pengasuh

Pengasuh is a term used in Indonesian and Malay-speaking communities to describe a person who provides care for others, especially children, the elderly, or persons with disabilities. A pengasuh can be a family member, a hired nanny or babysitter, or a staff member in a childcare facility or care home. The role ranges from informal caregiving to professional caregiving in homes or centers.

Duties commonly associated with pengasuh include supervising activities and ensuring safety, preparing meals and assisting with feeding and hygiene, helping with homework or developmental activities, and performing light caregiving tasks. They may monitor health, administer routine medications under guidance, support emotional and social development, and maintain communication with parents or guardians about the well-being and progress of those in their care. For infants and vulnerable individuals, duties are usually aligned with established care plans and safety protocols.

Training and qualifications vary by country, job type, and setting. Some pengasuh have formal training in early childhood education, caregiving, or related fields, along with first aid and CPR certification. In many places, employers conduct background checks and request references. Employment can be arranged as live-in or live-out, hired directly by families, or through agencies or care facilities.

Legal and cultural context: protections, wages, and working hours for pengasuh are governed by local labor and family-protection laws, which differ across jurisdictions. In some contexts, domestic workers’ rights and child-protection norms influence expectations for training, contracts, and supervision. Terminology varies: pengasuh anak commonly denotes child-focused care, while pengasuh lansia refers to elder care, and more clinical roles may use terms like perawat or asisten perawatan.