Foundations for Assisting in Home Care

Foundations for Assisting in Home Care

Instructors: Erin O'Hara-Leslie

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32,600 already enrolled

13 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

672 reviews

7 weeks to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

99%

Most learners liked this course

13 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

672 reviews

7 weeks to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

99%

Most learners liked this course

Skills you'll gain

Caregiving
Working With Children
Disabilities
Patient Communication
Basic Patient Care
Family Support
Home Health Care
Cultural Diversity
Geriatrics
Nutrition and Diet
Patient Safety
Child Development
Meal Planning And Preparation
Dignity in Care
Mental and Behavioral Health
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Assessments

12 assignments

Taught in English

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There are 13 modules in this course

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.

Contains the syllabus, grading and logistics, and references

What's included

1 video8 readings

Introduction to Home Health Care

What's included

14 readings1 assignment

14 readings Total 140 minutes

Introduction 10 minutes
What is Home Health Care? 10 minutes
Who Receives Home Health Care Services? 10 minutes
History of Home Health Care 10 minutes
Who is Part of the Home Health Care Team 10 minutes
Home Health Care Team Roles - Part 1 10 minutes
Home Health Care Team Roles - Part 2 10 minutes
Home Health Care Team Roles - Part 3 10 minutes
Home Health Care Team Roles - Part 4 10 minutes
Home Health Aide/Personal Care Aide Tasks 10 minutes
Scope of Practice 10 minutes
Chain of Command 10 minutes
Qualities of Home Health Aides & Personal Care Aides 10 minutes
Education & Training Requirements 10 minutes

1 assignment Total 30 minutes

Module 1 Quiz 30 minutes

Human Needs, Culture & Diversity, Communication Skills, Developing a Therapeutic Relationship, Patients' Rights

What's included

74 readings1 assignment

74 readings Total 740 minutes

Introduction 10 minutes
Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs 10 minutes
Physical Needs 10 minutes
Safety and Security Needs 10 minutes
Need for Love and Belonging 10 minutes
Need for Self-Esteem 10 minutes
Need for Self-Actualization 10 minutes
Culture 10 minutes
Race versus Culture 10 minutes
Ethnocentrism, Diversity, & Stereotypes 10 minutes
Self-Awareness 10 minutes
Cultural Awareness & Cultural Competence 10 minutes
Introduction to Cultures 10 minutes
African American 10 minutes
Asians 10 minutes
Latinos 10 minutes
Middle East 10 minutes
Introduction to Religions of the World 10 minutes
Agnostics and Atheists 10 minutes
Buddhism 10 minutes
Christianity 10 minutes
Hinduism 10 minutes
Islam 10 minutes
Judaism 10 minutes
Introduction to Family & Diversity 10 minutes
Supporting Family Members 10 minutes
Communication 10 minutes
Types of Communication 10 minutes
Types of Communication - Summary 10 minutes
Language Barriers 10 minutes
Hearing Impairment 10 minutes
Visual Impairment 10 minutes
Aphasia/Speech Impairment 10 minutes
Cognitive Impairment 10 minutes
Yes/No Questions 10 minutes
Asking "Why?" 10 minutes
Use of Cliches 10 minutes
Introduction to Active Listening 10 minutes
How to Be a Good Listener - Part 1 10 minutes
How to Be a Good Listener - Part 2 10 minutes
How to Be a Good Listener - Part 3 10 minutes
Introduction to Therapeutic Relationship 10 minutes
How to Establish a Therapeutic Relationship - Part 1 10 minutes
How to Establish a Therapeutic Relationship - Part 2 10 minutes
How to Establish a Therapeutic Relationship - Part 3 10 minutes
Terminating the Relationship 10 minutes
Self Check for Boundaries 10 minutes
Introduction to Documentation 10 minutes
Use of Your Senses 10 minutes
What Information to Include in Documentation 10 minutes
How to Complete Documentation 10 minutes
Confidentiality 10 minutes
Sample Documentation 10 minutes
Introduction to Communicating on the Telephone 10 minutes
Sample Phone Call 10 minutes
Sample Phone Message 10 minutes
Introduction to Patient's Rights 10 minutes
Physical Abuse 10 minutes
Emotional Abuse 10 minutes
Financial Abuse 10 minutes
Sexual Abuse 10 minutes
Domestic violence 10 minutes
Neglect 10 minutes
Reporting Abuse & Neglect 10 minutes
Introduction to Patient's Rights 10 minutes
Patient's Responsibilities 10 minutes
How a Home Health Aide/Personal Care Aide Support a Patient's Rights 10 minutes
Introduction to Advanced Directives 10 minutes
Living Wills 10 minutes
Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care (Health Care Proxy) 10 minutes
Do-Not-Resuscitate (DNR) 10 minutes
Confidentiality 10 minutes
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) 10 minutes
Legal Ramifications for HIPAA Violations 10 minutes

