Last month 10 Caregiver students at Asian Institute of Health Care were off to good start to London and Canada. They successfully passed the rigorous screening to work as professional Caregivers in these countries. These students underwent six months of intensive training and two months on the job training in care delivery focusing on providing assistance to individuals who are unable to carry on with daily living by themselves.

Today thousands of Filipinos work abroad as Caregivers. Unfortunately some people have the wrong notion that Caregivers actually work as “yayas” or domestic helpers. This is probably because of the extent of high intimacy chores of helping the client in eating, helping in the toilet needs, walking, dressing, and the like. Far from it. Caregiving in London and Canada are recognized as a high skilled occupation. Precisely the very reason our own Caregivers qualify to work in these countries. Filipinos work in these countries as Certified Caregivers. Some researches tend to re-classify Caregivers as “nurse extensions” because of their performance of many “bedside care activities”. Very often they work with the Nurses as part of the care team.

In my 25 years of work as Special Nurse for patients requiring long-term care, I had the chance to work with “yayas” or the housemaids as my support personnel. As my patients included care for the terminally ill, most of my time had to be engaged in implementing medical intervention orders from doctors. With the “yaya”not having any formal training in care methodologies, all I really had were two extra hands. I could have been more efficient; if I had worked with the kind of Caregivers we have today.

When we established Asian Institute of Health Care eight years ago, we precisely aimed at developing Caregivers who can work not only in the homes but also in nursing home facilities, geriatric homes, hospice centers, respite homes and even day care establishments. We adapted a dual mode of training through which our students will receive actual training in hospitals and nursing homes. Our caregivers acquire special skills in caring for the terminally ill in our own hospice facilities.

Our own Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) have recognized this occupation by issuing permits for its training. In a way, this gives our graduates a government recognized certificate. Today we are collaborating with TESDA with everything possible to help everyone empower through a short termed training and i am committed to serve everyone with grace and ease. . .