Personal Care Aide Certification and Caregiver Certification; It's all in the "Name"

Often times we are asked what the difference is between a “Personal Care Aide” and a “Caregiver.”  Really, the only difference is in name.  They perform the same or similar duties except that Personal Care Aides are typically seen more in home-style care environments (one-to-one), as opposed to caregivers who typically work more in traditional care home environments, more often referred to as “assisted living facilities”, or “adult care homes.”

Further, while there may be differentiation with respect to certain topics that each training entails, ultimately both certifications equate to the same job which is that of taking care of senior citizens no longer able to function independently.  Of course, both Caregivers and Personal Care Aides can and do work in different venues (i.e., hospice, hospitals, etc.) but we are talking specifically about assisted living facilities and in-home care.  From this vantage point both are the same.

However, keep in mind that Personal Care Aide training, while it may may be essentially the same as caregiver training; will cost more.  Why?  It’s all in the name.  PCA “sounds” fancier” but in reality, is nothing more than another name for “Caregiver.”  The new “name” will cost you.  Personal Care Aide training costs around $200.00 or more.  There is simply no need to spend so much on what amounts to caregiver training.  Look no further than the National Standard in caregiver/personal care aide certification, the American Caregiver Association.  Our course is a mere $69.00.  You also have the option of acquiring both National Caregiver Certification (NCCC), and National Assisted Living Manager Certification (NALMCC) in a bundle right now for only $109.00.

The American Caregiver Association has been around since 1989, and we have the largest family of certified caregivers and assisted living managers in the U.S.  We are also the most recognized and respected caregiver organization in the United States.  Moreover, the entire staff of the ACA are experienced volunteers, who have worked as caregivers, managers and facility owners.  Because our staff is made up of volunteers we are able to offer you our caregiver and manager certification so inexpensively.  At the end of the day, everyone needs to be certified through the American Caregiver Association.  We are the National Standard.

Finally, here at the ACA we use the term “caregiver” simply because it is more universal and can interpreted to cover all areas of caregiving.  To “care” means to help, and ultimately this is what caregivers and personal care aides do.  Titles are not so important, what we “do” is important.  Let’s push to get every caregiver or potential caregiver certified.

To acquire National caregiver (personal care aide), or manager certification visit our website at www.americancaregiverassociation.org