1 assignment Total 30 minutes

Module 2 Quiz 30 minutes

Working with the Elderly

What's included

27 readings1 assignment

27 readings Total 270 minutes

Introduction 10 minutes
Aging and the Individual 10 minutes
Social Factors & Aging 10 minutes
Observing & Reporting Changes 10 minutes
Confidentiality 10 minutes
Attitudes Toward Aging 10 minutes
Myths of Aging 10 minutes
Introduction 10 minutes
Immune System 10 minutes
Respiratory System 10 minutes
Cardiovascular System 10 minutes
Integumentary (Skin) System 10 minutes
Musculoskeletal System 10 minutes
Range of Motion Movements 10 minutes
Sensory System 10 minutes
Digestive System 10 minutes
Urinary System 10 minutes
Endocrine System 10 minutes
Neurological System 10 minutes
Female Reproductive System 10 minutes
Male Reproductive System 10 minutes
Introduction to Aging & the Mind 10 minutes
Working with Patients Who Have Had a Stroke 10 minutes
Working with Patients with Alzheimer's Disease 10 minutes
Working with Patients with Parkinson's Disease 10 minutes
Introduction to Stress 10 minutes
How to Help a Patient Effectively Manage Stress 10 minutes

1 assignment Total 30 minutes

Module 3 Quiz 30 minutes

Working with Children

What's included

31 readings1 assignment

31 readings Total 310 minutes

Introduction to Working with Children 10 minutes
Why Children May Need Home Care - Part 1 10 minutes
Why Children May Need Home Care - Part 2 10 minutes
Why Children May Need Home Care - Part 3 10 minutes
Introduction to Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs Applied to Children 10 minutes
Physical Needs 10 minutes
Safety and Security Needs 10 minutes
Need for Love and Belonging 10 minutes
Need for Self-Esteem 10 minutes
Need for Self-Actualization 10 minutes
Introduction to Child Growth and Development 10 minutes
Sensorimotor Stage (birth to 2 years) 10 minutes
Preoperational Stage (2 to 7 years) 10 minutes
Concrete Operational Stage (7 to 11 years) 10 minutes
Formal Operational Stage (11 years to adulthood) 10 minutes
Infancy: Birth to 12 months 10 minutes
Toddler: 1-3 years 10 minutes
Preschool: 3-6 years 10 minutes
School Age: 6-11 or 12 years 10 minutes
Adolescent: 11 years to 19 years 10 minutes
Types of Families 10 minutes
Guidelines for Communicating with Children about Divorce 10 minutes
Styles of Parenting 10 minutes
Socioeconomic Status 10 minutes
Domestic Violence 10 minutes
Special Issues of Families: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Issues 10 minutes
Signs of Substance Abuse 10 minutes
Signs of Mental Illness 10 minutes
Stress 10 minutes
How to Help Children Cope with Stress 10 minutes
Working Effectively to Strengthen Families 10 minutes

