By Dianne Boyd, Branch Manager at Allmed
As we celebrate Carer’s Week, an annual campaign recognising the invaluable work of caregivers, it’s essential to highlight the critical role they play in supporting the elderly and their families. In South Africa, the growing number of elderly individuals has created a pressing need for qualified caregivers.
Given the deep-rooted relationships between many domestic helpers and their employers, formally training these helpers to become specialised caregivers presents a promising solution. This approach not only ensures consistent care but also respects the deep connection between employer and helper, facilitating a smooth transition into a new phase of support and companionship.
Through specialised training, domestic workers can acquire the necessary qualification to provide professional elderly care within a three-month timeframe, while also enhancing their long-term career prospects.
Setting the stage for specialised care
In South Africa, the Older Persons Act is clear that caregivers for the elderly must possess formal qualifications to ensure the provision of quality care. Temporary Employment Services (TES) offer a practical solution to this growing need, providing training and up-skilling of helpers to become qualified caregivers. Through focused instruction and hands-on learning, helpers gain formal proficiency in addressing the unique needs of the elderly, including wound care, palliative care, medication management, and mental health support.
The benefits of training domestic helpers
Investing in training toward a formal qualification for domestic helpers has broader implications beyond immediate caregiving. For the helpers, it enhances their job prospects and ensures their continued employment security. Importantly, it equips them with the skills needed to navigate the changing terrain of elder care with assurance and proficiency.
In this way, empowering domestic helpers with specialised skills addresses the growing demand for quality elder care while contributing to the professional development and well-being of a dedicated workforce capable of caring for society’s most vulnerable.
The importance of trust and training
The combination of trust and training serves as a cornerstone in elder care. The deep-rooted relationships between domestic helpers and their employers provide a foundation of trust and understanding, facilitating effective communication and collaboration.
When coupled with specialised training, these relationships become even more valuable, ensuring that the elderly receive personalised and compassionate care from individuals who genuinely care about their well-being.
TES providers can play a vital role in facilitating this transition, providing the necessary training and support to equip domestic helpers with the skills and knowledge required to become competent caregivers. Accredited training programs ensure that helpers are equipped to handle the challenges and responsibilities associated with elder care.
Benefits for the elderly and their families
Beyond the immediate benefits, investing in training for domestic helpers can also contribute to the overall well-being of the elderly population. When the elderly receive care from trusted individuals who are familiar with meeting their specific needs, they are more likely to experience improved quality of life, reduced stress, and increased feelings of security and belonging. This can have a positive impact on their physical and mental health, leading to better overall outcomes.
As the elderly population grows, demand for quality elder care services will only increase. By empowering domestic helpers to take on caregiver roles, it is possible to meet this demand and reduce the strain on families who may be struggling to balance their own responsibilities with the needs of caring for their elderly loved ones.
Benefits for the caregiver and community
In addition to the benefits for the elderly and their families, training domestic helpers for specialised elderly care can also have a positive impact on the broader community. Investing in the professional development of domestic helpers contributes to the growth and development of a skilled workforce. This can have long-term economic benefits for the country, as it can help to create jobs and boost the economy.
Training as a caregiver and receiving a formal qualification offers numerous benefits for domestic workers. This training enhances their job security, increases their earning potential, develops new skills, and helps to provide a sense of personal satisfaction and fulfilment. A caregiver qualification can open doors to a wider range of job opportunities, improve career prospects, and provide extensive opportunities for overseas employment.
A care transition that makes sense for everyone
Empowering domestic helpers for specialised elderly care is a win-win situation. It addresses the growing demand for quality elder care, ensures continuity of care for the elderly, and provides opportunities for professional advancement for domestic helpers. As South Africa’s population ages, training domestic helpers to become specialised caregivers is a practical and effective approach to addressing the growing need for quality elder care.
This initiative not only benefits the elderly and their families but also empowers domestic workers and contributes to the development of a skilled and qualified caregiving workforce. By recognising the value of caregivers during Carer’s Week, we can highlight the importance of investing in their training and support.
