ACCELERATED COURSE
A Caregiver is a person who gives care to people who need help taking care of themselves. Examples include children, the elderly, or patients who have chronic illnesses or are disabled. Caregivers may be health professionals, family members, friends, social workers, or members of the clergy. They may give care at home or in a hospital or other health care setting.
They help with activities of daily living as well as to provide companionship for their clients. They do not perform medical care. Instead, caregivers have a personal touch. They develop close ties with those in their care as they help with the day-to-day needs that a senior might not be able to do on their own any longer. Whether it’s bathing, or grocery shopping, or even cooking their meals, a caregiver can help fill in the gap that is needed.
Types of Caregivers
Because “caregiver” and “caretaker” refer to anyone who provides care, there are different types of caregivers. When it comes to senior care, these are the types of caregivers that you may hear about.
Private-duty caregiver: Private-duty caregivers are hired through an agency. These caregivers are typically screened through the agency, bonded, and insured. Working through a caregiver agency, families can get a backup caregiver if their scheduled caregiver can’t make a shift.
Independent caregivers: These caregivers are also known as private caregivers, but they should not be confused with private-duty caregivers. Independent caregivers do now work through an agency. While the cost can be cheaper, families paying for these caregivers take on the liability of letting someone in their home.
Family caregiver: Family caregivers are members of the family who choose to care for a loved one. These caregivers may be children, spouses, or other family members. They may work another job in addition to their responsibilities and usually don’t receive compensation for their service.
Respite caregiver: A respite caregiver provides care for a period of time to give a family caregiver a break. These caregivers can be private-duty or independent caregivers, but the role implies that they are not long-term caregivers.
Caregiver Qualifications
Caregiver requirements vary from country to country; state to state, so there is various educational levels and certifications available and required for all caregivers. For example, some caregivers are only required to have 40 hours of training, while others might require 120 hours of education and training. Caregivers can work for agencies that have their own set of standards as well.
Benefits of a becoming a Caregiver
Caregivers provide many benefits to seniors and their families. Here are just a few of the benefits:
Benefits of Being a Caregiver
Caregiving is a rewarding opportunity, whether it be for a loved one or as a career. It’s a personal and human experience, bringing us closer to another person to ensure they get the care they need. While there are sacrifices to being a caregiver, there are many benefits too.
1. Caregiving Gives You a Purpose
Caregiving is, by definition, an act of giving that devotes your time and attention to someone that needs it. Your client or clients need your care, support, and companionship; giving you a sense of purpose each day. When you care for someone, they become your focus, and you work to ensure you meet their needs.
2. You’ll Find Appreciation in Your Clients
While it may not always be explicitly stated, when you become a caregiver for someone, they will most likely appreciate your care. The families of your clients should also be thankful and appreciate the work you do, knowing you care for their loved one.
3. You Learn New Skills
When you’re a caregiver, you’ll have to learn various skills to keep up with your client or family member’s needs. Some are standard practices, like meal prep, cleaning, and driving, while others may be administering medications and checking blood pressure. If your client or loved one has Alzheimer’s or Dementia, effective communication skills may be a valuable skill you learn to interact with them better.
4. Caregiving Helps Build Confidence
Your clients rely on you to provide the care they need. This enables you to rise to the level necessary, giving you the confidence and ability to care for your clients. Your confidence also helps you when learning the new skills you need for your role.
5. A Flexible Work Schedule
Caregiving is an ever-changing job; no two days are the same. It allows you to travel between clients, and in some cases, you can create your own schedule. It doesn’t confine you to a 9-5 position but instead is flexible based on the needs of your loved one or client.
6. Caregiving Fulfills Your Desire to Help
Being a caregiver grants you the opportunity to help those who truly need it. Nothing is more admirable than helping those through the later years of their lives. You’ll form a true bond with your client and feel satisfaction and gratification for caring for them as you would for a friend or loved one.