1 assignment Total 30 minutes

Module 4 Quiz 30 minutes

Working with People Who Are Mentally Ill

What's included

18 readings1 assignment

18 readings Total 180 minutes

Introduction 10 minutes
What is Mental Health? 10 minutes
Positive Coping Skills 10 minutes
Negative Coping Skills 10 minutes
Defense Mechanisms 10 minutes
Unhealthy Coping Behaviors 10 minutes
What is Mental Illness? 10 minutes
Physical Factors 10 minutes
Environmental Factors 10 minutes
Genetic Factors 10 minutes
Stress Factors 10 minutes
Anxiety 10 minutes
Depression 10 minutes
Schizophrenia 10 minutes
Treating Mental Illness 10 minutes
Guidelines for Observing Behavior 10 minutes
Role of the HHA/PHA with Mentally Ill Patients and their Families 10 minutes
Maintain Safety 10 minutes

1 assignment Total 30 minutes

Module 5 Quiz 30 minutes

Working with People with Developmental Disabilities

What's included

30 readings1 assignment

30 readings Total 300 minutes

Introduction 10 minutes
What is a Developmental Disability? 10 minutes
How Does Having a Developmental Disability Affect Normal Development? 10 minutes
Self-Care & Movement 10 minutes
Financial Independence & Self-direction 10 minutes
Communication & Social Situations 10 minutes
Coping 10 minutes
Types of Developmental Disabilities 10 minutes
Intellectual Disabilities 10 minutes
Cerebral Palsy 10 minutes
Autism 10 minutes
Neurologic Impairment 10 minutes
Multiple Disabilities 10 minutes
Effects of Developmental Disabilities on Growth and Development 10 minutes
Causes of Developmental Disabilities 10 minutes
How is a Developmental Disability Different from Mental Illness? 10 minutes
Developmental Disabilities at Home 10 minutes
Caring for a Child with a Developmental Disability 10 minutes
Caring for an Adult with a Developmental Disability 10 minutes
Expectations and Attitudes 10 minutes
Address the Person, Not the Disability 10 minutes
Focus on Independence, Productivity, and Integration 10 minutes
Promote Self-Determination and Community Participation 10 minutes
Care Needs 10 minutes
Physical Needs 10 minutes
Safety and Security Needs 10 minutes
Love and Belonging Needs 10 minutes
Self-Esteem and Self-Actualization Needs 10 minutes
Role of the Home Health Aide/Personal Care Aide 10 minutes
Performance Standards 10 minutes

1 assignment Total 30 minutes

Module 6 Quiz 30 minutes

Working with People with Physical Disabilities

What's included

12 readings1 assignment

12 readings Total 120 minutes

Introduction 10 minutes
What is a Physical Disability? 10 minutes
Causes of Physical Disabilities 10 minutes
Permanent versus Temporary Disabilities 10 minutes
Unique Attributes of Physical Disabilities 10 minutes
Impact of a Physical Disability on Quality of Life 10 minutes
Promoting Self-care and Independence 10 minutes
Maintenance of Dignity and Self-Worth 10 minutes
Preservation of Normal Life Style 10 minutes
Role of the Home Health Aide/Personal Care Aide 10 minutes
Social, Cultural and Environmental Influences in Caring for People with Disabilities 10 minutes
Situations in Which People with Physical Disabilities May Require Home Care 10 minutes

