How To Start A Career Caring For Older Adults?

How To Start A Career Caring For Older Adults

Did you know that there will be 1.3 million new caregiving jobs just waiting to be filled in the next 5 years? As you have heard many people state, Americans are reaching retirement age at the rate of 10,000 per day, such rapid growth creates a challenge because in the US, we currently do not have enough health care workers to extend care to these older adults as they age and decline in health. This creates an opportunity for individuals that desire to enter a career in healthcare.

If you have ever wondered what it takes to be a caregiver, start by asking yourself these questions… Do you love to serve others? Are you a patient? Do you appreciate elderly wisdom? Do you find joy in helping those who are more vulnerable? If you answered yes to any of these questions, a career in caregiving might be right for you!

There are different types of caregiving for the elderly, and in different settings- The most common are: care at home, where the caregiver travels to the elderly person’s residence and extends care to them in the comfort of their own home; this is the most popular way as a study by AARP states that 90 percent of seniors want to “age in place” which means to stay in their own home, and in their familiar surroundings. Usually, this service is provided by private caregivers, Direct Care Workers, or Home Health Aides- and it includes services such as companionship for the older adult, or providing personal care, including bathing, dressing, meal preparation, and medication reminders.

When an older adult is no longer able to stay at home, they may choose to move-in to an independent living or an assisted living community: these can be residences licensed to host up to 10 residents, or a larger facility that can have hundreds of residents. Caregivers are hired by these communities to provide care to their residents in this setting.

A Caregiver can earn between $10.00 – $15.00 per hour approximately depending on their training and experience. Usually, a background check is required, which may exclude those who have a criminal record, and training can be obtained by one of the state licensed schools.

At Academy for Caregiving Excellence, we offer several courses; varying from 2-day basic caregiving course, to the State-licensed Assisted Living Certification course, lasting 3 weeks.

There are many grants out there that provide funding for this type of training, and Academy for Caregiving Excellence offers options, including scholarships for those who qualify, and payment installment options.

For more information on how to become a caregiver, call us at 520-338-4402, we always have a bilingual team member ready to take your call. You can also visit our website www.academyforcaregiving.com for more information on class dates and pre-requisites.