How to Become a Caregiver
Written by:
Jeffrey Grossman
Published:
August 28th, 2023
With the aging population growing and living longer, home care providers are in high demand. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for home health and personal care aides is expected to grow 25% from 2021 to 2031, which is five times faster than the average for all occupations.
These unsung heroes work tirelessly behind the scenes, providing essential care to seniors, allowing them to maintain their independence and dignity as they age. In this blog, we define the role of home care providers and outline how to become a home care provider for the elderly.
We’re hiring caregivers in Charlottesville, Richmond, Williamsburg, VA and Charleston, SC.
What Is a Home Care Provider For The Elderly?
As individuals age, physical limitations, medical conditions, or cognitive impairments may prevent them from being able to perform daily activities and tasks safely. In these cases, families may move their elderly loved ones into an assisted living facility or nursing home. However, with nearly 90% of older adults saying they want to age in place, home care providers are a better alternative.Home care providers, also known as in-home Caregivers, offer non-medical support to older adults in the comfort of their own homes. These elder care professionals enable the elderly to continue living independently while providing peace of mind to family members, knowing their loved one is getting the help they need.The duties of in-home Caregivers vary from client to client, but common senior care provider job responsibilities include:
Personal Care: Assist with activities of daily living (ADLs), such as bathing, grooming, dressing, and toileting.
Companionship: Provide social interaction and emotional support to combat loneliness and isolation.
Mobility Support: Help clients move around safely, whether it's walking, transferring, or positioning.
Meal Preparation: Prepare nutritious meals based on dietary restrictions and preferences.
Housekeeping: Maintain a clean and safe living environment by tidying up around the house (e.g., laundry, vacuuming).
Transportation: Arrange transportation when needed for errands, social events, and medical appointments.
Medication Reminders: Ensure that seniors take their prescribed medications on time and according to instructions.
While family members and friends often become Caregivers for their loved ones out of necessity, professional Caregivers are specially trained to provide elder care. Next, we explain how to become a home care provider for the elderly.
How to Become a Home Care Provider For The Elderly
What do you need to become a Caregiver? Let’s take a look at the basics of how to become a home care provider for the elderly.First, you’ll want to assess yourself. Even though there aren’t many prerequisites to becoming a Caregiver, it takes a special person to care for older adults. For example, those with dementia can experience drastic changes in mood. You’ll need to keep yourself calm, composed, and compassionate when emotions are high. Here are some qualities of a good Caregiver:
Compassionate
Empathetic
Patient
Kind
Reliable
Trustworthy
If you fit this description, caregiving may be the right career for you. Next, you’ll need to meet the minimum in-home Caregiver requirements: Since home care providers don’t provide health or medical care, the requirements are simple. It’s more about aptitude and personality.
Be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or equivalent.
Be physically able (i.e., able to push/pull/lift 20-50lbs).
Finally, you can begin applying for home care provider jobs.You don’t need to have prior knowledge, experience, or credentials to apply for home care provider positions. If you do, great! You’re one step ahead. If not, you’ll want to find a licensed home care agency that provides you with the proper Caregiver Training according to state regulations.At Commonwise Home Care, we offer Caregiver University (CU), a paid in-house Caregiver training program that merges online training content with in-person skills training—the search for “Caregiver training program near me” is over.
Enroll In Caregiver University by Commonwise Home Care
Whether you have years of caregiving experience or none at all, Commonwise Home Care’s Caregiver University is right for you. Many of our team members were previously teachers, babysitters, baristas, and retirees, just to name a few. Their common thread is the desire to care for others compassionately. Once you’re hired as a Commonwise Caregiver, you must enroll in CU.
Complete online training. The online portion of CU is taken by all new hires, regardless of experience. It’s a collection of engaging and interactive videos, games, flip cards, quizzes, and other stimulating activities.
Compete in-person training. The in-person training is split into two parts: Welcome Day and skills training.
Welcome Day. Everyone attends Welcome Day, where you’ll review the online training and learn the basics of working for Commonwise. After this session, those with prior caregiving training or experience can start taking clients.
Skills training. If you’re a brand new Caregiver, you’ll begin skills training. This is where you’ll demonstrate what you learned during the online courses and get feedback from our RN Care Managers.
Pursue ongoing training and certification. If you want to develop your Caregiver competencies, you can pursue additional certifications through “Level Up Days.” These days are times throughout the year that allow Caregivers to refresh their knowledge and learn new skills, which qualifies them for raises.
And don’t worry, you’re not on your own after you complete Caregiver training. Our Caregivers receive direct mentorship, clinical support, and real-time awareness of their emotional well-being. We care for our clients and each other—and we do it well.Browse our open Caregiver positions and apply to join the Commonwise Care Team today!
We’re hiring caregivers in Charlottesville, Richmond, Williamsburg, VA and Charleston, SC.