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Erin O'Hara-Leslie, Andrea C. Wade, Ph.D., Kimberly B. McLain, Ph.D., and Tera Doty-Blance

This course is intended as a self-study course for those interested in exploring a career as a Home Health Aide or Personal Care Aide.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Course Information Documents
Contains the syllabus, grading and logistics, and references
Module 1 - Introduction to Home Health Care
Introduction to Home Health Care
Read more
Module 2 - Working Effectively with Home Care Clients
Human Needs, Culture & Diversity, Communication Skills, Developing a Therapeutic Relationship, Patients' Rights
Module 3 - Working with the Elderly
Working with the Elderly
Module 4 - Working with Children
Working with Children
Module 5 - Working with People Who Are Mentally Ill
Working with People Who Are Mentally Ill
Module 6 - Working with People with Developmental Disabilities
Working with People with Developmental Disabilities
Module 7 - Working with People with Physical Disabilities
Working with People with Physical Disabilities
Module 8 - Food, Nutrition, and Meal Preparation
Module 9 - Family Spending and Budgeting
Module 10 - Care of the Home and Personal Belongings
Module 11 - Safety and Injury Prevention
Module 12 - Personal Care

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
This course prepares learners for professions where human and social skills are needed, such as Personal Care Aide or Home Health Aide
Also, this course prepares students for a National Certification Exam
Furthermore, the 12 modules teach fundamental aspects regarding working with different categories of people such as children, elderly, individuals with mental illness, or developmental disabilities
Lastly, the course is structured in self-paced study modules, which may allow learners to take the course at their own pace

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Reviews summary

Supportive home care course

Based on 2 very positive reviews, students say that this home care fundamentals course offers clear and timely information on providing support for patients and families. Though it may not be suitable for those who are already well-versed in the area, learners looking for a systematic overview of the basics of caregiving will find this course accessible and helpful.
Content is well-structured and easy to follow.
"Excellent course, easy to understand..."
"This course is fine, helping me to make a review of all the things about assisting in home care that I learned on my own..."
Course provides a comprehensive grounding in the fundamentals of home care.
"Excellent course...with very specific and timely information!!"
"This course is fine, helping me to make a review..."
Those with previous knowledge may find it less engaging or comprehensive.
"This course is fine, helping me to make a review...all the things about assisting in home care that I learned on my own..."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Foundations for Assisting in Home Care with these activities:
Review caregiving skills
Reviewing caregiving skills can strengthen your foundational knowledge and prepare you for the course materials.
Show steps
  • Review notes from previous caregiving courses or materials.
  • Practice basic caregiving techniques, such as bathing, dressing, and feeding.
Volunteer at a local nursing home or assisted living facility
Volunteering at a local nursing home or assisted living facility will provide you with hands-on experience and the opportunity to learn from experienced professionals.
Show steps
  • Contact a local nursing home or assisted living facility and ask if they have any volunteer opportunities.
  • Complete the necessary paperwork and attend the orientation.
  • Show up for your volunteer shift on time and prepared to work.
Review the Guide to Home Care Nursing by Judith Cullen
Reviewing this book will provide you with valuable insights and information to perform basic nursing tasks at home.
Show steps
  • Read the chapter on the role of the home health aide.
  • Review the chapter on providing personal care.
  • Practice taking vital signs.
Eight other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all 11 activities
Practice taking vital signs on a friend or family member
Practicing taking vital signs will give you the opportunity to develop the skills you need to perform this task accurately in the field.
Browse courses on Vital Signs
Show steps
  • Find a friend or family member who is willing to let you practice taking their vital signs.
  • Gather the necessary equipment.
  • Take the person's vital signs.
  • Record the vital signs.
Take practice quizzes on the course material
Taking practice quizzes will help you to identify your strengths and weaknesses.
Browse courses on Quizzes
Show steps
  • Find practice quizzes on the course material.
  • Take the quizzes and review your answers.
Attend a workshop on communication skills for caregivers
Attending a workshop on communication skills for caregivers can enhance your understanding of effective communication techniques and strategies for interacting with clients.
Browse courses on Communication Skills
Show steps
  • Research and identify workshops in your area.
  • Register for a workshop that aligns with your schedule and interests.
  • Actively participate in the workshop and take notes.
  • Apply the techniques and strategies learned in the workshop to your interactions with clients.
Join a study group with other students in the course
Joining a study group will allow you to collaborate with other students and learn from each other.
Browse courses on Collaboration
Show steps
  • Find other students who are interested in forming a study group.
  • Decide on a meeting time and location.
  • Prepare for each meeting by reading the assigned material and completing any homework.
Write a blog post on the importance of communication in home health care
Creating a blog post will help you reinforce your understanding of the importance of communication in home health care by allowing you to explain the concepts in your own words.
Browse courses on Communication
Show steps
  • Research the importance of communication in home health care.
  • Write an outline for your blog post.
  • Write the first draft of your blog post.
  • Edit and revise your blog post.
Develop a care plan for a patient with a specific medical condition
Developing a care plan will allow you to apply your knowledge of home health care to a specific patient.
Browse courses on Medical Conditions
Show steps
  • Gather information about the patient's medical condition.
  • Identify the patient's needs.
  • Develop a plan of care that meets the patient's needs.
Create a study guide that summarizes the key concepts from the course
Creating a study guide will help you to identify the key concepts in the course.
Show steps
  • Read through your notes and identify the key concepts.
  • Organize the key concepts into a logical order.
  • Write a summary of each key concept.
Contribute to an open-source project related to home health care
Contributing to an open-source project will allow you to apply your skills and knowledge to a real-world project.
Show steps
  • Find an open-source project related to home health care.
  • Read the project documentation and familiarize yourself with the codebase.
  • Make a contribution to the project.

