Caregiver training requirements vary in each state in the U.S.A. but look for more states to pass legislation requiring specific training and mandating training programs to be passed before working as a professional senior caregiver. This is because senior care truly does require many skills and this includes understanding how to safely monitor medications, manage nutrition and physical and mental exercise. As elder abuse can also be an issue, professional caregivers are trained to monitor for signs of abuse (remember, the #1 type of elder abuse is financial).
Illinois caregivers must now complete a training program to learn the basic senior care skills and this training can now be obtained online through a 10-hour training course. More than 33 states require some type of training with Florida and New Jersey leading the way for home health aide certification training.
Caregiver training courses include the following skills, for basic professional caregiving job duties:
- Duties of a Caregiver
- Communication with Others
- Observation, Reporting and Recording
- Providing Personal Care
- Promoting and Maintaining Good Mobility
- Elimination and Toileting
- Infection Control
- Environmental Hazards and Safety
- Basic First Aid
- Understanding Elder Abuse
Certified caregiver training can be purchased through an online caregiver training course which caregivers may take at their own pace. Once caregivers pass the course at 80%, they will be certified and may explore additional training programs for memory loss and consider becoming a Certified Nursing Aide. C.N.A. programs are administered in all states of the U.S.A. and require working in the field and passing the state C.N.A. exam. Take a sample C.N.A. test to learn more about certified nursing assistant training in the Caregiverlist C.N.A. School Directory.
