NURSE

Responsible for general care. An individual with advanced training in caring for the sick, aged or injured. A nurse may be defined as a professional qualified by education and authorized by law to practise nursing. There are many different types, specialties and grades of nurses. Those who specialize in care of older adults are often called geriatric or gerontological nurses.

SOCIAL AND HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL

Professional who could provide BOTH health care AND home aid; health care can be provided both under supervision (of a nurse, a doctor, etc.) or without it; in some countries this professional provides also home aid. They provide care for the purpose of promoting, maintaining or restoring health. Social care is intended as providing help and support - both personally and practically - which can enable people to lead as independent a life as possible.

PHYSIOTHERAPIST

Physical therapist — a professional who has successfully completed a professional entry level programme that enables them to identify and maximise quality of life and functional movement potential, within the spheres of promotion, prevention, maintenance, intervention/treatment, habilitation and rehabilitation. This encompasses physical, psychological, emotional and social wellbeing. Physical therapist practice involves the interaction between the physical therapist, patients or clients, families, care givers, other health care providers and communities, in a process of assessing movement potential and in establishing agreed upon goals and objectives using knowledge and skills unique to physical therapists. The first professional qualification, obtained in any country, represents the completion of a curriculum that qualifies the physical therapist to use the professional title and to practise as an independent professional." [World Confederation for Physical Therapy - Glossary]

Speech Therapist – a professional who is educated to assess speech and language development, treat language disorders, and help people with swallowing disorders. Specializing in providing therapeutic services for a specific age group is common among speech therapists, allowing for the fine-tuning of skills and exploring new tools and techniques.

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST

Occupational Therapist – a professional who provides evaluation and treatment of daily living skills for individuals with disabilities (he helps people of all ages to carry out everyday activities which are essential for health and wellbeing). Occupational therapy is an important form of treatment for people of all age groups, and can be used to alleviate the incapacitating effects of congenital disabilities and disorders caused by accidents, trauma, abuse, ageing or disease.

PSYCHOLOGIST

Psychologist – a professional who studies cognitive, emotional and social processes and human behavior by observing, interpreting and recording how people relate to one another and their environments. Psychologists help people to cope with mental health issues, emotional problems and challenging situations using a range of psychological concepts and psychotherapeutic techniques. Psychologists are often called upon to evaluate and/or assist older adults with life stress or crisis and adaptation to late life issues. Psychologists play an equally important role facilitating the maintenance of healthy functioning, accomplishment of new life-cycle developmental tasks, and/or achievement of positive psychological growth in the later years.

PROFESSIONAL EDUCATOR

Professional educators are professionals with formal education, working with children, youth and adults. The target of their intervention are people and communities who are in need of socio-educational interventions. The social educators working in a variety of contexts, through individual actions, services and community-based programs in respect of professional ethics. They practice a wide range of roles, including direct assistance, training, supervision and leadership, advice and research in the socio-educational field.

HOMECARE ASSISTANT

A person who, as a free-lance or under the supervision of a home health or social service agency, assists an older, ill or disabled person with household chores, bathing, personal care and other daily living needs. Help vulnerable people to manage their daily activities and to live as independently as possible. The assistant is also a moral aid who must listen well and be empathetic. An homecare assistant shouldn't provide any kind of health care.

SOCIAL CARE WORKERS

Plan and provide professional care to vulnerable individuals and groups of all ages who experience marginalisation, disadvantage or special needs; professional who don’t provide health care and home aid, but monitor the general status of a frail older adult (pointing out problematic situations to the appointed reference people), foster social participation, help with shopping or going out, make company etc.