I’m not sure where my family would be without the help of our Certified Nursing Aide. The CNA provided by our Home Care Agency comes in twice a week to help care for my aging mother. She allows me to continue working outside the home and provides respite for the other family caregivers. She is a wonderful companion, making mom’s day brighter with her gentleness and humor. It gives me great peace of mind knowing that while I’m away, my mother is in the hands of a professional caregiver.
June 13 – 20 is National Nursing Assistants Week and a great opportunity to show your admiration, respect and appreciation for direct care worker in your life. Sponsored by the National Network of Career Nursing Assistants, this week “provides a timely opportunity to foster and showcase the wonderful things that can happen for residents and workers when we join together.”
Because of the aging of our population, qualified nursing assistants are in high demand. In 2010, there were more than 1.5 million people working as Certified Nursing Assistants nationwide. According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants is expected to grow by 20 percent from 2010 to 2020, faster than the average for all occupations.
In honor of my mother’s CNA, I’m going to do a little more than just give her a Starbuck’s gift card (although I’ll do that as well.) I’m going to try to affect some real change by advocating for in-home care on a legislative level. Today, I’m signing the petition on Change.org , and entreat President Obama to finish what he started on December 15, 2011 — to extend federal minimum wage and overtime protections to home care workers.
At Caregiverlist, we applaud those who give so tirelessly of themselves by caring for some of the most vulnerable of our society. CNAs are the backbone of the senior caregiving community.
If you are now or are considering becoming a CNA, visit our Caregiving Career Center to build a resume, apply for a job or get the training you need to start you on a career path that really makes a difference in peoples’ lives.
