Use This FREE Resource (You Might Even Get Paid)!
The number one question that families have when choosing to care for their loved ones is, “I’m not a nurse. I have no medical training. How am I supposed to care for my loved one?” It’s a valid concern. Caring for an aging or ill loved one can be a challenge, and everyday tasks such as bathing or feeding are especially difficult when medical needs come into play.
I’ve always encouraged patients and their families to lean upon their medical team and call with any questions. Hospice staff, in particular, are equipped and ready to train families to perform many of the necessary duties in caring for someone with complex medical needs within a home environment. But now, a new resource is available to caregivers whether their patient is on Hospice or not.
Tell Me More!
Throughout 2023, I worked with Givers Health to develop a virtual training program for family caregivers (as well as paid care professionals) caring for patients and loved ones in a home environment. Our team, including a Nurse Practitioner, two Registered Nurses, a Geriatric Care Manager, and a Registered Dietitian, created this FREE library of videos that clearly demonstrate how to perform tasks and care on a variety of topics, including:
Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
- Bathing
- Toileting
- Eating/Feeding
- Ambulation/Walking
- Dressing
- Transferring
- Grooming
- Assistive Devices for Eating/Feeding
- Incontinence Care
- Lift & Vehicle Transfers
- Skin Health & Care
Safety & Infection Control
- Hand Hygiene
- Personal Protective Equipment
- Home Safety
- Emergency Planning
Diagnosis Specific Care
- Cancer
- Dementia/Alzheimer’s
- Diabetes
- Heart Disease
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Stroke
Caregiver Support
- Life Completion (End-of-Life Care)
- Asking for Help
- Conflict Resolution
- Activities Planning
- Strategies & Planning for Family Caregivers
- Emergency Preparedness for Caregivers
How Do I Use this Incredible Resource?
To access the videos, sign up for free here. Once you are signed in, you’ll find the videos in two areas. First, under the “My Learning” tab (located at the top of the screen), you’ll see a “Core Caregiving Skills” course. The 3-hour course is divided into many micro courses that can be accessed individually. These are the core skills that apply to most caregiving situations.
In addition to the Core Courses, you can access more specific content through the “Catalog” tab (found at the top of the screen). Once there, choose the “category” drop-down and select all options before clicking “apply.” This will display a list of the other available online courses. To take each, you’ll enter the course and select “enroll” to place it into your “My Learning” portal.
You can take as many or as few courses as you’d like, and there is no timeframe in which you must complete each course. You can access the courses as often as you need to and may choose to receive a certificate of completion at the end.
Can I Get Paid to Take These Free Courses?
If you are a paid caregiver in California, you may qualify for compensation after completing the courses. Through their CalGrows program, the California Department of Aging offers incentive payments to direct care workers throughout the state, including CNAs, Community Health Workers, Home Care Aides, and more. The program, aimed at developing a stronger workforce of caregivers for its population, provides learners with up to $6,000.00 in financial incentives for completing the online training. To learn more and determine if you qualify to earn as you learn, check out the CalGrows eligibility criteria here.
Unpaid family caregivers and caregivers outside of California do not qualify for payment incentives through the program but may still access the resource, free of charge. If you are an unpaid family caregiver, existing programs may help with care or reimburse you for your time, depending on your location. Check out this Guide to Navigating the Caregiver Shortage for more information on available resources.
As always, be sure to speak with your patient’s medical team before making any changes related to their care.