Best Free Caregiver Trainings
Whether you have worked as a caregiver or are new to the field, taking advantage of free online trainings will expand your caregiving knowledge, provide a boost to your resume, and may help you land the caregiving job of your dreams.
"When I see evidence of formal training, I feel more confident that the caregiver takes ownership of how they show up for the person they support,” reflects Kansas parent Gina Ervay. “It gives me peace of mind knowing they’re not only committed to providing quality care, but also to learning, growing, and doing the work with intention and not just going through the motions."
So, while formal training and certifications are the “gold standard,” families also value job seekers motivated to expand their knowledge with free online coursework. The organizations which produce this free content have different reasons for providing open access. Some, like UCLA Health Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care Program, have an educational mission. Others may offer training as a way to recruit employees and many states provide their own online, self-paced training to address the shortage of caregivers. For example, Massachusetts initiated the Personal and Home Care Aide State Training (PHCAST) https://mahomecaretraining.org. The Kansas Department of Aging and Disability Services provides free training at www.ks-caregivers.com and The Confident Caregiver, commissioned by UConn, offers training for managing daily care at www.plans4care.com/the-confident-caregiver/. Kansas parent Gina Ervay found this free resource “has lots of little tools for caregivers that are about 5 minutes or less in length to learn about things like how to handle behaviors and self-care.” She also recommended free, in-depth online training in partnership with Kansas University at https://ksdsw.org/training/.
There are also organizations which use complimentary content to promote paid courses or certification, but there is a surprising amount of educational content available completely free of charge. Here are a few examples of coursework, videos and webinars that can expand your knowledge and enhance your employment prospects without investing a dime:
Explore These Free Online Courses for Caregivers
RewardingWork.org: Free Respite Care Provider Training
RewardingWork.org, a web-based directory and job board where individuals with disabilities can connect with caregivers, offers free respite training. This National Respite Care Provider Training is designed for people interested in providing respite care to individuals with varying disabilities across the lifespan. The online course has 10 modules, can be taken at your own pace and awards you a respite training certificate upon completion. To learn more about the Respite Care Provider Training courses, visit https://www.rewardingwork.org/respite.
Alison: Global Leader in Free Professional Courses
With more than 45 million learners in 193 countries, Alison is the 800-pound gorilla of free online courses in a wide variety of professions. An initial search under caregiving turned up over 100 options (including Observation Skills for Caregiving, Dementia Care, Caregiver Burden and Stress Management, How to Assess Risk in Adult Care). Alison is upfront that they are a for-profit company and make their money from advertising, merchandise, certificates and diplomas. Okay, so the free part is basically auditing the courses – that still means complimentary access to sit on some valuable classes.
Free Training for Aspiring CNAs
After completing the courses from myCNAJobs, you can apply for certification (at a cost), but you have free access to their training through videos which include a wide range of topics such as Dealing with Aggression in Memory Loss Patients, Turning A Patient in Bed, A Day in the Life of a Home Health Aide and Dental Hygiene. “Caregiver Training On-Air Videos” are free to watch, but training center course required completing an application.
UCLA Health Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care Program
The free caregiver training videos are available in English and Spanish with subtitles in a variety of languages. Topics include repetitive questions, wandering, sundowning, and aggressive behaviors. Other videos include Sleep Disturbances, Repetitive Behaviors, Refusal to Take Medications and Wandering.
Alzheimer’s Association: Free and Certified Training Options
The Alzheimer’s Association offers many courses, some free. Certain courses include certification and can be used toward Continuing Education (CE) (depending on the state). Subjects include 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer's, Managing Money: A Caregiver's Guide to Finances, Dementia Conversations: Driving, Doctor Visits, Legal & Financial Planning, and Living With Alzheimer’s For Caregivers.
Family Caregiver Alliance – Caregiver College Video Series
FCA’s “Caregiver College” video series is comprised of Nutrition, Dental Care, Bathing and Dressing, Toileting and Incontinence, Behavioral Issues, and Self-Care. Their main website includes links to specialized videos such Administering an Insulin Injections, Aging and Intimacy: For Older Adults and Family Caregivers, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Caregivers: You’re Not Alone, Beyond Pills: Eye Drops, Patches & Suppositories, and Building Your Caregiver Toolkit: Supporting a Loved One with Depression.
Ready to Get Started on a Free Caregiver Training?
Bottom line: Caregiver training may not always be a prerequisite to landing a job as a caregiver, but it helps you perform at a high level and may put you in the running for the most desirable jobs. Remember, not all free training opportunities are equal and some offer complementary content to promote paid services or to recruit staff. Choosing the online training that is right for you will enhance your resume and may open the door to new and exciting career opportunities in the caregiving field.