Employee Spotlight: Ellen Rizzuto, Direct Care Worker
Ellen Rizzutto, Direct Care Worker for Allied Services In Home.
In-home care vs. home healthcare - they sound very similar and both offer rewarding work caring for people in need, but there is a difference. While home healthcare offers medical services like a visiting nurse and therapy services in your home, in-home caregivers offer non-medical care or assistance.
As the name suggests, caregivers, also known as direct care workers, perform care-related activities in the home, typically related to one’s everyday life, and can sometimes help relieve the caregiver duties of a family member. In general, caregivers focus on activities of daily living (ADL), which include bathing, grooming, dressing, and eating. Some caregivers may expand beyond this scope and provide other support such as light housekeeping or running errands.
In some cases, this support can make the difference between allowing someone to remain at home on their own or with family, and having to consider moving into a residential program or assisted living facility.
The Direct Care Workers who make up Allied Services In Home are united by their sense of compassion for people who need help to live safely in their homes. Direct Care Worker Ellen Rizzutto notes “Compassion can’t be taught; it’s simply part of who you are. If you have a heart filled with compassion then this won’t feel like work.”
A direct care worker with Allied Services In-Home division for eight years, Ellen says she truly enjoys her job.
“I look forward to my job every day. I get to travel around, see great people and help them. Most days it doesn’t feel like work. It’s like I’m visiting my own family.”
Admittedly there are days that are a bit more physical than others depending on the individual or type of care that she provides, but Ellen doesn’t mind. “Giving someone a bath can range from a sponge bath in bed to helping someone in the shower. No matter what, I want everyone I see to feel comfortable and know that they are receiving the best care I can give.”
Ellen’s schedule is a bit different every day, from her destinations to the individuals she serves, but she enjoys the travel and the variety it brings to her day to day life.
ABOUT DIRECT CARE WORK:
Direct Care Workers help people in their homes with activities such as as bathing, grooming, dressing and meal preparation. If you are already providing this type of care for a relative, we would like to pay you for your care! If not, we can train the right compassionate and caring people to join our team. Direct Care Workers can earn up to $1000 sign-on bonus.
Click here to learn about current opportunities or call Tara at 570.348.1481.
ABOUT IN HOME CARE:
Allied Services In Home currently provides life-changing care to almost 400 people across 20+ counties in Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania. They are licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Health as a home care agency. Allied Services In Home's mission is to promote independent living for individuals in our community. The Independent Living (IL) philosophy is a worldwide movement of people with disabilities and older adults working for self-determination, self-respect and equal opportunities. Learn more here or call Scranton 570-348-2210, Williamsport 570-320-0640, or 800-242-1883.
