Caretaker vs. Caregiver: What's the Difference?
Caretaker vs. Caregiver: What's the Difference?
Short answer: A “caregiver” provides personal care and daily support to a person. A “caretaker” typically looks after property or buildings, though some use it for people. In Pennsylvania home care, “caregiver” or “direct care worker” are the standard terms.
- A caregiver supports a person’s health, safety, and daily living needs.
- A caretaker often maintains property or acts as a custodian.
- Pennsylvania law refers to non-medical home care staff as direct care workers.
- When searching for jobs or help in Philadelphia, use terms like caregiver, home health aide, or CNA.
How We Use the Words Caretaker and Caregiver
When discussing support for an older adult, you might hear both terms. A “caregiver” is a person who helps another individual with their health, safety, and daily routines. A “caretaker” historically refers to someone who maintains property or grounds.
While some people use the words interchangeably, “caregiver” is the standard term in the healthcare and home care industries. In Pennsylvania, state regulations use the specific term “direct care worker” for staff providing non-medical home care.
These direct care workers provide several types of home care services. Personal care involves hands-on help with activities of daily living (ADLs). This includes feeding, oral care, shaving, hair care, grooming, and assistance with self-administered medications. It also covers help with ambulation, transferring in and out of a bed or chair, and toileting.
Companionship services focus on socialization and support with instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs). IADLs are tasks like preparing meals, doing housework, doing laundry, shopping, and using the telephone.
Other services include respite care to give family members a short-term break, and specialized care for unique, non-skilled needs. None of these involve skilled nursing tasks like wound care or injections.
Are you currently caring for a family member in Philadelphia? You might be eligible to get paid for your work. Call New Century Home Care at 215-974-0000 or fill out our contact form and choose “I am a caregiver” then “I already have a client” to start the process.
Comparing Common Care Terms
| Term | Typical Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Caregiver | A person supporting another individual’s daily needs and personal care. | A relative helping an older adult bathe and dress at home. |
| Caretaker | Someone who looks after property, buildings, or land. | A custodian managing an apartment building. |
| Direct Care Worker | Pennsylvania’s formal legal term for non-medical home care staff. | An agency employee providing companionship and meal preparation. |
Which Terms to Use When Searching for Jobs or Help
If you are looking for home care for a loved one in Pennsylvania, or if you are searching for employment, using the right titles makes a big difference. Searching for a “caretaker” might bring up property management jobs. Instead, use these specific titles.
Caregiver or Direct Care Worker: This is a broad title for someone providing non-medical help. In Pennsylvania, no state certification or CNA license is required to be a direct care worker. However, agencies must verify competency. They must also complete a background check and obtain at least two satisfactory references from people not related to the applicant. Read more in our guide to what a caregiver is.
When an agency hires a direct care worker, they follow state rules to protect your loved one. The agency conducts an interview, which can be done via two-way video. They obtain a criminal history report from the Pennsylvania State Police, or an FBI record if the applicant has not lived in Pennsylvania for the past two years.
Workers must also pass a tuberculosis (TB) screening before they have contact with a consumer. This screening must be updated every 12 months. To prove competency, a caregiver must either have a valid Pennsylvania nurse’s license, pass the agency’s competency exam, or complete a recognized training program. The training must cover topics like basic infection control, handling emergencies, recognizing abuse, and dealing with difficult behaviors.
Home Health Aide (HHA): This title often refers to Medicare-certified workers. A home health aide must complete at least 75 hours of training and pass a registered nurse evaluation. They typically work alongside skilled nursing or therapy professionals. Learn more about the differences between HHAs and caregivers.
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA): A CNA completes a state-approved training program and passes the Pennsylvania Nurse Aide competency exam. Once they pass, they are placed on the Pennsylvania Nurse Aide Registry. Compare a caregiver vs CNA to see which role fits your needs.
New Century Home Care hires for several of these roles. Our job titles include Caregiver, Home Health Aide (HHA), Direct Care Worker, Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), and Live-In Caregiver. You can view open positions on our job board.
For more details on finding the right fit, explore our complete caregiver guide.
Ready to start working as a paid family caregiver in Philadelphia? Call New Century Home Care at 215-974-0000 or submit our online form, selecting “I am a caregiver” and “I already have a client.”
Frequently asked questions
What is caregiver stress syndrome and how does it affect caregivers?
Caregiver stress can cause denial, anger, social withdrawal, anxiety, depression, exhaustion, sleeplessness, and irritability. If you experience these signs regularly, talk to your doctor. You can manage stress by taking breaks, sharing duties with a care-team calendar, eating well, and joining a support group.
How do you quit a caregiving job?
If you work for a home care agency, follow your employer’s policy for giving notice. Pennsylvania law gives consumers the right to at least 10 calendar days’ written notice before an agency terminates services, with some exceptions. Giving advance notice helps your agency schedule a replacement worker so the person receives continuous care.
What are some online support groups for caregivers of elderly parents?
The Penn Memory Center in Philadelphia runs virtual support groups for dementia caregivers. The Alzheimer’s Association Delaware Valley Chapter also offers free local caregiver support groups by phone, video, or in person. You can call their 24/7 Helpline at 800-272-3900 to find a group that fits your schedule.
How can you care for a caregiver?
Support a caregiver by helping them take breaks through respite care, sharing duties, and encouraging them to rest. In Pennsylvania, the Caregiver Support Program through the local Area Agency on Aging, like PCA in Philadelphia, offers education, planning help, and reimbursement for approved caregiving expenses.
New Century hires caregivers across Philadelphia and 4 counties. Weekly pay, $350 signing bonus, paid sick days, free health insurance plan available, 401(k). Call 215-974-0000.
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