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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.

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Can I play a little Devil's Advocate here? Have you seen any of the things your grandmother is telling you for yourself? I'm not saying it isn't happening. There are always facilities that don't treat their residents well. But there are also residents who tell their family members that bad things are happening that actually are not. How long has she been there? A lot of seniors are really unhappy for a while in a skilled nursing facility especially when it wasn't their favorite choice, and they could tell loved ones things they know will strike a cord and make their loved ones worried and concerned.
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.
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I believe, as worriedinCali said, if you went through the training, became licensed, plus hired, it's very doubtful that you will be able to be the exclusive carer for your grandmother. You would be expected to care for other patients on your shift.
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There is a woman in my mother's nursing home whose family has hired a private caregiver just for their mom. I think it was really up to the nursing home to allow that, though.

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.
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Medicaid, which I am assuming Gmom is on, will not pay for her to have one on one. And you can't take everything to heart about what Gmom says. You say she has always been difficult. These type of people usually are complainers. As such, staff usually does what they need to and go on to the next resident. They really don't have time for one on one.

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.
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You would probably have to become a CNA (certified nursing assistant) in order to be hired by the nursing home.The CNA program is usually around 12 weeks long. But you do realize that you wouldn’t get to spend your shift with your grandmother right? You would have other duties & people to care for. It’s extremely unlikely that if the facility hires you, they will hire you solely for your grandmother.
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