Not sure how to do basic hygiene tasks, first aid, or toileting for aging adults? Family caregivers are exposed to new challenges that often result in reactive training (i.e., going to Google when something happens to learn how to deal with it). However, there are many proactive training centers (both online and in-person) that offer a variety of caregiver training courses. If you're in need of caregiver training, take a look at the available resources listed below and find the best option for you.
Family Caregiving Training
Skills You Can Expect to Learn
The following is a list of 19 skills that you could possibly learn about in caregiving training classes:
- Caregiver job responsibilities
- Communication skills
- Personal care and toileting
- Basic hygiene and basic infection control
- Emergency procedures
- Measuring vital signs and documentation
- Understanding abuse and neglect
- Stroke care
- How to assist in Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
- Maintaining a clean, safe, and healthy environment
- Alzheimer's, dementia, and memory care
- Safety, fall prevention, and first aid
- Nutrition and meal preparation
- Exercise and maintaining mobility
- Infection prevention and control
- Managing medications and prescriptions
- Handing difficult behaviors
- Managing caregiver stress
- End-of-life care
How to Find Caregiver Training in Your Area
As we said earlier, many of the skills learned are the same required of at-home professional care aids. Below is a list of where you can find training opportunities. If you don’t find what you are looking for here, be sure to research directly with your state’s Department of Aging. Some additional options include:
Caregiver Training University
The Caregiver Training University site offers training for those wanting to be certified professional caregivers. These skills are applicable to family caregivers as well. There cost associated with these trainings is roughly $59.
Alzheimer’s Association Care Training
At ALZ.org you can find online training options and e-learning workshops that provide training in dementia care. There may be a cost associated with some of the online courses (around $25-$30). The free e-workshops are available on-demand.
The Institute for Professional Care Education
The Family Learning Center is an online training resource containing over 50 courses created for individuals who are providing care for their loved ones. You can request a free demo to learn more about the online training courses before purchasing them. There is a cost associated with these trainings.
Free Resources Available
In addition to paid trainings, there are free resources available such as:
- Family Caregiving Alliance: Practical Skills Training for Family Caregivers. This is an overview of the day-to-day, hands-on strategies and skills caregivers need to maintain a frail older or chronically ill individual at home.
- HealthinAging: Eldercare at Home: Caregiving How Tos. This site provides guidance and training on common caregiving issues.
Do your research to find out the best option for you. Taking a few minutes to get trained today will help you provide the best care possible.
