You enjoy working with older people and have plenty of experience providing companionship and assistance. Whether you work in a family home, in a skilled nursing facility or for a live-in care agency, you are committed to the care of older people. So where do you take your career in elderly care from here?
Completing training and getting certifications are pivotal steps towards enhancing the level of care you’re able to provide. Additional training and certifications can also open doors to more niche positions, such as working in palliative care or with an older person who has dementia. If you’re serious about a part-time or full-time career as an elderly care provider, ramping up your training will help set you apart from other care providers.
Before searching for training, check with national care organisations such as The National Care Association or Care England as well as local or national agencies to see what the minimum requirements are for working as an elderly care provider in your area. The TUC also provides up-to-date information about elderly care qualification and skills requirements.
Ready to start looking for additional training and certification? Here are a few caregiver courses to consider when working with the elderly. Cost ranges are based on the specific programmes listed in each section and are likely to vary for other courses.
1. Basic caregiver certification
There are a lot of resources out there for basic caregiver certification. In these certification programmes, you may learn how to assist in activities of daily living (ADLs), how to handle emergencies and how to navigate caregiver-family relationships.
Where to get certified:
There are numerous ways to get basic caregiver certification. There are free online courses, such as the Care For The Elderly Course offered at The Open University, as well as in-person elderly care courses at colleges and higher education institutions, like the Diploma in Health and Social Care at Banbury and Bicester College.
Check out online providers like The Open University and Udemy, as well as local higher education colleges and universities, to see what kind of programmes are on offer near you.
Cost:
£0-£60, depending on the programme you choose.
2. Nursing/Healthcare Assistant training
As a Nursing Assistant or Healthcare Assistant, you’ll learn valuable knowledge and skills that can benefit your work as an elderly care provider. If you’re looking to expand your job search, Nurse/Healthcare Assistant training can prepare you for roles in various health care settings, such as nursing facilities, hospice care, rehabilitation hospitals, etc.
Where to get certified:
Nursing/Healthcare Assistant training and diplomas are available via higher education colleges as well as online providers. The New Skills Academy offers a Nursing Assistant Diploma Course, which covers handling emergency situations, how to record vital signs, and communication and relationship-building skills. The University of West London offers a Health Assistant Practitioner course, which covers topics including professional values, compassionate and safe care, and communication and interpersonal skills. Reed also provides information about numerous UK-based Nursing Assistant and Healthcare Assistant training programmes and providers.
Cost:
£0-£1,000, depending on location, institution and curriculum.
3. Care Certificate
For building a career in the caring profession, the Care Certificate is a useful qualification to have under your belt. This certification proves that a carer has the knowledge and set of behaviours required to provide compassionate, safe and high-quality care and support.
Because home health care aides are not required to have a university degree or college diploma, a Care Certificate can add credibility to your CV, as well as provide critical training.
Where to get certified:
To access the Care Certificate programme, simply register here, read the programme information and enrol on the course.
Cost:
£20-£25
4. First aid and emergency care
Many care providers are likely CPR-certified, but you can add to your toolkit with additional emergency training such as first aid. This can prepare you for simple cuts, burns and bruises, as well as teach you how to manage larger medical emergencies until the emergency services arrive.
Where to get certified:
The Red Cross is one of the best places to go for a wide range of emergency and medical training such as First Aid for Adults.
Other organisations that offer this type of semi-medical training include St John Ambulance and the British Heart Foundation. You may also find some basic emergency training on offer at your local emergency services or fire station; some hold free events for the public. If you work for an agency, this sort of training should be routinely provided.
Cost:
£0-£300, depending on course type.
5. Hospice, palliative and end-of-life care
Part of caring for the elderly may include watching them fall ill or reach the end of their life, and there are a number of certifications and trainings that can help you navigate this emotional time.
Where to get certified:
The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities provides a list of links to training and education resources which are designed to teach the skills needed to improve the quality of palliative and end-of-life care services. Recommended courses include the Dementia awareness e-learning course from the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) and End of life care for all – e-Learning to enhance education and training for end-of-life care from Health Education England.
It’s also worth checking with inpatient hospice units for end-of-life care training opportunities. Hospice care providers in this setting are well-placed to answer your questions and provide resources for what can be the hardest times in an elderly care provider’s work.
Cost:
Many of these courses are free. All courses with Grey Matter Learning are £2 for one year’s access.
6. Memory care training
Memory care training provides skills for caregivers who are working with patients suffering from dementia, which is an umbrella term that refers to a decline in memory, language and other faculties that interferes with a person’s capacity to live their life normally.
Where to get certified:
There are a number of free dementia care training courses available from online learning providers including Learning Curve Group and The Skills Network. These providers offer students tutor support, flexible learning schedules and the chance to receive a recognised qualification upon course completion.
Additionally, the Alzheimer’s Society provides expert dementia training that is available online. You can find a list of its courses here.
Cost:
Prices vary, but many of the online training sessions for dementia care and memory care are free of charge. For courses run by the Alzheimer’s Society, you will need to send price enquiries for specific courses via their website.
7. Companion care training
Companion care can be thought of as ‘hands-off care’ for elderly people who don’t require medical attention for mobility issues or chronic illness. This type of care aims to combat social isolation and loneliness, which can affect an older adult’s health and quality of life.
Where to get certified:
You don’t need to be medically trained or have care qualifications to become a companion carer. However, a kind, empathetic and friendly manner are must-haves for anyone entering the field.
Despite the lack of official certification in the field of companion caregiving, many care agencies will offer training to those looking to get into this line of work. Skills in meal preparation or possession of a driver’s licence will also be looked upon favourably, but are unlikely to be essential to landing a role. Any other experience related to caregiving, like nursing or childcare experience, is generally also welcomed by agencies.
8. Training for specific conditions and needs
Do you have patients who have specific medical conditions or needs beyond activities of daily living? Taking continuing education classes in these areas can help you better provide for patients, as well as appeal to families struggling with the same needs.
Where to get certified:
National bodies and charities for specific disabilities or illnesses are good places to start when seeking more information, additional training and certification, or relevant resources about certain conditions.
Parkinson’s UK provides training courses for carers and health workers seeking to deepen their knowledge of caring for patients with Parkinson’s disease.
Alzheimer’s Society offers resources and training on caring for Alzheimer’s and dementia sufferers.
MacMillan Cancer Support offers training courses and workshops for those caring for individuals affected by cancer.
Cost:
Parkinson’s UK does not provide training costs on its website; however, it does offer numerous bursaries to help healthcare professionals cover their fees. For prices of courses run by the Alzheimer’s Society, you will need to send an enquiry about a specific course via their website. MacMillan training courses are free of charge.
Education doesn’t have to be expensive — but make sure it’s legitimate
Your continuing education in elderly care doesn’t have to be formal or expensive. Your training can range from reading library books (check out ones on ageing, health issues and providing care) to online classes, which are often more affordable and flexible than in-person classes.
You can also join a caregiver body or support group to find inexpensive learning opportunities. The National Union of Carers provides resources for online and in-person support groups where you can learn from the experience of your peers. CarersUK provides a support network, care sector news, updates on regulations and a community for care providers.
But before you choose any course or programme, make sure it’s accredited and legitimate. Ensure the certification is widely recognised by agencies and families. If you’re unsure about a certificate or programme, you can always call a local elderly care agency and ask if they know of it. You can also search for testimonials and reviews from previous students to see if they’ve had a positive experience with the programme or school.