Caregiver Training is Available

In addition to creating and managing this website, Lahari provides training opportunities for Caregivers on Orcas. Lahari sponsors an online comprehensive Home Care Aide (HCA) course. Completion of this course is required if Washington State certification is desired. Lahari also provides access to a series of classes designed to meet the annual Continuing Education Units (CEU) requirements for Caregivers.

Visit HERE for information on the next class or to apply for an individual grant.

Want to know more about Caregiving Read below:

Orcas Needs More Caregivers!

Orcas is the beloved home of a diverse group of people with island culture interwoven into their very being. With over half of the island’s population over 55 years old, a lack of public transportation, and limited but incredible medical support, our community finds itself in need of caregivers who can support elders living at home for as long as possible. It is a thriving career field for Orcas, and there is no lack of work. Not only are there elders who need support, but people who have acute medical needs that a caregiver can tip the scales for them to stay on Orcas. Caregivers are a vital part of a healthy community.

What is helpful in a Caregiver? 

  • You are looking for a sustainable career that has a positive long-term impact on your community.
  • You enjoy working with people and enjoy jobs where you interact one-on-one with others.
  • You enjoyed taking care of elder family members and would like to help others in this way.
  • You like older adults and feel you can get along well with a variety of elders.
  • You like doing work that has the potential to make a difference in someone’s life.
  • You can help elder island residents stay on Orcas.

Types of Caregivers :

  • Respite caregivers: These professionals specialize in relieving the primary caregiver, who is often a family member, of their duties. The caregiver could provide care for an hour or two, or for several weeks either in the client’s home, at a specialized day center or in a healthcare center.

  • Private duty home caregivers: This type of caregiver is based in the client’s home. This caregiver gives help and support to help their clients with daily life tasks and to make living as easy as possible. They frequently relieve a family member of their responsibilities for a set amount of hours every day. They may report to a supervisor or they could work without supervision.

  • Senior caregivers: These caregivers may also be called elder care providers, and they specialize in the care of elderly patients who may also have dementia. The care could be in the client’s home, a sheltered housing facility or in a retirement home.

  • Specialized caregivers: These caregivers have experience working with clients who have specific needs, which could be because of cancer or other chronic conditions. It also includes those caregivers who have knowledge in conditions such as spinal injuries or other specific injuries.

    What duties can be involved:

  • Preparing a care plan

  • Being a companion

  • Assisting with personal hygiene

  • Assessing any health requirements

  • Light Housekeeping

  • Food preparation

  • Helping with transportation

 

How do I become a Caregiver?

To be certified in Washington State, you need to complete 75 hours of DSHS-approved training and have ongoing yearly training. If you are interested in become a certified caregiver and would like Lahari’s support, please visit http://www.laharionorcas.org/home/caregiver_training

 

If you would like to bridge the work you are doing now into being a caregiver you can look into being a Nursing Assistant. A nursing assistant, or a nurse’s aide, provides basic care to patients and helps them carry out certain daily tasks they cannot do on their own due to illness. They work in home care, correctional institutions, hospitals, nursing homes and other health care centers. They typically work under the supervision of a licensed nurse, and they are the patients’ major caregivers in nursing care facilities. You can find a registration packet HERE

 

If you decide that you are not going to go the certification route, and still provide services that support people aging in place, here are a few resources that can be helpful.

 

Here are some other resources for certified and non-certified caregivers

  • Free online classes from Stanford, University of Toronto John Hopkins and others regarding Caregiving (for issues such as Dementia and Intellectual disabilities) through Coursera
  • Washington DSHS Resource Page for a wide range of issues and information for different caregiving situations.
  • Became a Washington State Developmental Disabilities provider here
  • HIPPA compliance and understanding patients rights.
  • Get your Washington State business license here
  • SCORE is a site that connects you with mentors in caregiving and small business development.
  • Free Online accounting classes through Coursera
  • Free Online marketing classes through Coursera