At the request of an employer, caretakers are professionals tasked with looking after property, assets, or individuals. Caretaker jobs can be short-term assignments with set start and end dates, or they can be structured as a long-term position. Depending on the type of position available and the duties assigned the employer, the scope of responsibilities will vary.
A property caretaker is the most common type of caretaking job. This type of job entails looking after a specific piece of property’s buildings and grounds. It’s not uncommon for the person in charge of this duty to live on the premises, sometimes in living quarters assigned to the main structure. More often than not, the caretaking professional will live in a small dwelling that is separate from the main building on the property.
In some cases, the caretaker position is only temporary. People who will be away from their homes for several months, for example, may hire someone to take care of maintenance tasks while they are gone. Collecting mail, paying utility bills on behalf of the owner, maintaining the grounds, and generally giving the property the appearance of being occupied are all examples of this. Using caretaking services for this type of short-term project helps to prevent break-ins and ensures that the home and grounds are in good shape when the owner returns.
With larger estates, long-term caretaking positions are common. The caretaker in this situation is likely to live on the property in assigned quarters and oversee daily maintenance of the gardens, plumbing, wiring, and other aspects of the property. People who want a welcoming home but don’t want to deal with the details of maintenance frequently hire caretakers to take care of the estate’s day-to-day operations. Basic maintenance tasks can be included, as well as overseeing the process of obtaining outside assistance as needed.
A different type of caretaker job involves looking after someone who is unable to function independently. This type of caretaking responsibility, also known as caregiving, may include assisting people who are ill or infirm in dressing, eating, and maintaining personal hygiene. Running errands and transporting the client to and from doctor appointments are examples of additional responsibilities. A personal caretaker can live in the client’s home or keep a separate residence and work a set number of hours each day.