One of the most rewarding occupations out there is senior home care, which is the position of a live in care giver for someone over the age of sixty-five, or who has a medical condition that requires constant care. There are literally hundreds of thousands of seniors that need live in care, and training for this position is almost a guarantee that you will be able to find a job.
Those that are considering this position need to be aware of what is required. Generally, a home health care provider is called an aide, although more training or education may be required for patients that require intensive care, most of the jobs available just require a home health aide. Each state has different requirements, but all states require that aides be certified.
Most of the time, health care aides will be required to complete a certain number of training hours before they can receive their certification. This training will be in the classroom, but most programs also require a certain amount of hands on training as well. There will also be an examination before you can receive certification. Aides may also train or certify in additional areas in order to increase their chances for employment.
There are a number of jobs that encompass the home health aid for seniors. The main job is generally basic medical care which can include taking pulse and blood pressure readings regularly and reporting them, as well as helping the senior with basic hygiene tasks, or helping to administer medication. There may be other tasks that an aide will be required to perform as well.
Aides may also be called upon to do tasks that aren’t necessarily medical care. This might include assisting the senior citizen with light housekeeping tasks or cooking for the one being cared for. Also, the senior may need help remembering to pay bills, or may need assistance with household chores like grocery shopping or organizing.
To be a home health care aide and be successful, the provider must be aware of the feelings and emotions of the person that they are caring for. It can be difficult for the senior to accept that they need help and the provider should be compassionate and understand about this, as well as strive for professionalism at all times.
Work experience as a home health aide can easily become your key to a brighter future. If you are striving toward a nursing license or another higher level of education, your work experience will certainly help. At the very least, you will be able to use it on your resume or application and you may even get college credit for it.
The pay for senior home care varies by state and by the job. However, most of the time these positions are well paid, and are above the minimum wage. However, the more experience that you have, and the more certification or education that you have attained, the better your chances are of finding even higher paid employment.
