How to Qualify to be a Caregiver for the Elderly at Home
According to the United States Department of Labor, the occupational demand for in-home caregivers is projected to increase by 51 percent between the years 2006 and 2016. This is primarily due to tremendous growth in the senior population and a subsequent need to control costs. In-home care for the elderly does not require a great deal of technical skill, but many states do insist on some education and training. The primary role of in-home caregivers is to assist the elderly with their day-to-day activities and to ensure their safety.
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Instructions
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Training, accreditation and protection
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Contact a reputable agency such as the National Association for Home Care and Hospice (NAHCH) to help you find educational resources in your area. This is the first and most important step to take in order learn how to become qualified as a home health aide. Currently there are no national standards to qualify one to be a home health aide. Most caregivers acquire their training on the job. However, this makes it difficult for agencies, families and caregivers to ensure that the elderly receive the best in-home care possible.
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Research opportunities for training. The NAHCH offers voluntary educational and credentialing programs including online classes and workshops. RTCLEARN.NET is an online program designed specifically for educating home care providers. You can access them from the NAHCH website.
There are also many community colleges and nursing homes that offer part-time, short-term vocational programs. Contact those in your area as they are often less expensive and may even lead to employment opportunities.
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Get accredited. Home Care University, another affiliate of NAHCH, offers an accreditation program to help create standards for home care aides. Their primary goals are both to ensure the well-being of elderly clients and their caregivers and to make sure the caregiver is prepared for any emergencies that might arise.
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Protect your own health. Home health aides routinely suffer back injuries, get exposed to infectious diseases and face constant demands to their physical and emotional well-being. Whether you are assisting a client with getting out of bed or trying to prevent a fall injury, make sure you learn and practice proper body mechanics. Always bend at the knees rather than the waist and do not allow anyone to grab onto you at the neck. There are gait belts available to help you assist unsteady clients that are capable of supporting at least half of their weight.
Prevent possible contagion by practicing good hand-washing techniques. Always keep a supply of single-use gloves on hand for dealing with body fluids. As people age, their skin becomes fragile. Home health aides are frequently required to deal with wounds such as bed sores and skin tears. Get tested for tuberculosis. Make sure you are up-to-date on your vaccinations including hepatitis B, influenza and pneumonia.
Take care of your own needs. One of the most common causes of caregiver burnout is the failure to recognize the importance of balance. Yes, you take care of others but who takes care of you? Make sure to eat a nutritious diet, get plenty of sleep and exercise regularly. Take time off to get away from the job, especially when caring for the terminally ill. When a client dies, find emotional support to help you process your own grief. It's never easy to lose someone you have spent many long hours taking care of.
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Make your background your best asset. Get a voluntary background check. These are available online and can be verified by potential employers and local, state and federal agencies. Additionally, if you are providing transportation such as trips to the doctor or leisurely outings, get a DMV printout of your driving record.
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Tips & Warnings
Always keep in mind that networking is a valuable tool for the home health aide. Ask employers for references, and join volunteer networks and caregiver associations. These resources make finding employment and improving your skills much easier.
