The home care industry has recently reached a deficit, and the onset of COVID-19 is making matters worse. With low wages and a severe staffing shortage, Veterans and senior citizens are left to fend for themselves as they sit on the waiting list for months to finally receive the assistance they need. If you’d like to help, here’s how to get started.
Who Is Eligible To Become a Home Care Provider?
What is a home care provider? Not to be confused with a home health care provider who’s authorized to perform nursing care, physical therapy, and other minor medical services, a home care provider is someone who completes non-medical tasks to help a Veteran, elderly, or disabled loved one in the comfort of the recipient’s home. When so much needs to be done but time and mobility are limited, it may become so overwhelming that personal care and important household duties are neglected.
The good news is there’s government assistance for family caregivers. In other words, you can get paid to look after your loved one. No matter if you’re their child, spouse, or friend, by completing the steps to become a certified home care provider, you can receive payment for taking care of your loved ones as you usually would.
What Does It Take To Become a Home Care Provider?
Just like many other certifications, the job requirements to become a home care provider vary from state to state. For example, if you live in Missouri, here’s how to become a caregiver for a Veteran or other eligible loved one:
Complete a Training Program
Before you can administer services to anyone, you must become certified through a legitimate training program, which includes CPR training. You can earn your certification from a home care agency or complete formal training at a vocational school or community college. Either way, you must be thoroughly knowledgeable in the field.
Gain Experience
Before deciding on a caregiving career, make sure it’s what you truly want to do. Start by working as a voluntary companion for your local home care agency. By doing so, you can prepare yourself for what to expect when you’re hired or you build a clientele of your own. This also looks great on your resume.
Apply at a Professional Home Care Agency
Independent caregiving services are great, but you may want to work your way up to that level. Being an independent agent comes with 100% responsibility. If you’re sure that’s what you’d like to work toward, that’s excellent, but it’s best to pace yourself and take it one step at a time.
Start by researching high-ranking home care agencies in your area and schedule a few interviews. You can weigh your options, and once you’re hired at the right establishment, you can start building up your experience and professionalism.
What Services Do Home Care Providers Provide?
Home care providers are often referred to as homemakers. However, they do much more than that. They keep houses neat and orderly, but they also help with personal and extracurricular care.
Activities of daily living (ADLs) are things that many of us can do on our own. We often take the freedom to do these things for granted. ADLs may be much harder for Veterans or those who are disabled, so having someone around to lighten the load helps tremendously. Home care providers assist with:
Light Housekeeping
With trash overflowing, mail piling up, and dust accumulating in the corners, a disabled Veteran or elderly loved one can easily become overwhelmed. Home care providers do chores around the house, such as cleaning the bathroom, vacuuming, and washing dishes, to ensure the house stays fresh and orderly.
Grooming
When you look good, you feel good. Most people try their best to take proper care of their personal hygiene and appearance. Unfortunately, for disabled Veterans or elderly loved ones, things like combing their hair, brushing their teeth, and putting on clean, ironed clothes can be too much to handle by themselves. You’re there every day to assist them with these tasks, making their daily routines much smoother.
Transportation
It’s not safe or wise to allow loved ones with declining cognitive abilities or slower reflexes to drive and run errands on their own. As their home care provider, you’re responsible for making sure they have what they need from the grocery store or the pharmacy. As their companion, you can also take them out for some fresh air. A trip to the park or a walk around the neighborhood together can be great for both you and your client.
Meal Prep and Feeding
Cooking and making sure your Veteran or elderly loved one gets at least three well-balanced meals a day is another critical role of a home care provider. Otherwise, they’re at risk of malnutrition or dehydration, which could exacerbate a pre-existing condition. They need a caregiver like you, setting a schedule for them to eat healthy, enjoyable meals and get the proper water intake each day.
Why Choose AVCC Over Other Home Care Agencies?
Caring for others requires compassion and professionalism. American Veteran Care Connection is waiting for you if you embody these essential qualities. We take pride in offering services exclusively for American Veterans to show our appreciation for their service and bravery. AVCC is looking for kind, patient, attentive adults to enhance the quality of life of our deserving Veterans.
We do everything we can to expedite the process, whether you’re looking to become a provider or seeking help with filing claims for someone who needs care. Plus, we do all we can to increase your wages, ensuring you earn the maximum amount for your labor of love. Reach out to us today to learn more and get started right away.
