With the percentage of elderly people increasing due to high-quality healthcare facilities, the demand for something else is on the increase as well – elderly sitters.
Older adults, specifically those who have age-related medical issues, require the services of a dedicated caregiver, especially when they are alone at home. In essence, elderly sitters perform the same duties as babysitters – but with a difference.
The elderly require a lot of understanding and attention, specifically those who may be suffering from old age diseases such as dementia. Looking after them is no child’s play – one has to be compassionate, patient, and extremely understanding. An elderly sitter is required to possess all these qualities if he or she wants to work in this position. Working towards helping the elderly meet their physical and emotional needs is the basic idea behind working in this position.
Eligibility criteria to work as an elderly sitter is just a high school diploma or a GED. Some people might want to hire an elderly sitter who has a nursing background, especially if the person that they need to provide care to has medical issues.
Typically, an elderly sitter will provide his or her services within a home environment, usually for a few hours a day. In some instances, he or she may be asked to look after an elderly ward for a few days or weeks as well.
Elderly Sitter Duties and Responsibilities
• Confer with family members to determine the elderly person’s specific physical, mental, and emotional requirements
• Administer bedside or personal care such as toileting, bathing, washing, and grooming, while maintaining the ward’s dignity and self-respect
• Perform healthcare-related tasks including taking and recording vitals, and monitoring health and behavior patterns
• Provide counsel and encouragement to patients/wards by employing training in therapeutic conversations
• Administer medication according to specified schedules and instructions and ensure that any adverse effects are immediately communicated to a family member and/or doctor
• Transport wards to locations outside the house, including hospitals, social visits, and to community events
• Run errands such as grocery shopping and bill payments and provide household support, including laundry and housekeeping
• Provide companionship by engaging wards in conversation, giving them company in watching movies, and read books to them
• Prepare healthy and nutritious meals for patients, depending on their individual preferences and in accordance with their health plans
• Provide ambulatory support to patients with ambulation problems, and assist therapists with exercises and routines