1 assignment Total 30 minutes

Module 7 Quiz 30 minutes

What's included

1 video50 readings1 assignment

1 video Total 2 minutes

VIDEO - Food Preparation & Blender Use 2 minutes

50 readings Total 500 minutes

Introduction 10 minutes
The Major Nutrients 10 minutes
Protein 10 minutes
Carbohydrates 10 minutes
Fats 10 minutes
Vitamins 10 minutes
Minerals 10 minutes
Water 10 minutes
Nutrients Work Together 10 minutes
Well-balanced Diet 10 minutes
Milk Group 10 minutes
Protein Foods Group 10 minutes
Fruit Group 10 minutes
Vegetable Group 10 minutes
Grain Group 10 minutes
Oils 10 minutes
Using ChooseMyPlate in Meal Planning 10 minutes
Dietary Guidelines 10 minutes
Cost of Food 10 minutes
Food Preparation 10 minutes
Patient Involvement 10 minutes
Available Cooking Equipment 10 minutes
Serve Quality Food 10 minutes
Serving Meals 10 minutes
Food Appearance, Texture, and Portion Size 10 minutes
How to Save on Food Costs 10 minutes
Food Storage 10 minutes
Safe Food Handling 10 minutes
Safe Microwave Defrosting and Cooking 10 minutes
Safe Cooking Temperatures 10 minutes
Food Money Procedures 10 minutes
Being Specific When it Comes to the Diet 10 minutes
The Meaning of "High" and "Low" Diet Orders 10 minutes
Decreasing the Intake of Certain Foods 10 minutes
Increasing the Intake of Certain Foods 10 minutes
Types of Modified Diets 10 minutes
Low Sodium/Low Salt Diets 10 minutes
Fluid-Restricted Diets 10 minutes
High and Low Potassium Diets 10 minutes
Low Fat/Low Cholesterol Diets 10 minutes
Bland Diets 10 minutes
Gluten-Free Diet 10 minutes
Vegetarian Diet 10 minutes
Liquid Diets 10 minutes
Soft Diets 10 minutes
Mechanically Altered Diets 10 minutes
Mechanical Soft Diet 10 minutes
Pureed Diet 10 minutes
Provide Nutritious and Attractive Mechanically Altered Food 10 minutes
Follow Safe Food Preparation and Storage Guidelines 10 minutes

1 assignment Total 30 minutes

Module 8 Quiz 30 minutes

What's included

12 readings1 assignment

12 readings Total 120 minutes

Introduction 10 minutes
The Role of the Home Health Aide/Personal Care Aide in Family Spending & Budgeting 10 minutes
Income 10 minutes
Debt & Stress 10 minutes
Daily Expense Tracker 10 minutes
Planning a Budget 10 minutes
Determining Expenses 10 minutes
Determining Income 10 minutes
Introduction 10 minutes
How to Save on Grocery Costs 10 minutes
How to Save on Household Costs 10 minutes
How to Save on Energy Costs 10 minutes

1 assignment Total 30 minutes

Module 9 Quiz 30 minutes

What's included

2 videos17 readings1 assignment

2 videos Total 2 minutes

VIDEO - Household Cleaning Supplies 1 minute
VIDEO - Vacuuming 1 minute

17 readings Total 170 minutes

Introduction 10 minutes
Introduction 10 minutes
Introduction 10 minutes
Introduction 10 minutes
Time Management 10 minutes
The ABC Method 10 minutes
The 1-10 Method 10 minutes
Tips for Efficient Use of Time 10 minutes
Infection Control 10 minutes
Basic Supplies and Equipment Needed 10 minutes
Safety Tips for Home Health Aides/Personal Care Aides Using Equipment and Supplies 10 minutes
Kitchen Cleaning Tasks 10 minutes
Bathroom Cleaning Tasks 10 minutes
Living Room Cleaning Tasks 10 minutes
Bedroom Cleaning Tasks 10 minutes
Washing Floors 10 minutes
Laundry 10 minutes

