"This is the most meaningful work I've ever done."

Direct Care Workers help others live a better life.

Direct care workers assist people with disabilities, including older adults, people with developmental disabilities, people with physical disabilities and others. They help people live as independently and successfully as possible by assisting with tasks like dressing, meal preparation, shopping and laundry. People of all ages may benefit from a direct care worker if they need help with activities of daily living such as dressing, bathing, preparing meals, shopping, doing laundry, transportation, etc.

People who need direct care may:

• have short-term needs, such as a person recovering from an illness or surgery
• live in a special setting such as a residential facility
• need long-term assistance and support due to developmental disability or physical handicaps
• be older and need personal care or homemaking services to stay in their homes

Direct caregivers work in people's homes, hospitals, nursing homes, residential treatment facilities, day programs and other settings. Some settings require staff 24-hours per day, 7 days a week. Like the people they care for, direct caregivers are young and old; have unique interests, beliefs and strengths; have a wide variety of needs; and have their own personal stories, hopes and dreams.