Career center

Learners who complete Foundations for Assisting in Home Care will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Home Health Aide
This course can help you build a foundation for becoming a Home Health Aide by providing you with the basic knowledge and skills you need to provide care to patients in their homes. The course covers topics such as human needs, culture and diversity, communication skills, developing a therapeutic relationship, and patients' rights.
Personal Care Aide
This course can help you prepare for a career as a Personal Care Aide by teaching you how to provide basic care to clients in their homes. You will learn about topics such as assisting with activities of daily living, medication management, and providing emotional support.
Developmental Disability Support Professional
The course includes a dedicated module on working with people with developmental disabilities, covering topics like understanding their unique needs and providing appropriate support. This knowledge can be valuable in a career as a Developmental Disability Support Professional.
Caregiver
This course can help build a foundation for those considering a career as a Caregiver by providing a comprehensive overview of providing care to individuals in their homes. The course covers essential topics such as assisting with daily living activities, maintaining a clean and safe environment, and providing emotional support.
Geriatric Care Manager
The course covers important topics such as working effectively with elderly clients, their specific needs, and how to provide appropriate care. This knowledge can be valuable for those interested in a career as a Geriatric Care Manager.
Physical Therapist Aide
The course includes a module on working with people with physical disabilities, covering topics such as assisting with mobility and rehabilitation exercises. This knowledge can be helpful for those interested in a career as a Physical Therapist Aide.
Childcare Provider
The course includes a module on working with children, which can be beneficial for those interested in becoming a Childcare Provider. The module covers topics such as child development, safety, and nutrition, which are essential for providing quality care to children.
Certified Nursing Assistant
This course may be helpful for those interested in becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). The course covers topics such as providing basic nursing care, assisting with medical procedures, and maintaining a clean and safe environment.
Mental Health Support Worker
The course includes a module on working with people with mental illness and covers topics like recognizing and responding to mental health issues. This knowledge can be valuable for those interested in a career as a Mental Health Support Worker.
Dietitian's Assistant
The course covers topics such as food, nutrition, and meal preparation. This knowledge can be beneficial for individuals interested in becoming a Dietitian's Assistant.
Patient Care Technician
This course may also be beneficial for individuals looking to become a Patient Care Technician (PCT). The course provides an overview of basic patient care skills, such as taking vital signs, assisting with bathing and dressing, and providing emotional support.
Housekeeper
The course covers topics such as care of the home and personal belongings, which can be beneficial for individuals looking to work as a Housekeeper. The course provides an understanding of maintaining a clean and organized living space.
Safety Inspector
The course includes a module on safety and injury prevention, covering topics such as identifying and mitigating hazards in the home. This knowledge can be valuable for those interested in a career as a Safety Inspector.
Home Organizer
The course covers topics such as family spending and budgeting, which can be helpful for those interested in becoming a Home Organizer. The course provides an understanding of managing finances and creating a more organized and efficient home environment.
Social Worker
While the course does not directly focus on social work, the module on working with people who are mentally ill provides valuable insights into mental health issues and support strategies. This knowledge can be beneficial for individuals interested in a career as a Social Worker.

Reading list

We've selected ten books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Foundations for Assisting in Home Care.
This comprehensive textbook provides an in-depth examination of geriatric nursing principles and practices. It offers valuable insights and practical guidance for working with elderly clients in home care settings.
This comprehensive guide offers practical advice on nutrition and meal planning for individuals with disabilities, including those receiving home care services. It addresses specific nutritional needs and provides recipes and meal plans.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the care of older adults. It covers topics such as geriatric assessment, common health problems, and end-of-life care.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the care of the child. It covers topics such as feeding, bathing, and diapering.
Provides a comprehensive overview of developmental disabilities in children and adolescents. It covers topics such as assessment, diagnosis, and treatment.
Provides a comprehensive overview of physical disabilities in adults. It covers topics such as assessment, diagnosis, and treatment.
Provides a comprehensive overview of home management and maintenance. It covers topics such as cleaning, repairs, and safety.
Provides a comprehensive overview of family financial planning. It covers topics such as budgeting, saving, investing, and retirement planning.

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