Working in a client’s home, the Certified Companion Aide (CCA)® is ideally situated to play an important role in providing care to clients and their families. In this age of far-flung families and busy schedules, the CCA often becomes an extra pair of eyes and ears for the family. Therefore, many fears can be eased and the burden of caring for a loved one can be relieved.
The CCA who is selected to complete additional training and become a Certified Hospice Companion Aide (CHCA)® is uniquely positioned to relieve even more of the burden and help clients and families see death as a natural extension of life. In addition to assisting with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs), the CHCA will provide observational skills, emotional support, and non-medical interventions for symptom relief.
Because of their intense relationships with their clients, CHCAs are able to observe the physical and emotional symptoms of clients and families associated with dying. They not only observe but, often, also experience the losses and grief of the dying process. Because of these issues and the importance and difficulty of dealing with struggling families, this program was developed. The following guidelines aided in this development.
- Education is key. Dying is often fraught with physical, emotional and spiritual issues for clients, families and caregivers. The better educated the caregiver is, the better care that can be provided.
- CHCAs are integral to the client’s care and are an important adjunct to the professional hospice team.
- Being educated and involved in the care of dying clients provides a rich and satisfying experience for the CHCA.
- Being aware of symptoms to observe and report enables the hospice team to ease them. In addition, the CHCA is able to provide non-medical interventions. Sometimes a warm touch or caring gesture is the most comforting “medicine.”
Want to serve families as a CHCA? To do so, you will need to start by becoming a caregiver for Abiding HomeCare or another member of The Senior’s Choice. If you would like to be considered for an interview, please call our JobLine at (360) 447-7380 for more information. You will need to complete an employment application and then be interviewed. Once hired, you can enroll in the CCA program and complete that certification. After successfully serving for a CCA long enough to be recognized as one of the best, you may be invited to qualify and serve as a Certified Hospice Companion Aide (CHCA)®.
