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Is a DCW Career Right for You?
DCWs provide assistance to older adults and adults with disabilities in a variety of settings from a client’s own private home to adult foster care homes. The type of assistance varies with each client’s need and can include activities of daily living (ADLs) like dressing, bathing and eating. Some clients may receive assistance with instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) like housekeeping and meal preparation. Being a DCW is both rewarding and challenging – not everyone is cut out for the job. In addition to having technical skills needed to provide support, DCWs also need to have certain skills that can’t be taught. Do you have what it takes? Ask yourself if you have the skills it takes to be a DCW: 1. Do you enjoy working with people, particularly older adults and adults with disabilities? 2. Are you kind, patient and a good listener? 3. Are you dependable? 4. Are you flexible and able to multi-task? 5. Are you willing to learn new ways of doing things? 6. Are you willing to learn about and honor your client’s values and preferences? |
If you answered “Yes” to these questions, you have some of the innate skills
needed to be a DCW.
needed to be a DCW.
Job training is also critical for success to ensure that you provide supports and services in the safest, most person-centered and professional way possible. This benefits you as well as your clients.
