The Caregiver Training Curriculum

INTRODUCTION

The Caregiver Training Program Curriculum was designed to provide a guide for instructor and
learners on the competencies needed by caregiver caring for clients in comfort of his home .

Grading for each unit follows:

 Minimum of 85 % on all written and oral quizzes/tests

CAREGIVER PROGRAM AGENDA WILL COVERS THE FOLLOWING

i. Unit 1: The role and responsibility of the caregiver.

ii. Unit 2: Communication and Interpersonal Relationships.
iii. Unit 3: Safety
A. Infection Control
B. Occupational Health and Safety
C. Fire and Safety
D. Manual Handling and Ergonomics
E. Preventing Injuries
F. Managing Challenging Behaviors
iv. Unit 4: Bed Making and Environmental Comfort
v. Unit 5: Personal Care Procedures
A. Skin Care
B. Oral Hygiene
C. Bathing Procedures
D. Dressing and Undressing
E. Shaving
F. Nail and Hair Care
vi. Unit 6: Nutritional Requirement
vii. Unit 7: Exercise and Activity
viii. Unit 8: Elimination Procedures
A. Urinary Bladder Elimination
B. Bowel Elimination

PROGRAM DURATION .
The curriculum is divided into 8 units, which include objectives and suggested content.

The program has a total of 50 hours for theoretical, practical and 15 hours for competency assessment
and written exam.

Agenda Units Duration

Day 1  Unit 1-3 (8hours)
Day 2  Continuation of Unit 3-4 (8 hours)
Day 3  Continuation of Unit 4-5 (10 hours)
Day 4  Unit 6 (8 hours)
Day 5  Unit 7 (8 hours)
Day 6  Unit 8 (8 hours)

NOTE: DEMONSTRATION AND RETURN DEMONSTRATION OF MANUAL

SKILLS RELATED TO EVERY UNIT ARE REQUIRED

Unit 1: The Role and Responsibilities of Caregiver Behavioral Objectives:

The caregiver will be able to:

1. Describe the importance of the caregiver to the health care team.

2. List responsibilities the caregiver has to the client, employer and self.

3. Give chain of command in the supervision of the caregiver.

4. Identify the scope of practice for the caregiver.

5. Describe the appropriate response when asked to do tasks which are outside this
scope.
6. Discuss legal issues related to caregiver practice, including liability, negligence, tort
laws and incident reporting.
7. Describe the ethical behavior of a caregiver.
8. Describe patients’ rights and how to promote a patient’s quality of life.
9. Explain what is meant by elder abuse and the signs of elder abuse.
10. Explain how to report if elder abuse is suspected
11. Explain caregiver’s role and responsibility as mandated reporters of elder abuse.

Unit 2: Communication and Interpersonal Relationships Behavioral Objectives:

The caregiver will be able to:

1. Describe elements in the communication process (sender, receiver, message,

transmitting device, feedback).
2. Describe barriers to successful communication.
 3. Describe how observed interpretation of non-verbal behavior may improve or
Communication with others.
4. Describe Maslow’s 5 basic needs for survival.
5. Describe the caregiver’s legal and ethical responsibilities.
6. Describe objective and subjective symptoms.
7. Cope/deal effectively with clients

Unit 3: Safety and Infection Control Behavioral Objectives: The caregiver will be able
to:
1. List rules of general safety.
2. List rules of fire and disaster safety.
3. Demonstrate the principles of body mechanics.
4. Explain the purpose of restraints and the safety rules for use.
5. Explain the Standard Precaution techniques, isolation precautions and their effects on
the client.
6. Explain how to report if elder abuse is suspected.
7. Explain caregiver’s role and responsibility as mandated reporters of elder abuse.

Home Safety

Illness and disability increase the risk of accidents in the home. Illness can affect a person’s
balance, general strength, sensation or judgment, putting him at greater risk of falls and other
potentially dangerous actions.
Unfortunately, we often wait until an accident happens before we make changes. Act now to
provide a safer home. The steps you take to improve safety at home will reduce the chance of
serious injury and give you greater peace of mind.

