I want to be a caregiver. What do I need to do?

Send: Oh, no, so sorry to hear about Ladee. This proves just how hard caregiving is!

If your passion is for caregiving, then enroll into a registered nursing program - more money, more flexibility, more career options. There are so many caregiving agencies that don't require certification; caregivers are glorified babysitters to the elderly, sorry to sound harsh, but it's not a job that requires a bachelor's degree. Just Google "caregiving agency" in your home area. Call them up and tell them you're looking for work and your schedule - You'll get hired very, very soon. Local community colleges have certified nursing assistant programs; you could work as a caregiver during the day and go to school at night. After you get your CNA certificate, look for work in local hospitals so you can get retirement benefits and health insurance coverage; all caregiving agencies I've come across - DON'T provide benefits and pay you crap. If you want to work in crap everyday, you'll might as well try to get into a bigger organization, like a hospital, so you can get benefits.

Re-read the post on September 12th, by Ladee1. She has recently had a mild heart attack, which will assist her in meeting her goal of trying to get out of caregiving. That will be a huge deficit for her patients she has cared for.
(Sorry to offer your advice up as an example, Ladee, but the good-hearted suffer more with caregiving stress, and you are good-hearted). The original poster needs all the facts.

Then, if you have choices, and really thought about it, consider your physical health and stamina in the years to come. This is about15 years later for you since you had that career. You may have much more to offer in wisdom and experience now, but can your body keep up?
There are great rewards to caregiving when and if you are allowed to assist in making positive changes in another person's life. Those rewards are not financial, and not always acknowledged. Your ideals are to be commended, I sincerely hope that you can make it work.

See a psychiatrist and find out why you want such a thankless job.

I would definitely think of another profession. Maybe you have worked in day care? You will have to change diapers. Caregiving is not for the faint of heart!

think of another profession. Being a caregiver is a thankless, depressing job that will take your health if you let it.

Sendme you are too funny!

Take it slowly. Find senior citizens centers/residences close to your home and volunteer 2x a week. Or work part-time if you can afford it. I assume turnover rates in this field is high, so trust me: you won't be unemployed for long. Keep us posted.

Send::You had me cracking about the comedy lessons, but so true!

Send, LOL! Those helmets have been adapted from spelunking and are very useful especially when the electricity goes out!

A caregiver was once working for an agency and said the couple bought out her contract with the agency so that she could work for them privately. An agency may be a good start, as mentioned above. They will get you certified, bonded, and a background check.

That's why I said "God bless you!" This is an EXTREMELY DIFFICULT PROFESSION!

Sometimes, it's best just to do nothing.
Maybe this will pass.

STRUGGLING FOR CV IDEAS, by Falcon. See search bar above.

Be sure to take a few classes in comedy so you can survive caregiving.

Maybe you could specialize in the electronic inventions side of things by adapting
a modified taser for use in especially dangerous caregiving situations, but I hear they have special helmets for that now.

Get nerves of steel, become very forgiving, and perhaps try another profession. There is a lot of burnout.

No, really, you can get hired faster as an intern just out of an accreditation class, or course, so take a few refresher courses, network, then get sent out with recommendations.
Or, visit our friend on the thread: CV help. (Looking up the actual name, be back soon)

Run, as fast as you can. Pick a different career.
Or, (so sorry, lol, just to be funny, no offense intended), start wiping and just learn from there?

IS A

God bless you! This isva tough job!

Decide if you want to do general caregiving or a specialty. Research the area you are wanting to work in, see what the going rate is for private care, and see what the agencies are paying and what you need to work for them... I am sure they will give you information if you call them. But call more than one.
Keeping in mind you will have a learning curve, regardless of how long you have been out of caregiving. Decide if you want to work for one person, a couple, or have more than one client a day. Be clear about what hours you can and will work, and if you do choose to go with a family, you get to interview them too. Good luck. I am trying my best to get OUT of caregiving. But have been doing it for over 20 yrs and way past burnout. Keep us updated.

In NJ the nursing facilities will certify you if u work for them. Our local Vocational School has a certification course. May want to check Community Colleges. Try hospitals in you area. See if the RedCross knows where u can be certified.

Your best bet is to contact some of the caregiving agencies and see what are their requirements. Then take the necessary steps to be re-certified, or have to start from scratch. It depends on State laws what is required.