Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) in collaboration with Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has developed a six months certificate proramme on Certificate in Geriatric Care Assistance (CGCA). Any 12th pass with sciences can join this programme. A Geriatric Care Assistant (GCA) can be defined as a trained and certified health-care worker who usually works in a hospital, home or Old Age home environment and provide care to the elderly or old age patients. Internationally they may be called by similar names such as Elderly Care Attendants, Geriatric Nursing Aides or Patient Care Assistants
After completion of this programme, a student should be able to: Discuss & verbalize the role of a basic healthcare provider; Demonstrate basic healthcare needs of ambulatory conscious elderly people; Build a comprehensive knowledge base on basic issues in geriatric care; Enhance their skill and capacities in counseling and management of age care institutions; Expose to various situations and innovative approaches in the field of ageing; Enhance their knowledge in resource management, advocacy and networking ; Demonstrate techniques to maintain the personal hygiene needs of an elderly patient ; Practice infection control measures; Demonstrate the ability to perform clinical skills essential in providing basic healthcare services ; Promote safety, understand usage of protective devices and demonstrate precautions to be taken while usage of equipment and devices; Demonstrate professional behavior, personal qualities and characteristics of a Geriatric Care Assistant; Demonstrate right methods of bio-medical waste management; Demonstrate professional techniques in feeding ; Demonstrate Basic Life Support, Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation and other actions in the event of medical and facility emergencies; Demonstrate good communication, communicate accurately and appropriately in the role of Geriatric Care Assistant and demonstrate professional appearance and demeanor