The end of life can be a tough subject to address with your aging parent or loved one. And while it’s not a fun thing to talk or even think about, it’s important to be prepared for what’s to come. One such situation is receiving a terminal medical diagnosis.
While thinking about final wishes such as funeral arrangements and a will is important, it’s equally as crucial to think about the best care possible for your loved one between diagnosis and the end of life. That’s where hospice can help.
Did you know that all people with Alzheimer’s disease have dementia, but not all people with dementia have Alzheimer’s? Alzheimer’s is a form of dementia and accounts for about 60-80% of dementia cases. This fact is an example of some of the many myths and misconceptions that exist about the disease.
In this article, we’ll discuss four things that many people don’t know about Alzheimer’s. Knowing these facts may help prevent the disease, or at the very least, help you be better prepared in case of an Alzheimer’s diagnosis.
Have you been thinking about becoming a caregiver, but not sure what it’s all about? Being a professional caregiver can be one of the most rewarding jobs out there. The work can be challenging, but for many professional caregivers, the benefits far outweigh the occasional difficulties they experience. Keep reading to learn ten reasons why you should consider starting a career in caregiving, plus how to get started!
As life expectancy rose (between 1959 and 2014, the US experienced a 9-year jump from 69.9 years to 78.9 years!), so does the need for elder care. The market has responded, and there are more choices than ever when seeking support with the aging process. And while having more options can be a good thing, the downside is the confusion that can result when you’re trying to figure out what’s best for your loved one. In this article, we’ll cover the six most common types of elder care so you can determine what might be right for your family.
Being a family caregiver means you’ll have to make many decisions about your parent’s care. One of these decisions is what to do when they need more help than you can give. There’s a lot of information out there about senior care, and it can be overwhelming to compare your choices with so many factors to consider.
For those who enjoy helping others but don’t have medical training, becoming a professional caregiver can be a great option. You can make a big impact on the life of a senior even if you don’t have formal caregiving experience. You can also can get started within weeks or even days of being hired. At Guardian Angels, we provide all the training needed to get started in this rewarding career.
If you’re considering helping our aging adults as your next career move, you may have seen a few different job titles being used interchangeably. Companion aide, home care aide, and in-home caregiver are different ways to say that you provide non-medical in-home care. This means there are restrictions to the type of care you can provide, but it also means that less training is required.
In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about getting hired, what happens before you start work, and additional training opportunities once you’re on the job.
Just like any job, the first step is to fill out the application! You don’t necessarily need to have formal caregiving experience to be called in for an interview. If you’ve cared for family members or loved ones in the past in an informal capacity, be sure to include that on your application. It’s more important that you have a desire for helping others and that you’re a compassionate and patient person. Here are a few other requirements:
Proficient in speaking, reading, and writing in English
A clean driving record (you will likely be asked to do incidental transportation for clients)
Once you’ve completed the interview process, there are a few more things that we check out before you can officially start care:
A nationwide FBI criminal history
Reference checks (14 personal and professional references required)
A background check through the Caregiver Background Check Bureau (a division of the Nebraska Department of Social Services)
A DMV driving record check
Drug testing
Lastly, each caregiver must be registered and cleared as a Home Care Aide with the Nebraska Department of Social Services’ Home Care Services Bureau.
Prior to starting work, you’ll attend an orientation and internal training session. This training is repeated each year to ensure you stay current on all important information.
There may also be additional on-the-job training depending on the needs of your client. For example, some clients have specific assistive devices that you may not be familiar with. Your care manager will provide any training you need to get started with your client and will be your go-to resource for any questions you may have as you provide care.
The learning doesn’t stop with this initial training. We encourage and incentivize continuing education so you feel empowered to grow your knowledge base to better meet the needs of our clients. You have the opportunity to become a specialist in certain conditions by taking the trainings assigned for our Specialty Programs:
Arthritis
Dementia/Alzheimer’s
Diabetes
Fall Prevention
Hospice
Orthopedic Recovery
Parkinson’s
Stroke
All our courses are created and reviewed by Registered Nurses and accredited by the state through the Nebraska Department of Public Health. These programs are optional – you can take none of them or all of them! But for every program you complete you’ll be given a raise and be better equipped to help a wider range of clients. These courses are online, and you can take them at your own pace. In fact, you could complete them all within a few weeks of starting work.
Beyond this additional training within Guardian Angels, many caregivers choose to pursue outside education and certification programs. You may want to get additional training through a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) program or become a home health aide.
Both of these certifications will give you a deeper understanding of the health issues that commonly affect seniors. Another option is to continue your training in a specific area, such as hospice. Some of our caregivers are working toward becoming a hospice doula. Whichever path you choose, know that we are here to support you!
As a professional caregiver, you can make a difference in the life of a senior without having years of training. Many in-home care agencies are willing to train the right people if you can meet a few requirements. At Guardian Angels, we pride ourselves on our caregiver training and development programs. We want to make sure you feel confident to give the best care possible to your clients, and that you feel supported and empowered in your work.
If you’re ready to learn more about becoming a caregiver, apply today. You can also read more about professional caregiving in our recent blog posts.
When considering whether to start in-home care for your parent, your main priority is likely focused on two things; – their health and safety. Having someone there in case of emergency, to prevent falls, and to drive them places so they don’t have to be on the road are all important duties of a caregiver.
And while the health and safety of your loved one will always be primary, bringing in a professional caregiver can bring so much more to you and your parent’s life! In this article, we’ll discuss some unexpected benefits that come along with hiring a professional caregiver for your parent.