Whether you are interested in learning how to provide the best care for your loved one or building a rewarding career, caregiver training can help you on that path.
Caregiver training ensures that caregivers have the knowledge and skills necessary to provide high-quality care to those in need, including being trained in safety protocols to prevent accidents and injuries, both for themselves and the individuals they are caring for. Training also empowers caregivers by giving them the confidence and competence to handle various situations that may arise while providing care.
This is your opportunity to build a career that will be in high demand for many years to come. Home-based health careers are growing fast. Research shows that clients prefer in-home care, and good care directly impacts better health outcomes.
Caring4Cal has courses to help you attain the certifications you need, and personal coaches available to guide you to meet your career goals. Caring4Cal is a program for current and prospective licensed or certified providers in Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) or those working as a home Community Health Worker (CHW). Eligible participants must currently live in California. The FREE training platform offers courses are online or in person, at a scheduled time or at your own pace. Caring4Cal is entirely FREE, with financial incentives up to $2,750!
Santa Barbara City College (SBCC)’s Career Skills Institute offers a two-course Personal Care Attendant Program which prepares students to seek entry level Personal Care Attendant employment. Its two-course Restorative Nurse Assistant Training Program prepares students to work as restorative assistants focusing on therapeutic modalities, exercise and rehabilitation management.
Allan Hancock College offers a two nursing certificates: Certified Home Health Aide program and Certified Nursing Assistant. These programs prepare students to enter the field of health care in geriatrics or acute care nursing.
Many caregivers work with individuals who have specific health conditions or disabilities. Additional training, specific to a health condition, provides the knowledge and understanding they need to properly support and assist those with diverse needs. For these caregivers, we recommend reaching out to medical associations or foundations for specific trainings.
For instance, the Parkinson’s Foundation of Santa Barbara holds and annual symposium, “Living Well with Parkinson’s Disease.”
Empowering Caregivers is a free, self-paced animated video series for in-home, community-based, and family caregivers of older adults and people with dementia and other disabilities. This program is funded by CalGrows.
The Lompoc Valley Medical Center frequently hosts health lectures that deal with specific medical concerns. Visit their website to learn more.
Professional caregiver organizations, like Senior Helpers and NurseCore, are actively recruiting and in many instances will provide in-house training to new recruits as well as on-going training support.
Overall, caregiver training is essential for ensuring that individuals receive the best possible care and support, while also empowering caregivers to perform their roles effectively and confidently. Be the best caregiver you can be!