Prevent fall
 Remove clutter from halls and stairs.
 Remove throw rugs that aren’t securely held down.
 Keep floors dry and in good repair.
 Use nightlights in bedrooms, bathrooms and hallways.
 Avoid slippers or other loose-fitting shoes for the person who is unsteady on his feet.

Bathroom Safety
 Use non-slip mats in the tub or shower.
  Install grab bars (available at medical supply stores and some pharmacies.) Sinks and towel
racks can easily be pulled off the walls.
 Keep the bathroom floor dry.
 Lower the water temperature

Fire Safety
 If the person smokes, be particularly aware of safety. Anyone who smokes in bed or who has
cognitive or physical losses should have careful supervision.
 Install smoke detectors, especially near bedrooms. Check them once each month to be sure
they still work.
 Fire departments recommend you change batteries in smoke detectors twice a year. Do it
when you change your clocks for daylight savings.
 Keep fire extinguishers in easy-to-reach places, especially in kitchens and basements. Have
them checked regularly.
 Check electrical cords for damage. Don’t overload extension cords.
 Have an escape plan for everyone in the house. Make sure everyone knows what it is; have a
practice escape twice each year.
 Never allow smoking around oxygen.

Unit 4: Bed Making Behavioral Objectives: The caregiver will be able to

1. To make beds correctly for better home rest and comfort.

2. Identify characteristics of a well-made bed.
3. Identify individual pieces of linen used in making hospital and home beds.
4. Identify and correctly make the different types of bed (close bed, open bed, and occupied
bed).

Unit 5: Personal Care Procedures Behavioral Objectives: The caregiver will be able to
Perform

1. Skin Care:
 Describe common skin injuries
 Describe skin problems resulting from immobility.
 Describe the purpose of the skin.
 Discuss age-related skin changes.

Preventing Pressure Sores

Preventing pressure sores is important as they can be very painful and are difficult and expensive to
treat. Preventing pressure sores can be as easy as helping your care recipient to change positions
frequently, eat a well-balanced diet, keep his or her skin free of moisture, and maintain clean and dry
skin.

 Help reposition the care recipient every 2 hours

 Encourage your loved one to sit up or in a chair for a few hours
 Monitor your loved one for early signs of pressure sores
 Keep bed linens dry and wrinkle free
 Place pillows or padding under your loved one’s head, shoulder blades, elbows,
sacrum (tailbone), hips, knees, ankles, and heels

2. Oral Hygiene
 Identify frequency and benefits of oral hygiene.
 Describe safety procedures to use when providing oral care.
 Describe brushing of teeth and denture care.
 Explain the importance of examination of the oral cavity.
 Explain the importance of oral hygiene in unconscious clients.
 Discuss disorders that indicate the need for frequent oral hygiene.
 Describe the procedure for oral hygiene of the unconscious client

3. Bathing Procedures
 Identify bathing methods.
 Discuss benefits of bathing.
 Identify safety measures used during bathing.
 Describe complete bed bath, tub bath, partial bath and shower.
4. Dressing and Undressing
 Explain the importance of grooming and dressing properly.
 Describe how to dress and undress a person with an affected arm and/or leg.
 Describe how to apply elastic stockings.
 Identify various types of clothing which could be used for a client who has difficulty
Dressing and undressing due to disabilities affecting their mobility.
 Identify assistive (self-help) devices which help disabled clients to dress and undress.
5. Shaving
 Explain why shaving is important.
  Identify measures that are practiced when shaving a client.
 Describe care of mustaches and beards

6. Nail and Hair Care

 Explain the importance of nail and hair care to the client.
 State situations when the caregiver would not be permitted to trim a client’s nails.
 Describe nail and hair care.
 Describe shampooing hair for a bedfast client.

Unit 6: Nutrition and Elimination Behavioral Objectives: The caregiver will be able to

 Describe the food guide pyramid.

