By 2035, there will be more Americans aged 65 years and older than those 18 and younger.  This developing demographic shift will add more pressure to an already aging population. However, there will also emerge new opportunities for younger Americans to take up caregiving roles. 

If you have an interest in caregiving, the next half-century may present endless openings. Before you become a caregiver, there are certain qualifications you must meet. 

Here’s everything you need to know about becoming a caregiver. 

Who Is a Caregiver?

A caregiver is an individual tasked with providing care and ensuring the well-being of an elder. For most seniors, aging presents numerous health-related challenges. Such emerging issues include memory loss, immobility, or poor eyesight.   

Caregiving may involve more than just meeting the healthcare needs of such seniors. You might need to provide support on other personal matters such as grooming and hygiene. This level of care may require special training, education, and certification.

What Caregiving Entails

When you take up caregiving as a career path, you should be willing to consider various roles. Providing companionship is among the most important roles for a caregiver. You may also plan and prepare meals for the senior assigned to you.

Caregiving also entails undertaking light housekeeping duties, especially in cases where the senior is in residential care. Caregivers are also in charge of medication reminders for the elders. The other important role entails assisting with personal care, such as toileting and bathing.

You might also need to offer basic health care for seniors with Alzheimer’s or dementia. All these duties depend on the state of health of the respective patients. 

Basic Qualifications to Become a Caregiver 

Caregiving isn’t for the faint-hearted. The ability to offer personal care like toileting requires empathy. You might need to have an exceptional capability to adapt to various living environments. Caregivers also need to develop interpersonal communication skills when dealing with seniors. 

These skills come gradually as you work with golden agers. Seniors are delicate, something that comes with age. As such, caregivers need to interact with seniors in a friendly and congenial manner. You must also always show the highest levels of dignity and respect when handling seniors. 

Apart from these inherent or learned attributes, you might need other critical qualifications to become a caregiver. First, you might need to be at least 21 years or older. Second, you might also need at least a high school diploma or GED before starting.

Most facilities that provide long-term care set higher standards when it comes to hiring caregivers. You might need to pursue further skills through assisted learning courses. In California and some other states, you need to have the Residential Care Facility for the Elderly license. 

However, before you get your license, you need to put in at least 35 hours to graduate with the Adult Residential facility certificate. The regulations are important in protecting the welfare of the seniors and upholding caregiver qualifications. 

Are you looking for online classes for your ARF certification to help with your RCFE license? Look no further. 

Seniors Require Professional Care 

Caregiving is not a walk in the park. Most people assume that this process only entails basic care. However, if you want to become a caregiver, you might need a combination of skills to ensure top-notch care for your clients.

This need for professionalism is the reason every caregiver should pursue an RCFE licensing. This can be done by first getting an ARF certificate.   

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