Feeling better after my day off, ready to suggest a sensible answer now.
Assuming that by "medical" knowledge you mean something beyond what you'd expect of the man or woman in the street, the answer is No. You don't.
Any particular expertise you require in, for example, First Aid, medications administration and recording, skin integrity, catheter care, etc. etc. etc. will be covered in your basic training.
Much more important are the ability to notice when something is "off", the ability to cope under stress and follow instructions, and more than anything an aptitude for caring about people's wellbeing. That can't be taught, but it's what makes you wait an extra ten minutes and call for advice instead of leaving when your client says he's okay but you just don't quite like the look of him.
I believe you should be knowledgeable about the medical conditions of the person you are caring for at the very least. You don't need to have a doctor's knowledge obviously. It's not hard to do research about their conditions and medications they are taking, what to do in cases of emergency etc.
What you don't know in the beginning you'll certainly learn as you go. But definitely familiarize yourself as much as you can before even considering going down that road.
There different levels of medical knowledge. Caregiver should know as much as possible about the conditions the are caring for. They don't need to know everything about conditions they don't deal with. It helps to be familiar with frequent medications used in certain conditions being cared for.
You are correct in that a little medical knowledge can be a disadvantage. However, there are classes such as CNA-certified nursing assistant and/or on the job training under supervision.
It may be important to know enough to know what not to do, such as the fact that administering a medication requires a certain licensed training, even if the client/patient asks/demands that you do.
LidyaB, Yes, one does need medical knowledge to care properly for someone needing a caregiver. Which brings us to the couple living together, then one needing care. An awareness of medical conditions, some medical knowledge may result in getting the care they need earlier, at the very least.
I remember applying for a job as a diner waitress in New York when I was a young girl. I had no experience but lied & said I did, so I got the job. Boy was I out of my realm when I found out the diners used an abbreviation code for ordering that I had no clue about! I'd made a big mistake saying I had experience when I had none.
You're asking if you need medical knowledge to be a caregiver. How would you NOT need medical knowledge to be a caregiver? Or at least knowledge of how to provide the care you'd be expected to give the person you were hired to care for? Would you expect to go into someone's home and change soiled briefs, bathe them, toilet them, feed them, and do all the other hundreds of tasks without knowing how to DO any of it? And without knowing how to recognize a medical crisis if one were to arise? Without knowing what signs to look for, or how to take a blood pressure?
I will firmly say that YES, you need some level of medical knowledge to be a caregiver, otherwise you are doing the patient a grave disservice. All jobs you apply for, except entry level positions, require SOME level of past experience, for a good reason. I'd hate to think I was hiring a caregiver to care for my loved one who had absolutely no medical knowledge at all, and/or no knowledge of HOW to care for another person. Plus, I would think you'd be scared to death to take such a job!
That said, if you are hired to sit with an elder to provide companionship, you should be fine. If you are hired to do light housekeeping and run errands, you should be fine. But if you are hired as a 'caregiver', then you should have some medical knowledge under your belt before you're hired. That's my opinion on the matter.
CWillie and Ariadnee both raise important issues. I found it absolutely necessary for any medical aspect of my father's care, and I was so glad I did b/c some doctors weren't particularly interested in high levels of care; I think Dad was just another numbered patient to them.
After awhile I found that the doctors communicated on a more professional level with me instead of the "pat, pat" reassurance. There was one, however, who broke the mold for rudeness. He was a doctor who treated me when I had a stroke.
He came in with an old style bag, pants that were far too tight, and an arrogant attitude. He even told me to be quiet, not ask questions, and let him speak b/c he was very, very, very busy and needed to address his position before answering my questions, which after hearing this obnoxious statement, dropped to zero. I asked questions of the nurses and other doctors.
Lidy, it would help if you expanded on your question and indicated whether you're considering caring for a relative, friend, someone close, and being involved in any aspect of medical care, including things such as transferring from bed to chair, from walker to car, etc.
I once had an experience with a young woman who wanted to provide care for my father, but when I met her, I couldn't reach a level of comfortable reliance on her maturity or ability to even prepare meals. She was totally dependent on her mother, who from what I saw, accompanied her extensively. She also came to the hospital for visit, wearing, short, short shorts, which I thought was inappropriate attire.
Oh boy......I would strongly reccomend it. I agree with cwillie's post. But, if you are going to do this full time, best to educate yourself. 1. Respite care-can not stress this enough. Must be in place first and foremost, because, you may be too busy, tired, overwhelmed, fed-up, "I can fix this", part of caregiving and not have the time or energy to get respite care. 2. Power of Attorney-if applicable. 3. Educated yourself at reliable, vetted, well known web sites. Alzheimer's web site is great. Mayo Clinic too. Johns Hopkins gets technical. 4. Wicking Dementia Center's online, free dementia courses have helped me a lot. Found out about them here. 5. Keep reading/posting here. Dementia caregiving is unforgiving, tough and not for everyone. No shame in tapping outta the game. We understand and will support you. 6. Do not think family or friends will help. 7. Take care of yourself, or you won't be a good caregiver. 8. Ok to get angry. We all do.
