San Diego Caregiver Connections 


Son and Mother Taking photo in Living Room

Caregiver training courses are the foundation of quality care. They equip caregivers with essential skills, knowledge, and empathy required to provide safe and effective support while making a meaningful difference in the lives of those they care for. The SDSU Center for Excellence in Aging & Longevity (CEAL) is committed to delivering the highest standard of caregiver training and ensuring the well-being of both caregivers and care recipients. 

The Need

With an aging population and increasing demand for personalized care, there simply aren’t enough trained professionals to meet these needs. This shortage puts immense pressure on existing caregivers, compromises the quality of care, and leaves vulnerable individuals without adequate support.

1 out of 5 Americans are caregivers to an adult with health or daily living needs. In California, there is a labor shortage of 3.2 million direct care workers. 80% of caregivers are women and 51% are on public assistance. Direct care workers earn less than half of the state's median annual income. 1 in 5 caregivers report financial hardships 26% of Americans are caring for someone with Alzheimer's disease or dementia. 61% of family caregivers are also working. 1 in 3 caregivers provides 20 hours of care per week Unpaid caregivers deliver 34 billion hours of care to older adults in the United State valued at $470 billion. 47% of adults in their 40s and 50s in the "sandwich generation: care for both a parent and a child.

Our Solution

San Diego Caregiver Connections is a groundbreaking initiative that offers free competency-based courses, peer support, and career pathways to boost job satisfaction and retention rates. Our solutions for caregivers include training courses to enhance caregiving skills and provide essential knowledge, along with peer support networks that foster community, shared experiences, and emotional support.

Free Training Courses

If you’re a caregiver, or know someone who is, we invite you to explore our comprehensive training curriculum, available both online and in-person. Our courses cover essential topics, including activities of daily living, stress management, understanding dementia, and effective problem-solving techniques.

Peer Support

Caregiving is both a profoundly rewarding and intensely demanding role. Whether you are caring for an aging family member, a loved one with a chronic illness, or working as a professional caregiver, the journey can be overwhelming. However, you don’t have to navigate this path alone. The San Diego Caregiver Connections Peer Support program is a strong network of peers with shared experiences who can provide emotional support, advice, empowerment, problem-solving skills, and resources. Click here to learn more.

Our Partners 

Determined Health 

Glenner Family Centers 

Stepping Higher, Inc. 

County of San Diego IHSS Public Authority