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Senior caregiver vs home care attendant

The differences between senior caregivers and home care attendants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a senior caregiver has an average salary of $28,771, which is higher than the $26,059 average annual salary of a home care attendant.

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

Senior caregiver vs home care attendant overview

Senior CaregiverHome Care Attendant
Yearly salary$28,771$26,059
Hourly rate$13.83$12.53
Growth rate36%36%
Number of jobs67,227235,912
Job satisfaction25
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 37%Bachelor's Degree, 33%
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 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.

Senior caregiver vs home care attendant salary

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

Senior CaregiverHome Care Attendant
Average salary$28,771$26,059
Salary rangeBetween $22,000 And $37,000Between $17,000 And $38,000
Highest paying CityPortland, ORWatertown Town, MA
Highest paying stateVermontAlaska
Best paying companyCAREDignity Health
Best paying industryHealth CareMedia

Differences between senior caregiver and home care attendant education

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

Senior CaregiverHome Care Attendant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 37%Bachelor's Degree, 33%
Most common majorBusinessNursing
Most common college--

Senior caregiver vs home care attendant demographics

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

Senior CaregiverHome Care Attendant
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 12.2% Female, 87.8%Male, 13.1% Female, 86.9%
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, 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 senior caregiver and home care attendant 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.
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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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Senior caregiver vs home care attendant skills

Common senior caregiver skills
  • Companionship, 24%
  • Senior Care, 10%
  • In-Home Care, 10%
  • Home Health, 10%
  • Medication Reminders, 6%
  • Meal Prep, 5%
Common home care attendant skills
  • Patients, 19%
  • Home Health, 16%
  • Companionship, 14%
  • CPR, 6%
  • Meal Prep, 5%
  • Patient Care, 4%

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