7. You Meet New People with Unique Lives
Building relationships with your clients is a key part and benefit of caregiving. Companionship allows you to get close to people you might not otherwise. Our seniors have a magnitude of experiences and stories from their life that have ultimately shaped them into exciting people to be around. Your time caring for them creates a unique bond, and you’ll find that caregiving is gratifying and personable.
8. You Build a Meaningful Career
Another benefit of caregiving is it’s rewarding experience and career. Caregiving is an appreciated career path and something you should be proud of doing. You’ll know that your actions have a direct impact on someone’s life for the better and that your care, support, and companionship actively enrich someone’s life.
4 Benefits of Caring for a Loved One
1. You Know They’re Receiving the Care They Need
One of the benefits of becoming a caregiver for your loved one is you guarantee they’re getting the care they need. When you care for your loved one, you are actively part of their life and see the care and support they need to get through each day.
2. It Strengthens Your Bond
Caregiving is a highly personal job, and undoubtedly you will build a closer relationship with your loved one than you’d ever imagine. You’ll gain the opportunity to learn more about them, build a unique bond, and be there for them when they need it most. These experiences won’t go unnoticed.
3. You Learn to Focus on What’s Important
When you care for a loved one so closely, you’ll gain a greater perspective of life and the things that matter. In addition, it puts into perspective how things change and what becomes important as we get older.
4. You See What Care You May Need in the Future
It offers a unique perspective into your future. As someone who cares for a loved one, you’ll become well aware of what you may need or want as you get older. This can be anything from home care, insurance, home modifications, and even support groups.
BENEFITS OF GETTING A CERTIFICATION
The difference between a good caregiver and a great one often comes down to training. Well-trained caregivers are better able to handle all the different situations that might arise on the job. They can prevent falls, injuries and hospitalizations. They can also help manage medications and take vital signs, recognize red-flags and act quickly if the patient is having a medical emergency. A good caregiver should also effectively communicate with the rest of the healthcare team in order to ensure no critical information is missed. Clients and their families can feel secure in the knowledge that a well-trained caregiver is competent and trustworthy.
Caregiver certification can enhance confidence as well as add an incredible addition to your experience of caregiving. Moreover, it can also pave the way towards new opportunities in caregiving, such as working for an elder dementia patient, hospice, and many more.
Salary and job outlook for certified caregivers
The average salary for certified caregivers can vary depending on your geographic location, specialty, education, certifications and training. The national average for all caregivers is $30,326 per year
They may work full-time or part-time hours, providing care to patients as needed. This may include overtime hours, weekend shifts or overnight stays. Your salary may vary depending on your work environment and typical hours.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) groups caregivers into the home health aide and personal aide career field. They expect careers in this field to grow by 34% from 2019 to 2029, which is much higher than the average for all careers. As the population ages, the BLS expects more people to need healthcare services.
TRAINING OUTLINE AND DURATION
Caregiver certification accelerated course runs for 3-weeks
CURRICULUM
The Fundamentals of Caregiving
The Roles & Responsibilities of Carers
Legal & Ethical Issues in Caregiving
Communications & the Caregiving Process
Infections, Nutrition & Food Safety
Emergencies, Falls & Fire Safety
Diploma in Caregiving – First Assessment
Understanding Dementia
Working with Clients with Dementia
How Ageing Effects the Body
Traumatic Injuries & Preparing for Death
Diploma in Caregiving – Second Assessment
And more…
TUITION:
Tuition is set at 250,000NGN TOTAL PACKAGE (includes textbook, handouts, use of medical equipment, certificate and First Aid & CPR training from The American Health & Safety Institute).
A 25% discount is however available for the next batch; they will pay a total of 150,000NGN. There is no payment plan available for this training
START DATE FOR NEXT BATCH
TBA
COURSE OUTLINE
Lecture will take place at our training center in Buena Vista Estate, Lekki on Mondays through Thursday, 10am to 3pm, for 3 weeks.
Lectures are provided by highly skilled Doctors, Nurses, Anatomists, Physiologist and Physiotherapist.
Class attendance is mandatory for all students, lectures are interactive as well as practical.