Family caregivers are training to become HHAs and CNAs: Enhancing their Education for Certification
Author: Maureen Bonatch MSN, RN
The youngest of the baby boomer generation will reach age 60 this year. As our aging population continues to rise, so does the number of family caregivers. According to “Caregiving in the U.S. 2020,” the National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC) and AARP survey, 53 million Americans are providing unpaid care, an increase of 9.5 million from 2015 to 2020.
Family caregivers, whether providing care informally (unpaid) or formally (paid), offer an invaluable service. These caregivers may perform various tasks for spouses, partners, family members, or friends. Some caregivers may have discovered a passion for caregiving, prompting them to pursue certification to increase job opportunities in the healthcare field.
From family caregiver to certification
Students in your HHA or CNA training programs who have already been family caregivers have an advantage. They enter your program with a wealth of experience because they have been performing skills that the other students are just learning about. In addition, family caregivers have had the advantage of becoming comfortable with interpersonal communication and the intimacy required to be a caregiver.
However, sometimes, the way family caregivers perform a skill may not be the best way, or they may not follow the steps needed to pass the state clinical skills exam for certification.
Family caregivers are caring and compassionate. They are perfect candidates to consider a certified healthcare professional career. They come with a wealth of experience but must be ready to embrace new methods of performing skills to pass the state exam.
Fear of the unknown
It may be uncomfortable for the family caregiver to change how they provide care. Take time to discuss the rewards of learning new ways to perform skills as they work toward becoming certified HHAs or CNAs.
These rewards could include the following:
Pass the state certification test
Provide better quality care
Increase job opportunities
Keep clients safe
Decrease transmission of infection
Self-actualization
Provide an income
Increase client satisfaction
Accepting change
Students who have been family caregivers may register for an HHA or CNA training course confident in their ability to perform a skill a certain way. Some might even resist changing with rationale such as:
But that’s how I’ve always done it.
Educate your students on why changing how they perform the skill is necessary. The most obvious reason might be that they won’t pass the state certification test if they don’t follow the correct steps.
Still, other factors, such as why doing the skill differently might benefit the client, may help your student grow rather than resist this change.
My way is quicker.
Explain that doing the skill quicker might also mean risking an injury for the student or the client if they’re not using proper body mechanics. Also, quickly performing a skill doesn’t always allow time to make valuable observations. An example is the importance of observing the skin condition and being proactive with body positions that will help the skin stay healthy.
Virtual simulations provide a safe and controlled environment for learning to boost students' confidence and competence.
My client likes it when I do the skill this way.
What might work for one client may only work for some. Family caregivers may have only cared for a single client.
Virtual simulation can allow students to work with clients with diverse diagnoses and personalities.
If it’s not broken, don’t fix it.
Utilize scenarios to demonstrate the best ways to provide safe client care. CNA Simulations uses a fictional nurse instructor who can provide immediate feedback on students' choices during the simulation.
“I think the simulation really helped her by explaining what she did wrong at the exact time she got it wrong and made it stick.” ~ Anonymous CNA Instructor
Embrace their expertise
Family caregivers bring vast knowledge and unique experiences to your course. Their insights can enrich everyone’s learning experience. Pursuing certification means they can provide better care for their loved ones and share their knowledge with a broader group of people.
Encourage these students by acknowledging the skills that they bring to the table. Family caregivers have practiced some skills and often have great tips and tricks. If they need to change their care method, allow them to communicate their ideas before giving the rationale.
Learning new skills
Family caregivers may have experience with many skills, but probably not all the HHA and CNA skills—especially those necessary when working with multiple patients or in a facility.
These skills may include:
Beginning & Ending Steps
Resident Rights & Safety
Infection control
Documentation
Receiving delegated tasks from a licensed nurse
Working within a team
Facility safe practices
Some skills may be performed differently in a clinical environment than at home. Knowing what to expect before performing clinical skills on an actual client can be comforting.
A few of these new skills could include:
Catheter Care
Transfer from bed to wheelchair
Applying TED Hose
Practicing these skills using CNA Virtual Simulation programs gives an accurate and realistic encounter with each skill.
Caring for the caregiver
Being a family caregiver can be a rewarding experience. Unfortunately, it often comes at the expense of neglecting one's health. Many family caregivers report declining health while caring for someone else. Remind them that they must first care for themselves to provide their loved ones with the best care.
Encourage your students to take advantage of the stress management courses offered through Caring4Cal. A few of these courses include:
Gratitude and Shifting your Mindset to reduce caregiver stress.
Caring for the Caregiver to explore how your thoughts can affect your emotions.
Caregiver Relaxation Guide to learn more about managing your stress.
Caring4Cal is a program by the California Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) to offer licensed or certified in-home or community care providers — and those interested in becoming an in-home care provider.
Reach new goals together
Caring4Cal is an initiative to increase the workforce of healthcare professionals working in home and community-based services in California. Their goal is your goal: to train confident, competent CNAs and HHAs and prepare them to enter the workforce. They offer a variety of resources, from free healthcare training to information about the unpredictability of dementia care, to ensure that all your students have the support they need on their caregiving journey.