1 assignment Total 30 minutes

Module 10 Quiz 30 minutes

What's included

27 readings1 assignment

27 readings Total 270 minutes

Introduction 10 minutes
Introduction 10 minutes
Falls 10 minutes
Burns 10 minutes
Cuts 10 minutes
Poisoning 10 minutes
Choking 10 minutes
Contributing Factors to Injuries 10 minutes
Where Household Injuries Commonly Occur 10 minutes
Role of the Home Care Worker in Injury Prevention 10 minutes
Fire Safety 10 minutes
Personal Safety 10 minutes
Pets 10 minutes
Transportation Safety 10 minutes
Introduction 10 minutes
First Aid Techniques for Falls 10 minutes
First Aid Techniques for Bruises 10 minutes
First Aid Techniques for Cuts and Scrapes 10 minutes
First Aid Techniques for Dizziness/Fainting 10 minutes
First Aid Techniques for Burns 10 minutes
First Aid Techniques for Choking 10 minutes
First Aid Techniques for Poisoning 10 minutes
What to do in Serious Medical Emergencies 10 minutes
Assessing the ABCs 10 minutes
Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack) 10 minutes
Seizures 10 minutes
Cerebrovascular Accident (Stroke) 10 minutes

1 assignment Total 30 minutes

Module 11 Quiz 30 minutes

What's included

28 videos72 readings1 assignment

28 videos Total 48 minutes

VIDEO - Hand Washing 2 minutes
VIDEO - Donning and Removing Gloves 1 minute
VIDEO - Bed Bath 6 minutes
VIDEO - Washing Hair in Bed 2 minutes
VIDEO - Assisting with Changing a Clean Dressing 2 minutes
VIDEO - Assisting with Mouth Hygiene 2 minutes
VIDEO - Denture Care 1 minute
VIDEO - Mouth Care for the Unconscious Patient 1 minute
VIDEO - Applying Elastic Compression Stockings 1 minute
VIDEO - Shaving a Patient 2 minutes
VIDEO - Changing a Bedpan 3 minutes
VIDEO - Use of a Urinal 2 minutes
VIDEO - Applying a Condom Catheter 1 minute
VIDEO - Cleaning Catheter Tubing 2 minutes
VIDEO - Applying an Incontinence Product 1 minute
VIDEO - Measuring Output 2 minutes
VIDEO - Measuring Intake 1 minute
VIDEO - Assisting with Eating 2 minutes
VIDEO - Proper Body Mechanics 2 minutes
VIDEO - Turning the Patient in Bed 2 minutes
VIDEO - Positioning a Patient on Their Side 1 minute
VIDEO - Lifting a Patient in Bed 1 minute
VIDEO - Transfer to a Wheelchair 1 minute
VIDEO - Transfer from a Wheelchair to the Shower 1 minute
VIDEO - Making an Occupied Bed 4 minutes
VIDEO - Picking up the Infant 1 minute
VIDEO - Feeding an Infant 1 minute
VIDEO - Bathing an Infant 2 minutes

