. There will be few other jobs in your lifetime where what you do so dramatically impacts another human being. The many positive benefits of caregiving include:

• Feelings of positive self-worth, purpose, and meaning;
• Confidence that a client is getting the best care;
• Pride in successfully coping with difficult life situations;
• Feeling closer to another person as a result of helping;
• Increased patience and inner strength;
• A stronger sense of who you are and enjoyment out of life.

How a client benefits from having a caregiver

As a caregiver, you support a client’s ability to live as independently and safely as possible. You support a client’s:

• Social, physical, and emotional well-being;
• Ability to have choice and control over his/her environment;
• Ability to have control over decisions about what services he/she receives, when, and how services are given.

Your 4 basic job responsibilities as a caregiver are to:

1- Provide personal care, including:

• Understanding how a client wants things done and doing tasks that way;
• Honoring a client’s privacy and dignity;
• Encouraging a client’s independence;
• Honoring a client’s differences.

2- Know, take pride in, and perform your role as a member of the care team, including:

• Observing changes in a client’s physical, emotional, and mental health.
• Knowing when and what to document and/or report to the appropriate care team member(s).

3- Follow a high standard of professional conduct.

4- Respond to day-to-day situations and emergencies without supervision (if necessary).