MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – A local nonprofit is hosting training to assist and support in home caregivers. The Caregiver Incentive Project teaches workshops and gives one on one instruction to support caregivers and those in need of care.
The Caregiver Incentive Project, or CIP, works to educate the public on what it means to be a good caregiver. The project regularly hosts training sessions to inform the public on different aspects of caregiving.
Hailey Derocher is a secondary education major at NMU, she attended today’s training to gain more knowledge on the skills of caregivers.
“I thought that I would like to be able to pay it forward one day and help out myself and my family who might need it,” Derocher says, “so I thought now would be a really good time to start learning about it, because you never know when something might happen and people might need my help.”
Most caregivers work independently or with private agencies. The workshop organizers explained that there is no standard training or education needed to be a caregiver. The project founder began these workshops as a form of training when they realized there was no standard of education for most caretakers. Jennifer Voegtline is CEO at Lake Superior Lifecare Hospice, Her staff volunteered to present some of what they do at Lifecare during todays workshops.
“I think we all probably will be or have been a caregiver at some point in or lives,” Voegtline says, “so having the training and the skills so we can set up for success and to help our loved ones, to help our friends and our families”
CIP’s training includes information about how to keep proper documentation, education on types of abuse and how to recognize it, and demonstrations from physical therapists on how to properly aid people with mobility issues. Physical Therapist Addie Sanders gave instruction on how to properly perform lifts and transitions, as well a demonstrations on how to use certain mobility aids.
“Many patients I work with will say they are working with caregivers who don’t have that training and don’t have that background.” Sander says, “That’s why the caregiver incentive project itself is such an important, necessary thing in our system.”
There is still another session of training tomorrow, Saturday, April 29th from 11am until 6pm at The Messiah Lutheran Church in Marquette.
This summer CIP will be hosting workshops once a month to continue to give support and educate caregivers and those in need, The first summer workshop is May 10th at 5:30pm in The Masonic Center in Marquette.
