Training & Development for Caregivers
Transcript:
Welcome to the Senior Home Companions podcast. Today, I have Meredith Miller with me to discuss the training and development of caregivers. Meredith, would you like to introduce yourself?
Sure! My name is Meredith Miller, and I am currently the Executive Director of our Indianapolis office here at Senior Home Companions. I've been in this role for about six months now, and a major highlight has been general training and development for our caregivers. I’m a recent graduate of Ohio Northern University—go Polar Bears! I'm really excited to be part of this team and to dive into this topic.
Thank you so much for being here today, Meredith. I'm sure our listeners will gain a lot of valuable information from you. Let's dive right into our first question: How do you balance practical hands-on experience with formal education?
Good question! I will preface this by saying that I also have caregiving experience; I was a CNA in college for about five years. During that time, I went through caregiver training and completed CNA school while working in the field. When it comes to balancing hands-on experience and formal education, you can memorize all the information you want—flashcards and all—but if you don’t know how to put a client’s Ted hose on, for example, then the formal education becomes less relevant. It is crucial to have hands-on experience and practice those skills with clients.
Are there specialized training programs tailored to the unique needs of memory care, dementia, or Alzheimer's patients?
Yes, it's essential that such programs exist because these clients have many different needs when it comes to care. Their care will look very different; even if it's the same task—like brushing teeth—getting them to do it requires a lot of patience and reminders. If you're working with someone who has Alzheimer's, they may not remember what they just asked you to do. It's not appropriate to say, "I just told you this." You need to support them as a loving caregiver, helping them feel comfortable in their own home.
How important is ongoing professional development for caregivers, and what kind of opportunities should they pursue throughout their careers?
Ongoing professional development is very important because client needs change; clients are only getting older, and medicine is always evolving. Many caregivers have years of experience doing things a certain way, but that may not always be the best approach. Caregivers can pursue opportunities like obtaining their CNA license or entering nursing school while gaining hands-on experience in a home setting.
What certifications or advanced training programs would you recommend for caregivers looking to grow in their role?
There are professional licenses that caregivers can obtain, but it's crucial for them to ask questions and realize that we are here as resources for them. We have coordinators who handle scheduling and are CNAs with experience in home care settings, which provides support for caregivers looking to advance.
Can you tell me about technology and innovation in caregiver training? Have you incorporated virtual reality or other immersive technologies into training?
We don’t have virtual reality incorporated yet at Senior Home Companions; however, I personally have experienced virtual reality training that put me in scenarios as someone with Alzheimer's. It was frustrating trying simple tasks like cutting a potato when it felt second nature otherwise. This type of training is incredibly helpful and could benefit future caregiver training.
What kind of mental health resources or support systems are in place to help caregivers cope with emotional challenges?
It's important for caregivers to feel supported since caregiving can be a lonely job. At Senior Home Companions, we have an encouragement team that caregivers can reach out to. We recently hired a caregiver relations director whose main role is building relationships with caregivers so they feel supported during their time working with us.
How do you train caregivers to manage stress and avoid burnout?
We emphasize the importance of self-care during orientation because if caregivers don’t take care of themselves, it will be hard for them to take care of their clients effectively.