Matching Caregiver to Client

We’re not interchangeable

One of my jobs is as a caregiver for adults with disabilities. I use caregiver because that's the term my current agency uses. Other places might call me direct support personnel or DSP. My job involves non-medical care helping meet the needs of clients with disabilities. Some caregivers might clean or cook for clients or help them in the bathroom.

The agency I am currently working with offers respite care for disabled adults who cannot be alone to give their guardian a break. That might look like just hanging out and having conversations or playing board games or just being sure the client is fed and has someone to help if they need it. The agency offers something it calls "Supported Community Connect" where the caregiver helps the person get out into the community. I was surprised to learn that medicaid covers this under some circumstances. It also offers some homemaking help but not the kind where the client watches TV while the caregiver does the job; instead, the client works with the caregiver with a goal of learning how to complete the tasks independently eventually.

How does someone like me with disabilities end up being a paid caregiver for other people with disabilities? Client and caregiver might have different disabilities or could be affected in different ways by the same disability. Clients' needs are different so the type of caregiver that works best for them will also be different.