Do you have patience, empathy, and a desire to make older adults’ golden years shine? If so, you may enjoy working as a non-medical caregiver. Keep reading to learn about this career.
Updated May 31, 2022
Modified April 28, 2023
Should You Become A Non-Medical Caregiver?
Are you considering a career in the home health field but need more experience? Or are you interested in volunteering but have limited medical knowledge and training? If so, you should consider a career as a non-medical caregiver.
What Is A Non-Medical Caregiver?
A non-medical caregiver (or a companion caregiver) supports elders and their families through respite care, personal care, and companionship.
Types of non-medical caregivers include:
- Personal care aides (PCAs)
- Homemakers
- Companions
Companion caregivers are vital in helping older adults feel listened to and preventing isolation. A few hours of help can dramatically improve older adults’ well-being, making it easier to age in place and keep their independence.
Companion caregivers aren’t only a caregiver category but an official employment classification. According to the IRS, the primary purpose of a non-medical caregiver is to keep people company by:
- Chatting
- Playing games
- Going on walks
- Taking them to appointments
For this reason, these caregivers must be charismatic, personable, friendly, and genuine. In addition, they support quality of life by helping complete everyday tasks such as:
- Bathing
- Feeding
- Dressing
- Transportation
- Light housework
- Medication reminders
Although non-medical caregivers can provide personal care tasks, these activities can’t make up more than 20% of their responsibilities.
How To Become A Non-Medical Caregiver
Formal education isn’t required since non-medical caregivers don’t provide medical services, although training certainly helps. But even if you are a volunteer companion, some experience is always better.
Of course, this type of certification varies based on where you live. For example, many states don’t have mandatory training but encourage at least eight hours of classes. On the other hand, other states require eight to ten hours of training, while some don’t have any regulations.
If your state does require training, most caregiving agencies will offer training to fulfill your state’s guidelines. Otherwise, contact these organizations about non-medical caregiver certification:
- The Red Cross
- Basic Trainer For Caregivers from Caregiverlist
- Care Core Certification from the Relias Academy
- Home Care Univerity from The National Association for Home Care and Hospice
Non-Medical Caregiver Salary
According to Glassdoor, the average annual salary for a non-medical caregiver is $34,297. Non-medical caregivers can work as independent contractors or with home care agencies. If you work through an agency, you can earn between $15 and $25 per hour, plus extra on weekends and holidays.
Where To Find Job Openings For Non-Medical Caregivers
There has never been a better time to become a caregiver. Demand for non-medical caregivers has soared due to the high number of older adults wishing to age in place and COVID-19’s impact on the labor market.
Consequently, many agencies and private clients struggle to fill available positions, leaving you plenty of job opportunities and security. In addition, the market’s current condition puts you in a better position to negotiate your preferred rate and schedule.
You can find non-medical caregiver jobs in places such as:
- Indeed
- Snagajob
- Glassdoor
- SimplyHired
- Local agencies and care facilities
MeetCaregivers Is Hiring Non-Medical Caregivers
Are you interested in offering companionship and personal care to individual clients at home? If so, MeetCaregivers is hiring compassionate, qualified caregivers and nursing professionals.
Over 1 million health care jobs will need to be filled by 2030. So we strive to meet that need by supporting the professionals who support our clients.
Care workers have faced low wages, long hours, insufficient benefits, and inadequate support for too long. We aim to change that by creating a workplace that gives you the resources, training, and respect you deserve.
Are you ready to take the next step in your career? If so, apply to become a caregiver on our website.
Then, visit our Blog for more resources and information for home care professionals.
- Doyle, Latasha. “6 Types Of Senior Care Certifications And Trainings That Will Improve Your Career.” Care.com, Care.com, 17 May 2021, www.care.com/c/stories/5405/senior-care-certifications/.
- “Flexible And Rewarding Companion Care Jobs.” MAS Home Care, 15 Mar. 2018, www.mashomecare.com/caregivers/companion-care-jobs/.
- Starr, Liane. “How To Become A Caregiver.” Care.com, Care.com, 26 Mar. 2018, www.care.com/c/stories/15041/how-to-become-a-caregiver/.
- Wallin, Craig. “Help Seniors Stay Independent With a Non-Medical Home Care Business.” Senior Service Business, 3 Feb. 2020, seniorservicebusiness.com/help-seniors-stay-independent-with-a-non-medical-home-care-business/.