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Family caregiver vs home care attendant

The differences between family caregivers and home care attendants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a family caregiver has an average salary of $32,827, which is higher than the $26,059 average annual salary of a home care attendant.

The top three skills for a family caregiver include meal preparation, companionship and in-home care. The most important skills for a home care attendant are patients, home health, and companionship.

Family caregiver vs home care attendant overview

Family CaregiverHome Care Attendant
Yearly salary$32,827$26,059
Hourly rate$15.78$12.53
Growth rate36%36%
Number of jobs126,188235,912
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 48%Bachelor's Degree, 33%
Average age4848
Years of experience--

What does a family caregiver do?

Family caregivers mainly provide care to families operating as health care system extensions. The caregivers perform complicated therapeutic and medical tasks and ensure recipients' compliance with their therapeutic regimens. They serve as home-based coordinators of care and personal care recipient advocates. It is their job to assess the needs of the families. They also prepare a care plan, help with housekeeping, provide companionship, monitor medications, and prepare meals.

What does a home care attendant do?

A home care attendant is a health care worker whose primary job is to provide care and assistance to the elderly and people with disabilities. Your day-to-day duties will include monitoring and recording the condition of patients, performing housekeeping and laundry, and providing personal care services such as dressing and bathing. In addition, you will assist patients in caring for themselves by teaching them how to use a walker, cane, and personal hygiene equipment. As a home care attendant, you are also expected to adhere to asepsis procedures and standards to maintain a secure, healthy, and safe environment.

Family caregiver vs home care attendant salary

Family caregivers and home care attendants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Family CaregiverHome Care Attendant
Average salary$32,827$26,059
Salary rangeBetween $22,000 And $46,000Between $17,000 And $38,000
Highest paying City-Watertown Town, MA
Highest paying state-Alaska
Best paying company-Dignity Health
Best paying industry-Media

Differences between family caregiver and home care attendant education

There are a few differences between a family caregiver and a home care attendant in terms of educational background:

Family CaregiverHome Care Attendant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 48%Bachelor's Degree, 33%
Most common majorBusinessNursing
Most common college--

Family caregiver vs home care attendant demographics

Here are the differences between family caregivers' and home care attendants' demographics:

Family CaregiverHome Care Attendant
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 29.3% Female, 70.7%Male, 13.1% Female, 86.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.1% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 8.6% White, 56.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%Black or African American, 10.5% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 8.0% White, 57.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage7%7%

Differences between family caregiver and home care attendant duties and responsibilities

Family caregiver example responsibilities.

  • Manage all household duties, meals, laundry, groceries, appointments, etc.
  • Be up to date on CPR, first aid and classes.
  • Preform a great knowledge of CPR experience.
  • Assist with ADL's, socialization, and developmental progression.
  • Give daily injections of insulin and attempt to prevent complications of diabetes.
  • Instructed/Advise individuals on issues such as household cleanliness, hygiene, nutrition, and infant care.
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Home care attendant example responsibilities.

  • Manage clients bills, paid them, buy groceries, take complete care of their responsibilities.
  • Self-Direct and empower, providing hygiene care, hospice and respite care to Alzheimer's patients and patients requiring long-term assistance.
  • Provide companionship and conversation, stabilization, and assistance with walking, and providing medication and appointment reminders for assign patients.
  • Maintain all confidential personnel files and CPR compliance records.
  • Ensure that HHA's are trained to administer the required care.
  • Interview applicants for HHA training program, and general clerical duties and some front reception coverage.
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Family caregiver vs home care attendant skills

Common family caregiver skills
  • Meal Preparation, 18%
  • Companionship, 11%
  • In-Home Care, 10%
  • Medical Assistance, 9%
  • Doctor Appointments, 6%
  • Medication Administration, 4%
Common home care attendant skills
  • Patients, 19%
  • Home Health, 16%
  • Companionship, 14%
  • CPR, 6%
  • Meal Prep, 5%
  • Patient Care, 4%

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