With an increasingly aged population, the number of people working in social care for the elderly is constantly growing. Many of these positions are offered by agencies, but roles working directly for care homes are also available. Agencies are usually well-organised and should provide the caregiver with a daily plan of care for each client.
No qualifications are required for those tending to the elderly in their own homes. However, they should be amenable and have excellent communication skills. They should be able to carry out light housekeeping chores around the house, as well as assist with any personal care needed by the client.
In the care home environment, caregivers may need to be Certified Nursing Aides (CNA’s) in order to apply for the position. In this programme, students can learn the basics of nursing in less than 100 hours. Seventy-five hours are spent in the classroom, while a further 16 hours are spent in clinical training.
Countrywide, Certified Nursing Aides earn around C
$27,600 on average. However, salaries do tend to be higher in London and Vancouver. Average salaries in the latter for those working in elderly care are known to be a little under C
$40,000.