How to Get Paid for Taking Care of the Elderly In-Home

A career taking care of the elderly can be rewarding.

There are various ways to get paid for taking care of the elderly in their homes. Many workers are employed full- or part-time as in-home nursing aides, certified nursing assistants, geriatric aides, or unlicensed assistive personnel, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). According to the agency, overall employment of nursing aides is projected to grow 19 percent by 2018 (from 2008 when the BLS issued the projection. That's faster than the average for all occupations, according to the BLS.

Instructions

1. Seek a job with a company providing in-home care for the elderly. Several national companies and local companies offer in-home care for the elderly. Contact your area's chamber of commerce for referrals. Call the companies and ask about openings for in-home caregivers and the education and experience requirements. Some companies require no formal experience and only a high school diploma or GED. Training is provided and you will be sent out to provide care for an elderly person for a set number of hours.

2. Broaden your options with more formal training. According to the BLS, entry-level nursing training is offered in high schools, some nursing care facilities, vocational-technical centers, and some community colleges. Coursework includes nutrition, body mechanics, physiology, anatomy, communication skills and infection control. Personal care skills, including learning to help patients feed, bathe and groom themselves, are also taught. You can also elect to enroll in state-approved training leading to a license as a certified nursing assistant (CNA).

3. Use your advanced training to seek positions with private or government agencies. Social services agencies in your area may employ certified nursing assistants to check on the elderly. For-profit hospitals or nursing homes may also offer outpatient services provided by a geriatric aide. Or you could start your own business offering in-home care for the elderly.

References

• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Nursing and Psychiatric Aidess
• Home Instead Senior Care: Become a Care Giver
• National Association of Health Care Assistants: Geriatric Care Specialist Correspondence Course