[kala83]

so I have a friend of mine that is disaled and needs a night nurse assistant...as well as she wants someone to stay over with her...since she hardly ever has anyone at her place.

what I am wondering is I have heard some people tell me that I could get a little bit of money for the work of being a personal caregiver, but I am not entirely sure just what all I have to do. I don't have certifications under my belt right now.

even though I would like to, and I am in the process of trying to file a law suite for my own disablities for mental health my self.

My mother keeps bugging me about this saying that. If I don't get somehting for the time that I put in its not gonna be worth it. And I would like to use it as experince on resume but I am a little lost.

[shezbut]

You're at a very tricky position.

Caregiving is a skill, and it's much needed in today's society. If you're wanting to care for your friend one or two nights per/week, you ought to be okay. If, however, you're wanting full-time work, this will create major struggles with obtaining SSI/SSDI.

The whole point of SSI/SSDI is to help those that can't handle working, and making a liveable income. You have to take these aspects into consideration. Be honest. Can you handle working nearly f/t with helping your friend in the evenings? If so, SSI/SSDI probably isn't the best road for you to take. And I would encourage you to take a class to make yourself a PCA (professional care attendant) to use later down the road. The pay is pretty darn good and always needed!

If you're thinking that this is just going to be easy money, caring for your disabled friend one or two nights a week, then give it a try and see how well you can handle it. *Just so you know, many nights go uneventfully. Others with chaos do come though and you have to have plans set to fall back upon when those hard times do pop up though.*

As an former CNA, (certified nursing assistant) I can attest to both the pleasure of helping others and the stressful needs/ demands that also come with the territory. Not a lot of people have the patience, compassion, and care to put their TLC into caring. It can be a wonderful experience! But, it can also be very demanding and I couldn't keep up would those frequent necessary changes within the nursing home.

Think about it.

[winter4me]

Shezbut summed it up.
As a nurse (& former aide) with lots of experience; including that of caring for my mother at home for a number of years while working with the elderly, I concur.
Getting a bit of training would be Very helpful for you to be able to provide good care in a safe and effective manner, and give you a chance to find out if this is something you would want to do. The skills are often underrated ---this is not easy work; even just with one person in their home.

[winter4me]

Also. Talk to some of the people here at PC in the caregiver support group to learn more about the various challenges of being a caregiver.

[kala83]

I am currently actually living with her the compensation for now is that I stay here with her rent free she has a few other nurses that come in and help her out with things, and i lend a hand when I can.
Such as this morning when I helped her morning nurse with giving her a shower, as well as using a device that helps her get out of her chair and into her hospital bed...in her apartment.
As well as driving her too and from her appointments.

I guess I feel comfortable with it because I am myself with my mental issues are disabled and we can both relate to it..as well as our parents not always helping with our situations, that and I have known her (used to be a him) for like near on 11 years.

you know the hardest thing for me right now is i have all these things i want to pursue in my life as to
what I wanna do as to work....and I do intend on doing them...just all of it ends up costing money in the long run money that I don't have right now. I am working with vocation rehabilitation in my local area...maybe I can talk to them about this and get some further advise.

[Perna]

I would find your local career center and talk to them:

Training Assistance

[yellowted]

i am not sure abbout the ways where you are but in the UK unpaid care givers can claim carers allowance, which is supposed to make up for the loss of wages but in reality is no where close.
there may be benefits you can claim as a caregiver, there may be money available for the disabled person to buy in your services ie pay you for what you do even if it is a reduced wage because you are residing there, there may be charities willing to help out either with volunteers for the care giving to free you up for working or with finance to either help you back to work or to buy in other care givers to free you up

[winter4me]

I don't know where you are either, one thing I have been is an LNA (Licensed Nursing Assistant, same here as Certified Nursing Assistant) instructor for the Red Cross; and although it costs money, I know that you can get "scholarships" and/or reimbursement based on economic need. Good Luck!! I got into the field blindly, taking a job in a big old state hospital a zillion years ago and got lucky, it was a good fit...(the work)