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Geriatric auxiliary assistant - Helfer/in – Altenpflege / Hilfskraft – Altenpflege
Older people often need help. They can no longer wash themselves or prepare their meals autonomously, they cannot go shopping or to the bank on their own. Geriatric care assistants mostly perform simple supporting activities: they accompany the older people or do some tasks for them, such as shopping, helping them with food intake, with taking a bath, changing the bed clothes, making sure that they drink enough or reading for them from newspapers or books.
With their work the geriatric care assistants support the activity of the geriatric nurses and of the care assistants for older people.
The main activities are: first aid, organization of recreational activities, preparation of meals, food serving. They work in close consultation with the other care workers.
The geriatric care helpers are usually trained at their workplace. Relevant practical experience in the care for the elderly can be of advantage. However, by the “German Act on the further development of care” (2008) the “Betreuungskraft /§87b” has been newly created in order to face the increasing care needs of people with dementia-related incapacities or other mental impairments (more information under "Education and Training").
Types of services existing
Geriatric care assistants work in senior or nursing homes, geriatric and gerontological psychiatric departments of hospitals, day care centers for the elderly and assisted living facilities. Outpatient care services and private households also provide employment opportunities.
Languages skills requested
In order to be able to work as “geriatric care helper” B2 language level skill is usually required.