Caregiver Certification and Training Programs

Employment as a senior caregiver brings fulfillment beyond a paycheck.  Job duties include assisting with meals, laundry, medication management, daily exercises, bathroom visits, bathing and maintaining a clean household.  In addition, companionship is an important part of senior care as friends may have passed away and family members may live far away.

What are the employment opportunities for senior caregivers?

• Nursing Home Nursing Aide


• Hospital Nursing Aide


• Assisted Living Nursing Aide


• Senior Home Care Agency Caregiver or Nursing Aide

What certifications are required?

Nursing homes and most Assisted Living communities will require caregivers providing hands-on assistance to be certified as a nursing aide or home health aide and some senior home care agencies also require certification for some assignments.  However, the specific certification varies depending on the requirements of your state's department of health.

Training for most certification programs requires classroom work, along with field work where the caregiver will work in a hospital or nursing home with the supervision of the trained staff.  Most certification courses for nursing aides and home health aides require the following for admission:

• High School Diploma or Equivalent


• Criminal Background Check


• Turbeculosis Skin Test


• Reading Comprehension Exam


• English Competency


• Drug Test


• Minimum Age of 18

A state exam must be passed for final certification.  The cost of certification programs can be from $600 to $2,000 and often financial aid and grants are available, especially through community college programs.  Caregivers increase their job prospects by becoming certified and are able to show potential employers that they have an understanding of the basic skills needed to safely provide care for a senior. 

If you are thinking of obtaining certification, research programs early and talk to other certified caregivers to learn about the challenges they experienced.