Medford, Oregon, April 5, 2006
Baby boomers across the country are confronted with a critical question concerning their future: "When I need care, will someone be there to care for me?" By 2020 the demand for trained in-home caregivers will nearly double.
"That demand will never be met unless we include in-home care providers in our health care education model," says Marion Karpinski R.N., President of Medifecta Healthcare Training. Caregivers who have been providing home care to our elders and disabled with no training have been excluded from health care education curricula, where CNA, LPN and RN are the main levels trained. This approach may be preventing dislocated workers, public assistance recipients, people who speak English as a Second language and other much-needed workers from entering the home care field.
Inspired by the pressing national need for trained in-home care providers, Medifecta Healthcare Training developed a 40-hour training program that teaches essential caregiving skills, communication and professional skills. " Adults with limited English language proficiency or low levels of skills and education can successfully complete the program and make excellent home care providers. Training more people in our communities in this way can help meet the huge demand," added Karpinski.
The 40-hour Personal Care Attendant Training Program was written at a 5th grade literacy level and utilizes a variety of learning modalities such as lecture, demonstration, hands-on practice, discussion, video/DVD, textbook, workbook and skills competency. Susannah Flanigan, Director of Community Education Services at Athens Technical College, offers the program in her community. Flanigan believes the program complements (rather than competes with) the school's existing Certified Nurse Assistant program.
Pamela Life attended the Personal Care Attendant Training Program at Athens to learn how to provide competent care for her aging mother. The skills she gained gave her confidence to pursue a health care career. "I was able to help make my mother more comfortable. Now that she's passed on I'm thinking of working as a private duty caregiver or doing the CNA program at Athens," said Life.
The 40-hour program can be used effectively in workforce development, home health agencies, continuing education, high school and adult vocational training.
Medifecta Healthcare Training is nationally recognized as a leading provider of award-winning educational resources for professional and family care providers. Healing Arts Communications received the 2005 Honorable Distinction Award for Small Business from the American Society on Aging for its work in providing exemplary programs and services that meet the needs of the aging population.
For a detailed Q & A about the Personal Care Attendant program or to arrange an interview, contact Marion Karpinski, President, Medifecta Healthcare Training, 1911 United Way Medford, Oregon 97504 Ph: 888-846-7008
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