Caregiver is someone who helps another person that can no longer manage everyday tasks alone. A person providing assistance to older adults or handicapped individuals performing basic daily tasks like bathing, dressing, preparing meals, etc…

The caregiver can be a volunteer or paid employee provided by the health care system coming routinely to help the ‘patient’ in the morning getting out of bed, take a bath and have a breakfast. Later in the day he or she will come back to prepare the patient for bedtime. It could also be a family member, a long time friend or neighbor extending a helping hand on regular basis.

Many tasks and activities can be considered as the caregiver responsibilities. Although the majority of these tasks are performed at home: washing, dressing, give medications, etc… but others are not necessarily domestic chores like driving the patient to doctor’s appointment, social gathering or just ‘a walk in the park’.

In essence, the caregiver is providing physical and emotional support to those who need help to continue living in the comfort and familiarity of their own home.