It depends on what kind of caregiver you want to be and how able you are to stick to firm boundaries. If you don't want to do more than visit with someone who needs supervision, a little meal prep, some light housekeeping you don't need any training for that, although educating yourself about dementia and being prepared to step up in an emergency would be helpful.
Assuming that by "medical" knowledge you mean something beyond what you'd expect of the man or woman in the street, the answer is No. You don't.
Any particular expertise you require in, for example, First Aid, medications administration and recording, skin integrity, catheter care, etc. etc. etc. will be covered in your basic training.
Much more important are the ability to notice when something is "off", the ability to cope under stress and follow instructions, and more than anything an aptitude for caring about people's wellbeing. That can't be taught, but it's what makes you wait an extra ten minutes and call for advice instead of leaving when your client says he's okay but you just don't quite like the look of him.
What you don't know in the beginning you'll certainly learn as you go. But definitely familiarize yourself as much as you can before even considering going down that road.
Do you know what a DNR is?
How would you respond?
Sorry, it's been a difficult shift.
However, there are classes such as CNA-certified nursing assistant and/or on the job training under supervision.
It may be important to know enough to know what not to do, such as the fact that administering a medication requires a certain licensed training, even if the client/patient asks/demands that you do.
Yes, one does need medical knowledge to care properly for someone needing a caregiver.
Which brings us to the couple living together, then one needing care. An awareness of medical conditions, some medical knowledge may result in getting the care they need earlier, at the very least.
You're asking if you need medical knowledge to be a caregiver. How would you NOT need medical knowledge to be a caregiver? Or at least knowledge of how to provide the care you'd be expected to give the person you were hired to care for? Would you expect to go into someone's home and change soiled briefs, bathe them, toilet them, feed them, and do all the other hundreds of tasks without knowing how to DO any of it? And without knowing how to recognize a medical crisis if one were to arise? Without knowing what signs to look for, or how to take a blood pressure?
I will firmly say that YES, you need some level of medical knowledge to be a caregiver, otherwise you are doing the patient a grave disservice. All jobs you apply for, except entry level positions, require SOME level of past experience, for a good reason. I'd hate to think I was hiring a caregiver to care for my loved one who had absolutely no medical knowledge at all, and/or no knowledge of HOW to care for another person. Plus, I would think you'd be scared to death to take such a job!
That said, if you are hired to sit with an elder to provide companionship, you should be fine. If you are hired to do light housekeeping and run errands, you should be fine. But if you are hired as a 'caregiver', then you should have some medical knowledge under your belt before you're hired. That's my opinion on the matter.
After awhile I found that the doctors communicated on a more professional level with me instead of the "pat, pat" reassurance. There was one, however, who broke the mold for rudeness. He was a doctor who treated me when I had a stroke.
He came in with an old style bag, pants that were far too tight, and an arrogant attitude. He even told me to be quiet, not ask questions, and let him speak b/c he was very, very, very busy and needed to address his position before answering my questions, which after hearing this obnoxious statement, dropped to zero. I asked questions of the nurses and other doctors.
Lidy, it would help if you expanded on your question and indicated whether you're considering caring for a relative, friend, someone close, and being involved in any aspect of medical care, including things such as transferring from bed to chair, from walker to car, etc.
I once had an experience with a young woman who wanted to provide care for my father, but when I met her, I couldn't reach a level of comfortable reliance on her maturity or ability to even prepare meals. She was totally dependent on her mother, who from what I saw, accompanied her extensively. She also came to the hospital for visit, wearing, short, short shorts, which I thought was inappropriate attire.
1. Respite care-can not stress this enough. Must be in place first and foremost, because, you may be too busy, tired, overwhelmed, fed-up, "I can fix this", part of caregiving and not have the time or energy to get respite care.
2. Power of Attorney-if applicable.
3. Educated yourself at reliable, vetted, well known web sites. Alzheimer's web site is great. Mayo Clinic too. Johns Hopkins gets technical.
4. Wicking Dementia Center's online, free dementia courses have helped me a lot. Found out about them here.
5. Keep reading/posting here. Dementia caregiving is unforgiving, tough and not for everyone. No shame in tapping outta the game. We understand and will support you.
6. Do not think family or friends will help.
7. Take care of yourself, or you won't be a good caregiver.
8. Ok to get angry. We all do.