I understand you may need some sort of education to do that but that's mostly the answer in looking for. Is it possible for me, as a 21 y/o, to become a primary caregiver to my grandmother while she is in the nursing home? What sort of education would I need to do that, if possible?
The circumstances are unfortunately typical. The nursing home is not treating her as if she's a human being. From what she tells me, they are mean and nasty towards her and just very unprofessional, that being an understatement. With that being said, my grandmother is a very straight forward and sometimes hard to deal with woman. So I can understand how some people can have animosity towards her without knowing what I, or her daughters, may know about her. Regardless of all of that though, no human should be treated as though they are less than, especially when they can't bathe, dress, feed, or even walk by themselves. I know this is digging into deeper issues, but I felt I should give some background as to why I'd like to become a caregiver of hers. She's on her last legs and I don't want her to be treated badly right up to the end. And I'd like to be there for her enough for her to be happy before she passes.
I also understand that coronavirus has a big play in this. So if anyone has any information about how to possibly be able to see her on a regular basis, like the people who work there, it would be very much appreciated.
Again, not saying this is necessarily what is happening with your grandmother, just something to be mindful of.
As far as you becoming her caregiver...there is little chance of that even trained, unless she is in your care outside of the facility. Unless as MJ suggested, they allow family members to become private caregivers...but I'm curious what that would look like. You can't be there 24/7.
I'm sure that in this time of Covid and limited visiting, you wouldn't be able to just proclaim yourself your grandma's "caregiver" and get unlimited access to her. You might indeed need to have training (because caregiving IS very hard), then the NH may still not let you be her private caregiver.
I'd start first by asking the nursing home if they allow private caregivers, then go from there.
I think it would be a good idea to talk to one of her CNAs, one that sees her all week. Do it like u are considering getting training. Ask her what a typical day is? You will be surprised what they go thru. CNAs do all the dirty work. You will be surprised how many residents they need to get up and ready before breakfast. And then you have a difficult resident? And they do this for maybe $10 to start. Its a thankless job.