Do you know what your Direct Care Worker can do for you in your home?
A Direct Care Worker can make life easier for you, taking on several different tasks that may be difficult for you to do right now. Before you begin your journey of engaging a DCW, it is important to know what they can do and what are the limitations.
Start your care program with a conversation to agree on expectations and tasks.
Direct Care Workers, or DCW, can provide personal care tasks, minor housekeeping, and other health-related supportive tasks for a patient with health care needs.
- Personal care duties include bathing, grooming, feeding, turning, transfer, and positioning
- Reinforce and change simple non-sterile dressings
- Remind the patient to take medications specifically ordered by the physician, which are ordinarily self-administered
- Perform incidental household functions necessary to maintain a safe environment exclusively for the assigned patient. e.g., Comfort and cleanliness of the patient and grocery shopping
- Assist with medical equipment, such as but not limited to wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, canes, and electric chair lifts
- Light cleaning and household chores that improve the environment for their client
Your DCW will become a very important part of your family and lifestyle, since you may depend on them to do several personal tasks. However, while your comfort and health are of utmost importance, there are some tasks that your DCW will not be able to perform.
Tasks that your DCW cannot perform include:
- Nursing duties that include, but are not limited to wound care, glucose testing, preparing or administering medications
- Interpreting medical information
- Cutting fingernails or toenails
- Applying heat or cold of any kind
- Assisting the client or any member of the household with financial errands or processes
- Opening client’s mail if the client is not present
- Assisting in the preparation of legal documents
- Performing heavy housework, e.g., cleaning windows, moving heavy furniture, cleaning the entire house, and cleaning up after other occupants of the residence.
- Discussing the client for medical history including vaccination history.
Whether you are seeking home care assistance or considering becoming a DCW, you should be familiar with the expectations of the role so the experience is fulfilling for both ends of the spectrum.
A DCW is more than just an extra set of hands in the home, they can also be your new friend and companion. Extending compassion and genuine interest in your clients can make someone’s journey as a DCW even more rewarding than an ordinary job.
Discuss your expectations with your family, your agency, and even your assigned DCW when you meet them. To learn more about engaging a home care caregiver, contact us at Renaissance Home Care.
DISCLAIMER: THIS BLOG DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE
The information in this blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen.