Caregivers and credentials
CPR and first aid certification
CPR and first aid certification shows that a person completed a course on emergencies such as cardiac arrest, choking, and bleeding. CPR means cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Courses teach hands-on skills. American Red Cross certificates are generally valid for two years, then the holder must renew.
Why it matters for your family
A caregiver is often the only other adult in the home when something goes wrong. Current certification means the caregiver has practiced what to do in the first minutes before help arrives. Families can ask to see a certificate and check its date. Look at the course format too. The Red Cross notes that fully online courses lack an in-person skills check, and some employers do not accept them. A certificate does not turn a caregiver into a nurse. In a real emergency, the caregiver should call 911 first and follow the dispatcher's directions.
Source: redcross.org
Read more: HomeCare.com’s Credentialing Process
Related terms
- Caregiver trainingCaregiver training is instruction that teaches paid or family caregivers how to give safe, respectful care.
- Medical alert systemA medical alert system is a device, often a wearable button, that lets a person call for help in an emergency.
- Fall preventionFall prevention is the set of steps that lower the chance an older adult will fall.
- Home safety assessmentA home safety assessment is a room-by-room check of a home for hazards that could cause falls or injuries.
- Background checkA background check is a review of a person's records before hiring.
- Direct care workerA direct care worker is a paid worker who gives hands-on help to people who need support with daily living.
