Care Basics,
Experienced
Hands
Providing the support you need and the care they deserve.
AFFORDABLE
TEAM BASED CARE
FROM EXPERIENCED CAREGIVERS
Proof Essentials is basic care for those that need support services from Experienced Caregivers, without the need for 24/7 Nursing phone support or skilled care services.
Proof of Care strives to offer affordable care and assistance plans that can help those who need a little more support accomplishing some of the tasks of daily life. Proof Essentials Caregivers are assigned from our talent pool for each shift and follow detailed care plans crafted by our Care Managers.
Proof Essentials
QUALIFIED, CAREER CAREGIVERS
All of our Proof Essentials Caregivers are what we at Proof of Care call ‘Experienced Caregivers’. Proof of Care’s Experienced Caregivers are fantastic carers with at least two years of professional care experience, and often many, many more years than that. Whilst our Experienced Caregivers don’t have a formal education in Caregiving or Nursing, they bring a wealth of experience, enthusiasm and compassion to their chosen careers. Our Experienced Caregivers are competent with tasks such as companionship, light housekeeping, and assistance with personal errands. For more complex care needs, an Experienced Caregiver will likely not be suitable, and a Proof Premium Career Caregiver will be required, as determined by our fantastic Care Management team at the time of initial assessment or a subsequent reassessment.
An Experienced Caregiver’s role in the home is to provide unskilled services that serve the needs of clients who are unable to take care of their own hygiene, nutrition, or living space without help. They are also wonderful at providing companionship. Suitable Clients should perform their daily activities as independently as possible, and Experienced Caregivers will follow a detailed Care Plan when providing scheduled assistance.
Career Caregivers Vs.
Experienced Caregivers.
General Duties:
In partnership with you, our Care Managers will agree upon a number of tasks to be completed each shift. For Experienced Caregivers, general duties typically include:
-
Helping with meals.
-
Light cleaning.
-
Laundry.
-
Changing bed sheets and towels.
-
Assisting clients with personal hygiene care.
-
Helping clients get dressed, from laying clothing out to helping them put clothing on.
-
Getting clients’ mail and newspaper.
-
Helping with a transfer or walking beside clients who are unsteady, especially to the bathroom or for a walk outside.
-
Assisting with toileting.
-
Accompanying clients to run errands, get to an appointment, or meet with others.
-
Shopping for items such as food and toiletries.
-
Picking up clients’ medications from the pharmacy.
-
Reading medication labels for clients and reminding them to take their medications. It may also include handing a pre-filled medication box to a client and opening the lid for them.
-
Lifting light loads.
-
Being a friendly, engaged companion.
Proof Essentials
QUALIFIED, CAREER CAREGIVERS
What Are Experienced Caregivers not allowed to do?
There are a few specific things that are not allowed, such as providing any type of medical services. Experienced caregivers may not:
Perform any duties outside of their limitations, responsibilities, and job duties as an Experienced caregiver.
Give medications of any kind.
Mix medications for clients or fill their daily med minder box.
Give advice about medications.
Perform a medical assessment.
Provide medical care, other than emergency first aid.
Support clients with advanced mobility restrictions.
Lift clients (1-person assist, or two-person assist).
If there is ever any question about what an Experienced caregiver may or may not do with or for a client, the service plan and our Care Managers can provide guidance.
Career Caregivers Vs.
Experienced Caregivers.
Experienced Caregivers vs. Career Caregivers:
What’s The Difference?
So, what’s the difference between our two tiers of Caregivers at Proof of Care? Caregiving in Canada is an unregulated industry, and it leads to a lot of confusion about skill levels, safe work practices and safe client management. Sometimes the terms “Caregiver”, “Unskilled Care Aide” and “HCA, PSW or HHA” are used interchangeably (which is confusing!), and there are no clear definitions in Canada – in fact, anyone can call themselves a Professional Caregiver, regardless of education or experience. At Proof of Care, we recognize that not all clients need a trained, educated & skilled care provider, and that carers with multiple years of experience can provide a wonderful care experience for clients with less complicated needs. However, when a client has advanced or advancing needs, complications in care or requires skilled assistance, then well-trained and qualified Caregivers are needed. At Proof of Care, we define these roles as ‘Experienced Caregivers’ and ‘Career
Caregivers’. Here are the nuts and bolts of each position, as well as the similarities and differences:
Experienced Caregivers & Career Caregivers Differ In Education:
The main difference between Experienced Caregivers and Career Caregiver roles at Proof of Care is the required education and training. Career Caregivers must have completed a specific professional caregiving training course from a Canadian Educator, such as a Home Health Assistant (HHA), Home Care Aide (HCA), Personal Support Worker (PSW) or equivalent (which consists of 75 to 100 hours of classroom and clinical training, and then pass a certification test), or have completed a Nursing Diploma or Degree from a domestic or foreign tertiary institution.
Caregivers, on the other hand, don’t need a formal education in healthcare, but do require professional paid experience to work with Proof of Care, as well as a current First Aid Certificate, Police Check & have to have passed rigorous reference and pre-hire checks.
Responsibilities For Experienced Caregivers & Career Caregivers:
Experienced Caregivers and Career Caregivers both provide care to clients who can’t fully care for themselves, mainly seniors. Both positions report on the client’s daily physical and mental health, as well as provide comfort and companionship. Experienced Caregivers perform non-medical tasks, while Career Caregivers provide support with non-medical tasks and are trained to assist with basic medical care. Basic medical tasks include taking vitals, measuring weight and other statistics, helping clients with medical equipment, lifts, specialized memory care and more.
To summarize, Experienced Caregivers and Career Caregivers roles have similar functions, but Career Caregivers have more education which enables increased support roles for those that need advanced, complex or specialized care. Proof Essentials Experienced Caregivers provide care and comfort like Career Caregivers, but without the professional training, and are a great starting point for those looking for companionship & basic care support.
