| Employment as a senior caregiver brings fulfillment | | | | caregiver will work in a hospital or nursing home with |
| beyond a paycheck. Job duties include assisting with | | | | the supervision of the trained staff. Most certification |
| meals, laundry, medication management, daily | | | | courses for nursing aides and home health aides |
| exercises, bathroom visits, bathing and maintaining a | | | | require the following for admission: |
| clean household. In addition, companionship is an | | | | - High School Diploma or Equivalent |
| important part of senior care as friends may have | | | | - Criminal Background Check |
| passed away and family members may live far away. | | | | - Turbeculosis Skin Test |
| What are the employment opportunities for senior | | | | - Reading Comprehension Exam |
| caregivers? | | | | - English Competency |
| - Nursing Home Nursing Aide | | | | - Drug Test |
| - Hospital Nursing Aide | | | | - Minimum Age of 18 A state exam must be passed |
| - Assisted Living Nursing Aide | | | | for final certification. The cost of certification programs |
| - Senior Home Care Agency Caregiver or Nursing | | | | can be from $600 to $2,000 and often financial aid |
| Aide What certifications are required? | | | | and grants are available, especially through community |
| Nursing homes and most Assisted Living communities | | | | college programs. Caregivers increase their job |
| will require caregivers providing hands-on assistance to | | | | prospects by becoming certified and are able to show |
| be certified as a nursing aide or home health aide and | | | | potential employers that they have an understanding |
| some senior home care agencies also require | | | | of the basic skills needed to safely provide care for a |
| certification for some assignments. However, the | | | | senior. |
| specific certification varies depending on the | | | | If you are thinking of obtaining certification, research |
| requirements of your state's department of health. | | | | programs early and talk to other certified caregivers to |
| Training for most certification programs requires | | | | learn about the challenges they experienced. |
| classroom work, along with field work where the | | | | |