Looking after an elderly family member or loved one can be both rewarding and challenging at the same time. But transitioning to serving as the primary caregiver can be an unexpected escalation of the expectations, responsibilities, and demands on your time and resources.Even so, you may still feel you’re prepared to provide the support they need, at least in terms of physical endurance and available time. What should you do, though, if you’re worried you lack the proper training, or that providing care will limit your ability to meet financial obligations?

The good news is, there are some options and some avenues for support that might be available to you, so you can more effectively provide support to your loved one. One of the best ways to do that is to become a certified caregiver.

Are You Ready to Become a Certified Caregiver?

Before you fully commit to something like this, it’s a good idea to have a full understanding of what kind of demands you’ll have to meet. This will vary by the needs of the individual, of course, but if you’re assuming the role of caregiver—especially if you’re getting certified for it—you’re cementing yourself as the person responsible for the well-being of the person being cared for. 

For some families, and in some situations, other options may be a more optimal fit. Hiring an agency to provide in-home care, or relocating your loved one to an assisted living facility may be alternatives to consider. In the end, though, you’re the one who knows the situation, how intense the support needs are, and how long the arrangement will likely need to last. So there’s no blanket instruction we can give that would hold any value. 

You’ll have to investigate and evaluate to make a determination that works for you. 

Understanding the Role and Responsibilities

A lot can go into providing at-home care. In some cases, you’re just there to keep an eye on them, and perhaps handle chores that prove too strenuous. But it can be quite a bit more than that. You may be expected to do things like feed, clothe, and bathe your loved one. It may fall to you to manage their finances and make medical decisions on their behalf. 

What’s more, if their health is in steady decline, the demands may only become more intense over time. Many family caregivers begin looking after their family when demands are less severe, only for the situation to escalate as time passes. And with more than half of caregivers reporting a lack of training or qualification for the more medical-related duties, there’s a lot of room for self-doubt, human error, and hardship for everyone involved. 

There are also a number of legal and logistical considerations, which we won’t dig into here (it deserves its own discussion). Suffice to say that getting certified will help with the training, some of the legal issues, and may help you secure some form of financial support while you’re providing care.

Do You Need to Be Certified?

It depends, but not necessarily. As we mentioned above, if you’re providing occasional check-ins or low-demand care, especially if what you do only occupies a small portion of your time, getting certified may not be required or even worth the additional investment. 

That being said, the more advanced the support needs become, and the more time you are required to spend caring for your family member, the more value certification has to offer. Getting certified can:

  • Help you feel more confident and capable when provide care
  • Teach you how to watch for potential problems and early warning signs in a variety of areas
  • Provide legitimacy that may be needed if you are pursuing compensation from health insurance, public programs, or the like
  • Assist you in building a support network and identifying available options should you need them

Completing Caregiver Education and Skills Training

There are a number of available programs you can sign up for to pursue training and certification, at a variety of price points. On your end of things, the most important aspect is the training—learning how to better care for your loved one. Externally, though, the key value is the certification itself. The same way credentials validate the expertise and capability of other professions, it will lend weight and authority to yours.

Exploring Training and Certification Program Options

You can acquire certification from a number of places, including institutions of learning that are broader than just caregiving and assisted living management (ALM). But in the US, the officially recognized accrediting body for these certifications is the American Caregiver Association, and you can get the training from them directly. 

Beyond general training, there are also options for specializing in the care of specific patient types (e.g. patients with Alzheimers). That may be more than you need for your situation, but it’s something to consider if the person you look after has unique needs.

Passing the Caregiver Certification Exam and Background Check

Again, programs vary, but the National Caregiver Certification Course offered by the ACA can serve as a baseline. This course is just $99, features a self-study format, and can be completed in as little as two days. 

Can I Be Paid to Be a Caregiver for a Family Member?

The short answer is “possibly.” A lot of this is very circumstantial, based on the individual, their location, the health coverage they have access to, and a number of other factors. But here are a few highlights:

  • You may be able to qualify as a paid caregiver through state Medicaid, the patient’s other health insurance provider, via long-term care insurance, other public programs (such as those for veterans), by using medical family leave through your employer, and through local support agencies. 
  • It very possible that in order to qualify as a paid caregiver, there will be some additional hoops to jump through, such as applying for additional credentials, passing background checks, and more.
  • What you can expect in wages will vary, both by where they’re coming from and where you live. 
  • Some of these programs and sources are intended for long-term use, while others will have much less forgiving end dates.

The Road Forward

As you prepare to dedicate yourself (or rededicate yourself, as the case may be) to the support and care of someone you love, remember that you don’t have to do it alone, and that you deserve to have access to help when you need it. After all, the better prepared and the better equipped you are, the higher the quality of care you can provide.

When possible and where applicable, stay up-to-date with continued education. Not only will this help you keep your credentials current, but it may help lead to other professional opportunities in the future. 

Be honest with yourself when something is outside your current capacity, and know where to go for assistance. There are support programs for caregivers themselves, both locally and across the country. Don’t hesitate to lean on them if the situation calls for it. 

And finally, don’t forget to look after yourself, as well. These are some of the most challenging and taxing responsibilities a person can be charged with, so allow yourself to have needs of your own, and try to address them as often as is feasible.

We at Inhomecare.com hope to help you and your loved ones. Visit our site and take the first step toward a safer, more independent future today!