72 readings Total 720 minutes

Introduction 10 minutes
Introduction to Infection Control 10 minutes
Procedure - Handwashing 10 minutes
Use of Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizer 10 minutes
Procedure - Donning & Removing Gloves 10 minutes
Introduction to Bathing, Back Rubs & Assisting with a Clean Dressing 10 minutes
Procedure - Tub or Shower Bath 10 minutes
Procedure - Bed Bath 10 minutes
Procedure - Shampoo in Bed 10 minutes
Procedure - Back Rub 10 minutes
Procedure - Assisting with Changing a Clean (Non-sterile) Dressing 10 minutes
Introduction to Mouth Hygiene 10 minutes
Procedure - Patients Who Can Brush Their Own Teeth or Need Some Assistance 10 minutes
Procedure - Patients Who are Unable to Perform Mouth Hygiene Independently, such as an Unconscious Patient 10 minutes
Procedure - Denture Care 10 minutes
Procedure - Flossing 10 minutes
Introduction to Dressing and Grooming 10 minutes
Procedure - Assisting with Dressing 10 minutes
Procedure - Assisting with Dressing for Patients Who are Weak, Frail, or Paralyzed 10 minutes
Procedure - Assisting with the use of Elastic Support Stockings 10 minutes
Nail Care 10 minutes
Procedure - Hand Care 10 minutes
Procedure - Foot Care 10 minutes
Procedure - Shaving the Patient 10 minutes
Introduction to Assisting with Elimination 10 minutes
Procedure - Use of a Bed Pan 10 minutes
Procedure - Use of a Urinal 10 minutes
Procedure - Assisting with the Use of a Condom Catheter 10 minutes
Procedure - Assisting with Cleaning the Skin and Catheter Tubing 10 minutes
Procedure - Assisting with Emptying of the Urinary Drainage Bag 10 minutes
Procedure - Measuring Urinary Output 10 minutes
Introduction to Assisting with Eating 10 minutes
Procedure - Assisting with Eating 10 minutes
Procedure - Measuring Intake 10 minutes
Procedure: Proper Body Mechanics 10 minutes
Procedure: Standing 10 minutes
Procedure: Lifting 10 minutes
Procedure: Using Proper Working Height 10 minutes
Overview: Turning and Positioning the Patient 10 minutes
Procedure: Turning the Patient in Bed 10 minutes
Procedure: Positioning the Patient 10 minutes
Overview: Assisting Patients to Transfer to and from Different Positions 10 minutes
Procedure: Transfer to the Sitting Position in Bed 10 minutes
Procedure: Helping the Patient to Sit at the Side of the Bed 10 minutes
Procedure: Helping a Patient to Stand 10 minutes
Procedure: Helping the Patient to Ambulate (Walk) 10 minutes
Procedure: Transfer to a Wheelchair, Chair, or Commode 10 minutes
Procedure: Positioning Patient in Chair or Wheelchair 10 minutes
Procedure: Transfer from Wheelchair to Toilet 10 minutes
Procedure: Transfer from Wheelchair to Shower and Assisting with Shower 10 minutes
Procedure: Transfer from Wheelchair to Stool or Chair in Tub 10 minutes
Introduction to The Patient's Environment 10 minutes
Procedure: Making an Unoccupied Bed 10 minutes
Procedure: Making an Occupied Bed 10 minutes
Introduction to Special Equipment used by Home Care Patients 10 minutes
Procedure: Weighing a Patient 10 minutes
Procedure: Assisting with the Use of a Hydraulic Lift 10 minutes
Procedure: Slide Board Transfer 10 minutes
Procedure: Handling the Infant 10 minutes
Procedure: Picking up the Infant 10 minutes
Positioning the Infant for Feeding & Feeding the Infant 10 minutes
Burping a Baby 10 minutes
Changing a Diaper 10 minutes
Documenting the Baby's Intake and Output 10 minutes
Procedure: Infant Bath 10 minutes
Introduction to Assisting with Self-administration of Medication 10 minutes
Procedure: Checking the Right Person (Patient) 10 minutes
Procedure: Checking the Right Medication 10 minutes
Procedure: Checking the Right Dose 10 minutes
Procedure: Checking the Right Time 10 minutes
Procedure: Checking the Right Route 10 minutes
End of Course Survey 10 minutes

1 assignment Total 30 minutes

Module 12 Quiz 30 minutes

Instructors

Instructor ratings

(299 ratings)

Erin O'Hara-Leslie

The State University of New York

1 Course 32,600 learners

Andrea C. Wade, Ph.D.

The State University of New York

1 Course 32,600 learners

Kimberly B. McLain, Ph.D.

The State University of New York

1 Course 32,600 learners

Offered by

The State University of New York

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Reviewed on Mar 28, 2020

Amazing course I have learned so much in these 13 weeks. I wold highly recommend this course to anyone looking to earn a degree or just get a good education in this field.

Reviewed on Aug 12, 2023

THIS COURSE WAS VERY INFORMATIVE IN EVERY WAYS THE LECTURE TOOK TIME TO MAKE THE VIDEO N READING MATERIAL TO THE POINT, I HAVE GAINED A WORLD OF KNOWLEDGE TO SHARE AND ALSO PARTICE.

Reviewed on Feb 26, 2025

This course should be upgraded to "Advanced Diploma in Care Giver" because it is comprehensive, well detailed and insightful. It can make any learner to become a competent care giver.

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