Post job

Senior caregiver vs caregiver assistant

The differences between senior caregivers and caregivers assistant can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a caregiver assistant has an average salary of $30,471, which is higher than the $28,771 average annual salary of a senior caregiver.

The top three skills for a senior caregiver include companionship, senior care and in-home care. The most important skills for a caregiver assistant are compassion, customer service, and senior care.

Senior caregiver vs caregiver assistant overview

Senior CaregiverCaregiver Assistant
Yearly salary$28,771$30,471
Hourly rate$13.83$14.65
Growth rate36%36%
Number of jobs67,227177,566
Job satisfaction25
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 37%High School Diploma, 34%
Average age4848
Years of experience--

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.

What does a caregiver assistant do?

A caregiver assistant provides care and assistance to elderly patients or those with mobility issues. They usually work at assisted living facilities where they are in charge of helping patients eat, bathe and dress, go to the toilet, take walks in the garden, and drink medicine. They also perform chores such as preparing meals according to nutrition plans, doing the laundry, arranging beds, and maintaining the cleanliness of different areas. Moreover, a caregiver assistant also builds positive relationships with patients to give them emotional support and help them feel comfortable.

Senior caregiver vs caregiver assistant salary

Senior caregivers and caregivers assistant have different pay scales, as shown below.

Senior CaregiverCaregiver Assistant
Average salary$28,771$30,471
Salary rangeBetween $22,000 And $37,000Between $23,000 And $39,000
Highest paying CityPortland, ORSpokane, WA
Highest paying stateVermontAlaska
Best paying companyCAREThe Center for Enriched Living
Best paying industryHealth CareNon Profits

Differences between senior caregiver and caregiver assistant education

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

Senior CaregiverCaregiver Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 37%High School Diploma, 34%
Most common majorBusinessNursing
Most common college--

Senior caregiver vs caregiver assistant demographics

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

Senior CaregiverCaregiver Assistant
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 12.2% Female, 87.8%Male, 17.6% Female, 82.4%
Race ratioBlack 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%Black or African American, 9.9% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 22.0% Asian, 8.4% White, 54.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage7%7%

Differences between senior caregiver and caregiver assistant duties and responsibilities

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

Caregiver assistant example responsibilities.

  • Assist residents with bathing and other ADL's.
  • Provide care and assistance to private individual including all ADL's.
  • Provide care for residents with special conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer's.
  • Provide assistance for primary caregiver by providing companionship to elderly client.
  • Provide companionship services that stimulate, encourage, and assist seniors.
  • Provide evidence based psychological therapy to patients with common mental health problems.
  • Show more

Senior caregiver vs caregiver assistant skills

Common senior caregiver skills
  • Companionship, 24%
  • Senior Care, 10%
  • In-Home Care, 10%
  • Home Health, 10%
  • Medication Reminders, 6%
  • Meal Prep, 5%
Common caregiver assistant skills
  • Compassion, 56%
  • Customer Service, 9%
  • Senior Care, 8%
  • Meal Prep, 3%
  • Direct Care, 3%
  • Patients, 2%

Browse personal care and attendants jobs