Caregiver training top priority of agency

The senior care industry has grown dramatically in recent years along with the number of seniors needing care. Some seniors move into assisted living facilities or skilled nursing facilities as chronic conditions begin to affect their daily lives.

Many more, however, are choosing to remain in their own homes with the help of companion caregivers.

But the quality of caregivers can vary greatly. The job is only supervised periodically, if at all. Home care comes with a set of uncertainties all its own, said Timothy Karnes, owner of Good Samaritan CareGivers Inc., located in Williamsville.

Independent caregivers, also called personal care attendants, homemakers, caregivers and companions, typically perform housekeeping, laundry, meal preparation and errand services.

Some provide personal care assistance. A growing number of them are the sole custodians of seniors suffering from Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia.

"Training, or lack of it, is a huge issue in this emerging field. At Good Samaritan, we have always insisted on a standardized training program for all our caregivers. But we are an exception," Karnes said. "Many companion care companies, some of them franchises, offer very limited caregiver training. And some provide no skills training at all to their employees."

Some care agencies depend on the personal experience each caregiver brings with them. Without a training program, there is no predictable skill standard, he added.

The Senior's Choice Inc., an international leader in the companion care industry, and Good Samaritan CareGivers provide a new level of senior companion caregiver, the certified companion aide.

Steve Everhart, president and founder of The Senior's Choice, said, "The mission is simple; We want to ensure the best home care possible for seniors. They have earned and they deserve it."

Good Samaritan co-owner Michelle Karnes focuses on training. She has more than 30 years' experience as a registered nurse and holds a diploma and bachelor's degree in nursing. She has also taught nursing courses at the college level and served as a preceptor to newly graduated nursing students.

"The CCA will stand head and shoulders above standard agency caregivers in both education and skill. And the type of person drawn to the CCA is big-hearted and committed to exemplary senior service," she said.

In the new program, Michelle will provide a curriculum where the Good Samaritan caregivers will study 19 core subjects relating to senior care and pass a battery of tests to acquire the certification. The process prepares caregivers to consistently and professionally perform exceptional in-home care for seniors who choose to remain independent at home for as long as possible.

"It is only available to the 200 companion care companies that belong to The Senior's Choice. Good Samaritan will now provide them something unique that shows their level of dedication," Michelle said.

Timothy added, "Because of our prior experience in health care, we understand and value the need for highly trained caregivers."

For information about certified companion aides, Good Samaritan CareGivers can be reached at 204-0710.