01 Feb Demonstrate your Expertise for Dementia Care in your next interview
Did you know that more than 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s? By 2050 this number could increase to as high as 16 million. The need for home health aides who are educated and/or specialize in dementia care is on the rise as this disease continues to affect an increasing number of people.
As you prepare yourself for job interviews or promotions within the home health care industry you will be expected to discuss your skills, education, and the situational events you have/may come across in the job.
Be confident and proud of what you have learned and experienced in your career thus far. While, there are a number of opportunities out there that appear to have entry-level application requirements; emphasizing your knowledge within specialized areas, like Dementia care, could just be the very thing that sets you apart from the rest, warrants a higher pay, and may afford you greater opportunities in the long run.
In an industry that is massively dependent on those who deliver services to others; hiring managers are always seeking candidates with a strong background and those who can demonstrate a great deal of growth through previous work experiences that can be translated to future clients.
Prior to your interview, plan out your talking points on Dementia care to showcase your education, highlight your strengths, and justify the potential to earn more than the minimum wage starting salary.
Discuss Training
Whether you received specialized training with a previous employer or have taken continuing education credits focused on Dementia care, it is important to highlight your credentials in an interview.
Discuss specifics about what you learned; including things like fall prevention, restraint free care, nutrition and general strategies for caring for someone with Dementia.
Below are a few resources that offer great information:
- The Alzheimer’s Association Excellent free resources to refresh some of your skills.
Reviewing these guides for just 20-30 minutes is a great way to prepare for interviews. - OnCourse Learning has an online certificate program for Dementia care.
This is a 23 hour online program with bite sized videos you can watch at your convenience. - Veterans Health Administration– Dementia Care Advice.
This is a quick 25 minute video that offers great advice on positive approaches to those who suffer with Dementia. - Free training videos from USLA
Library of short videos in English and Spanish.
Discuss Experience
When discussing your experience as a home health aide for clients with this condition, use specific examples to demonstrate how you applied your training in the real world. Show that you were creative in finding ways to apply the best practices you learned:
- How did you remain flexible and accommodate the changes in your client’s behavior?
- What efforts were made to reduce confusion?
- Describe any exercise and activities you may have designed for your client.
- Describe some ‘tricks’ you used to tackle bath time and sunset.
- Discuss some of the practical solutions you deployed to reduce the risk of injury around the house.
Last Word
Don’t settle for less than you are worth. If you are struggling to break out of the minimum wage rut, start doing something about it. Sharpen your skills with education- there are so many resources available to you that can make all the difference. Improve your interview skills and make a plan to move your career to the next level!