When Georgina Hodgson-Castillo talks about caregiving, her voice carries a quiet strength, the kind that comes from years of lived experience. Her formal entry into caregiving occurred when she became a mother, but she says she was always a caregiver, right from the start.
Caregiver Training Brought Skill to a Job That Requires Heart
“I’d always wanted to be a nurse,” she shares. “I felt that I had the caregiver instinct in me.” That instinct first revealed itself when she was younger, helping a neighbor-mother care for her child. As an adult, Georgina provided part-time caregiving to older adults, while also providing care for her own son, Henry, who has intellectual challenges. Her days are filled with compassion, patience, and a sense of purpose. “When you do something with your heart, it pays back,” she says.
Gaining Skills & Confidence — Caregiver Training Through CCA
Although Georgina had years of personal caregiving experience, she knew there was more to learn. That’s why she decided to take the in-home supportive services (IHSS) Essentials caregiver training course offered by the Center for Caregiver Advancement (CCA) in partnership with the L.A. Care Health Plan (LA Care). She learned about the program through a call from a CCA outreach coordinator, along with some text messages promoting available classes.
The training included vital caregiving skills—CPR, administering medication properly, nutrition, and more. But it was the CPR training that left the deepest impression on Georgina.
“The first time I learned CPR, I didn’t fully understand the responsibility it came with,” she says. The CCA course helped her see CPR from a more serious, practical perspective. She now understands the importance of not just knowing the steps to perform CPR but being mentally and emotionally prepared to act in the moment to save someone.
“I appreciated how supportive and reassuring the CCA instructor was. That made all the difference.”
The CCA instructor made sure all the students understood every aspect of each lesson. “She could see when some students were confused about the details—even through Zoom. She had a lot of patience with us, reviewed lessons if we were confused, and encouraged us to ask questions.”
Heart-Centered Skills Put into Practice
Today, Georgina applies the knowledge she gained through CCA in her day-to-day life as her adult son’s primary caregiver. One of the most practical skills she learned? Nutrition.
Henry, who has autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), is high-energy and sensitive to sugar. “Instead of giving him medication for the ADHD, I manage his diet,” Georgina explains. “I don’t give him sweets after 4:00 PM, and I make sure he eats balanced meals.” Thanks to her attentive care and the healthy nutrition choices she learned, Henry is seizure-free, well-behaved, and thriving.
Georgina’s approach isn’t purely technical, it’s deeply intentional. She treats caregiving as both an art and a science, customizing her strategies to meet her son’s unique needs.
“I learned that good caregiving is about treating our consumers with dignity, compassion and clear communication.”
Some Caregiving Lessons Go Beyond the Textbook
One of Georgina’s favorite parts of the CCA classes was the opportunity to connect with fellow caregivers and hear about their experiences. During discussions, she shared a story about how she encouraged an older adult consumer to bathe by making the activity fun—inviting him to wear a suit afterward to make it feel special. This kind of creative thinking resonated with her classmates.
“We all shared our caregiving tips. I learned that giving a consumer more autonomy—even something as small as letting them take their own medication from a cup instead of placing it directly in their mouth—can make a difference.”
Georgina believes this kind of shared learning is invaluable for any level of caregiver. “It doesn’t matter how much you already know—even skilled nurses can learn more. There’s always something new that can help you provide better care.”
A Caregiver with Ambition — Aspiring to a Future in Nursing
Georgina isn’t done learning. In fact, she’s just getting started. She has her eyes on becoming a licensed vocational nurse (LVN) and is considering taking more classes through CCA. The bilingual instructors and welcoming environment have given her the encouragement to keep going. “I’d recommend CCA to anyone who is a caregiver or wants to become one,” she says with confidence.
Her journey serves as a powerful reminder that caregiving is more than a job—it’s a vocation. It’s a calling that requires both skill and heart, and Georgina embodies both in abundance.
A Tribute to Everyday Heroes Who Provide Skilled Care
In a world that often overlooks the tireless work of in-home caregivers, Georgina Hodgson-Castillo shines as a beacon of quiet resilience and compassion. She represents the many caregivers who go the extra mile because they genuinely enjoy providing quality, skilled, and compassionate care to another person.
Her story is one of dedication, love, and a lifelong desire to grow. And in every action she takes—from preparing meals to practicing CPR—Georgina proves that caregiving, when done with heart, truly transforms lives.
About CCA’s Partnership with LA Care
In 2017, the Center for Caregiver Advancement (CCA) partnered with the L.A. Care Health Plan to provide training to in-home supportive services (IHSS) providers caring for its members. In 2019 and 2023, LA Care released utilization studies showing statistically significant drops in emergency room visits and inpatient utilization among its members whose caregivers completed their skills training through CCA.
