Despite caregiving being one of the most essential and socially beneficial careers out there, it is often referred to as an “invisible profession.” This is due to a lack of knowledge regarding caregiving as a profession and its confidential nature. In this blog, we share insight on the benefits of caregiving as a profession. It’s up to you to decide, then, whether or not becoming a caregiver is the career for you!

Six Benefits of Being a Caregiver

When it comes to caregiving jobs, individuals are often rewarded with more than a salary. Payment comes in forms of gratitude, appreciation, and that feel-good feeling of knowing you’ve helped someone in need.

1. An elevated sense of wellbeing. This is that feel-good feeling we mentioned. Helping others makes us happy. It’s science. According to researchers at Pittsburgh University: “Providing support to others activates a neural pathway in the brain that boosts our wellbeing.”
2. Diversity in job experience. Caregivers face many challenges in their profession, and must be adaptive to different lifestyles, backgrounds, races, and disabilities. Not only is having a dynamic portfolio of experiences important for career development; it keeps you on your toes and engaged in your work.
3. Flexible schedules. Maybe you’re not cut out for 9-5, Monday through Friday, and that’s perfectly ok. Caregiving is a 24/7 operation, which means you’re more likely to have freedom to choose between working part-time or full-time, nights, weekends, or whatever best accommodates your lifestyle.
4. Continuous learning opportunities. Every individual is unique, and their needs are always changing. Caregivers continuously learn new skills and techniques to effectively connect with their clients.
5. Appreciation from others. We know that helping others makes us feel good, but it makes others feel good, too! The families of individuals needing care appreciate caregivers taking some of the responsibilities off their shoulders.
6. Building relationships. Building positive relationships with clients is one of the most important aspects of caregiving – and the most fun! There’s such a high level of trust that has to be present in order for a caregiver/client relationship to be successful, and working together toward life enrichment is incredibly rewarding.

Caregiver Quotes

As a nonprofit organization that focuses on caregiving and respite services, we know the amazing opportunities that caregiving as a profession provides. We wanted to see what our caregivers had to say about their own experiences.

“The most satisfying part of my job is earning the trust of our clients. When I first joined the staff, our clients were shy and preferred to talk to and ask for assistance from other staff members who they’d known longer. Now that staff member is me!”

“[As a part-time caregiver], I get to spend more time with family and friends. I’m also starting to look into volunteering more since I have more free time.”

– Kaitlyn Gramling

How to Know if Caregiving is the Right Career for You

Like many service careers, caregiving is a calling. It takes a special individual to be passionate about helping others and be up to the challenges of the job.

Personality Traits of a Good Caregiver

1. You’re a self-starter. You enjoy flexibility and independence in your work.
2. You enjoy working one-on-one with someone and building relationships with clients.
3. You’re creative and think on your feet.
4. You like general housekeeping tasks like cleaning and cooking meals.
5. You find comfort in a home-like environment.
6. You find it rewarding to fulfill someone’s needs and/or requests such as running errands, shopping, or doing a fun activity together.

Covey’s Caregivers

Our professional caregivers are the heartbeat of our organization. They’re friendly, creative, and so appreciated. Caregivers work hard to ensure everyone who walks through Covey’s doors feels welcome and valued.

If you would like to learn more about becoming a full or part-time caregiver at our Appleton or Oshkosh respite care homes, visit our Careers Page. Together, we can enlighten the world about the benefits of professional caregiving and enrich the lives of more individuals. We can’t wait to meet you!