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Family caregiver vs senior caregiver

The differences between family caregivers and senior caregivers 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 $28,771 average annual salary of a senior caregiver.

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

Family caregiver vs senior caregiver overview

Family CaregiverSenior Caregiver
Yearly salary$32,827$28,771
Hourly rate$15.78$13.83
Growth rate36%36%
Number of jobs126,18867,227
Job satisfaction-2
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 48%Bachelor's Degree, 37%
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 senior caregiver do?

A senior caregiver is responsible for supporting the elderly, disabled patients, and other persons with illnesses or has difficulty managing themselves alone and assist them with their daily activities. Senior caregivers monitor the patients' behaviors, keep records of health conditions, administer medications, and prepare the patients for medical procedures. They also coordinate with the attending physicians and other medical health professionals in developing quality care plans and services for the patients, following the standard procedures and health safety requirements.

Family caregiver vs senior caregiver salary

Family caregivers and senior caregivers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Family CaregiverSenior Caregiver
Average salary$32,827$28,771
Salary rangeBetween $22,000 And $46,000Between $22,000 And $37,000
Highest paying City-Portland, OR
Highest paying state-Vermont
Best paying company-CARE
Best paying industry-Health Care

Differences between family caregiver and senior caregiver education

There are a few differences between a family caregiver and a senior caregiver in terms of educational background:

Family CaregiverSenior Caregiver
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 48%Bachelor's Degree, 37%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Family caregiver vs senior caregiver demographics

Here are the differences between family caregivers' and senior caregivers' demographics:

Family CaregiverSenior Caregiver
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 29.3% Female, 70.7%Male, 12.2% Female, 87.8%
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, 10.0% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 20.1% Asian, 8.0% White, 56.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage7%7%

Differences between family caregiver and senior caregiver 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.
  • Show more

Senior caregiver example responsibilities.

  • Provide day-to-day assistance to the elderly with ADL needs.
  • Light housekeeping including pet care, empty and sanitize commode.
  • Maintain familiar routine, assist with decision making and pet care.
  • Assist patient with ADL's, by means of cooperative service plans.
  • Care of clients with Alzheimer's, dementia, stroke and post-operative hip replacement surgery.
  • Demonstrate sensitivity and compassion to patient.
  • Show more

Family caregiver vs senior caregiver skills

Common family caregiver skills
  • Meal Preparation, 18%
  • Companionship, 11%
  • In-Home Care, 10%
  • Medical Assistance, 9%
  • Doctor Appointments, 6%
  • Medication Administration, 4%
Common senior caregiver skills
  • Companionship, 24%
  • Senior Care, 10%
  • In-Home Care, 10%
  • Home Health, 10%
  • Medication Reminders, 6%
  • Meal Prep, 5%

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