Defending caregivers

October 19, 2010.

Here are a few thoughts of mine on the defence of Bermuda's caregivers. The caregivers with many years experience vs. the caregivers who graduated after one year of education with a certificate in geriatrics.

Lately I read in your column about a few caregivers who voiced their concerns. The late Nelson Bascome had a good idea about caregivers being qualified. I suggest that the experienced caregivers have an opportunity to do the exam by verbal, written and/or practical. If they should fail any part of the exam they should be allowed to do the course in that area and redo the exam. That way the caregivers should be able to keep their jobs, since there is a shortage of staff in this area in the rest homes across the island.

Whilst there are a number of responsibilities the caregiver have, i.e. bathing, feeding, rest room assistance, etc., and some of these responsibilities do not need certification it makes sense to let the experienced caregivers work with the qualified caregivers. Every one needs to have some work to help him or herself and his or her family.

W.S. FOX

Smith's