Did you know that there are no national training requirements for in-home elder caregivers? Nor, for that matter, are there any State training requirements for many kinds of caregivers.

A recent study by The Caregiving Project For Older Adults identified a misperception among those surveyed that could create serious misunderstandings for families looking for experienced caregivers. It appears that, although 78% of the people surveyed believed that their caregivers had received a recognized level of training, in fact there is no such thing.

A licensed or certified aide (depending on your State) has received training in a specified curriculum and has passed a standardized certification or licensing exam. The fact that a caregiver has a current  "license" or "certificate" does verify that she received this training and did complete any annual required continuing education.

An "aide," "companion" or "sitter," on the other hand, may have no formal training at all. If this caregiver is employed by a professional agency, he or she may have received some amount of training from the agency. But not necessarily and not to any particular standardized curriculum.

If a caregiver is working for you privately, it may be that your caregiver has simply had some on-the-job experience with families who came before you.

Why is this important? As our older loved ones become more frail or have increased dementia, the special skills that caregivers need will increase. A caregiver who manages in the beginning with a little common sense and physical strength may find herself in water completely over her head as her client's needs increase.

Does this mean you shouldn't ever hire an uncertified or unlicensed caregiver? Not at all. There are thousands of perfectly competent, experienced caregivers who have never been certified or licensed because they never worked in a medical homecare agency or care facility that required it.

What it does mean is you should never take it for granted that any caregiver has had formal training unless he or she is working as a licensed or certified aid or nurse. You have to ask. If your elder has an illness or behavior that calls for a caregiver with particular experience or training, ask for evidence before you hire. You are always within your rights to ask to see the caregiver's current certificate or license.

If you are using caregivers supplied by an agency, when you ask about experience be sure to also ask about licensure or certification. Many agencies will have caregivers both with and without this level of training.