The role of a family caregiver for a special needs child is one of profound dedication and selflessness, yet one that often goes unrecognized. Recent census data indicates that 2.6 million US households (about 7.3 percent) had at least one child in the home with a disability. However, surveys by the AARP and the National Alliance for Caregiving, more than 53 million–or one in five–adult Americans are unpaid family caregivers.
When it comes to providing in-home care for a child with physical disabilities, the challenges are unique, and the responsibilities are multifaceted. Parents or guardians who take on the role of caregivers for their children with disabilities face additional challenges beyond the norm of child-rearing, including increased financial, physical, and mental health stress. However, there are resources–financial, educational, and emotional–available to support the child and family. In this article, we will look at how to get paid as a family caregiver for a child with a physical disability. As an in-home care agency for people of all ages, Nova Home Care not only supports family caregivers of disabled children with salaries and benefits but also offers a rewarding career for those who wish to work as caregivers for other clients.
What Are The Duties Of A Caregiver For Disabled Children?
If you are already a family caregiver, you know intimately the ins and outs of taking care of a disabled child. But if you are new to the role, perhaps you have recently adopted a child or are assuming responsibilities for a niece or nephew or other relative, then you may want to familiarize yourself with the basic duties of a family caregiver.
Performing in-home care for a disabled child involves supporting the child through their activities of daily living (ADLs), which include basic tasks necessary for living at home, and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), which involve more complex activities such as organization and education. A caregiver’s role also involves safety assessment and emotional support, especially in the case of vulnerable children.
Caregivers working for Nova Home Care provide the following services as part of their duties of in-home care for children with special needs:
- Personal care – including dressing, grooming, hygiene, and help with moving around the house
- Homemaking – such as light housekeeping, laundry, dog walking
- Companionship – especially important for children with special needs, this includes reading, games, conversation, and activities to stimulate the imagination
- Care coordination – with other specialists such as nurses, therapists or educators
- Transport – to appointments, social events, sports, etc.
No One Takes Care of Family Like Family
Care for any child starts with a heartfelt concern for their well-being, growth, and fulfillment. That’s why, at Nova Home Care, we know that no one takes care of family like family, which is why we welcome parents or guardians who are already family caregivers to contact us and apply to be paid caregivers through our agency.
As a rule, an effective provider of in-home care for a disabled child must be:
- Reliable
- Compassionate
- Attentive to detail
- Passionate about child welfare
If you have these qualities, then you would be a great candidate for work as a paid caregiver with Nova, receive support for your family caregiving activity, and potentially start a fulfilling career in the home care industry!
How Much Does In-Home Care For Disabled Children Pay?
Being a caregiver can be a financially and emotionally rewarding career. Salary for caregivers varies from state to state, with the national average salary for a caregiver sitting at just over $29K per year, or $13-14 per hour.
Get Paid As A Family Caregiver With Nova Home Care
Nova Home Care is actively looking for family caregivers and welcomes applications from residents of Indiana, Arizona, Colorado, Minnesota, and Connecticut. If you live in any of these states and are interested in becoming a paid caregiver for your disabled child, then reach out to us to get started on your journey to becoming a family caregiver employed by Nova Home Care. We can offer:
- A competitive salary
- Training
- Support and resources
- Job opportunities with new clients
- Health insurance
- 401K
- Paid vacation time
For further information about compensation and benefits, contact us online, check out our careers page, or apply today to start your caregiving career!