 State symptoms of dehydration.
 Describe the various special diets that may be ordered for patients and give an
example of a diagnosis that may require each of these diets.
 List dietary practices which are significant to various religious or ethnic groups.
 Describe feeding of the client who requires assistance.
 Discuss thickened liquids for the client with swallowing difficulties.
 Discuss observations of the patient receiving tube feedings.
 Describe assistive devices available to assist patients in eating meals.

Unit 7: Exercise and Activity Behavioral Objectives: The caregiver will be able to

1. Describe benefits of exercise and activity on each of the body systems.

2. Discuss complications that can occur when a person is confined to bed without exercise.

3. Describe basic range of motion (ROM).

4. Describe principles of safety as they relate to wheelchairs, beds, gurneys, transfers

with assistive devices, etc.

5. Describe ways of moving the client up in bed.

6. Describe transferring a client to a wheelchair or chair and the principles of wheelchair safety.

7. Describe transferring a patient to a gurney.

 8. Describe positioning clients in the following: supine, prone, side-lying (lateral),

9. Describe ambulating a client with or without the use of assistive devices.

10. Describe how to protect the client and yourself if client should begin to fall while ambulating.

11. Describe application and removal of established prostheses, immobilizers and braces.

Unit 8: A. Urinary Bladder Elimination Behavioral Objectives: The caregiver will be

able to

1. Describe and name major structures of the urinary system; briefly explain function
of urinary system.

2. Identify normal and abnormal characteristics of urine and usual amounts voided.

3. Identify observations which must be reported to the nurse.

4. Discuss use of bedpans, urinals and commodes.

5. Define urinary incontinence and discuss common reasons why people become
incontinent.

6. Describe nursing care required for the incontinent client.

7. Describe perineal care/peri care.

8. Explain the importance of fluids to the urinary system.

9. Describe the different types of catheters. Explain why they are a source of infection.

10. Identify types of urinary drainage bags and describe the application of each.

11. Describe the emptying of a catheter drainage bag and cleansing of tubing.

12. Describe catheter care for male and female.

13. Explain bladder retraining and the role and responsibility of the caregiver.

14. Demonstrate recording of output for incontinent clients.

15. Discuss straining urine.

16. Describe the purpose and process of performing a bladder scan

Unit 8: B. Bowel Elimination Behavioral Objectives: The caregiver will be able to

1. Describe and name the major structures of the digestive system. Explain the
function of the digestive system.

2. Identify the normal and abnormal characteristics of feces and which observations
must be reported to the nurses.

3. Identify factors that affect bowel elimination including fluids, fiber and exercise.
Also include factors that promote comfort and safety during defecation.

4. Describe bowel training and which nursing measures may help a client regain
normal bowel function.

5. Explain why the various types of enemas are given and describe the administration
of each.

6. Describe colostomy and ileostomy and the types of diseases or injuries necessitating
their creation.

7. Describe care of an established colostomy.

8. Describe digital stimulation and why it might be necessary.

Toileting and Incontinence

Bladder- and bowel-control problems can be embarrassing for you and your loved one. Here
are some suggestions to help deal with this difficult situation.
The person you’re caring for may need help using the toilet, or she may have lost control over
her bladder or bowel (incontinence.) You may be uncomfortable providing this kind of care.
This chapter gives suggestions that will help her maintain as much independence as possible
and make your job an easier one.
Incontinence is not a normal part of aging or most illnesses. If incontinence develops, it’s
very important to ask the physician for a complete evaluation. Many causes of incontinence
are treatable.

If The Person Needs Help Getting To the Bathroom

 Suggest going to the bathroom on a frequent, scheduled basis. Rushing after
the urge strikes will increase the chance of accidents. Every 2 hours is too
often for most people; start with every 3–4 hours.

 Make sure the hallway and bathroom are well-lighted.

 Remove throw rugs, which could trip someone.

 Install grab bars and/or use a raised toilet seat for more ease getting on and off
the toilet.
 Avoid Constipation

 Offer foods high in fibre such as fruits, nuts, beans, vegetables, bran and most
cereals. Add high fibre foods gradually if the person isn’t used to them.

 Make sure there is adequate liquid in the diet; 6–8 classes of liquid each day
are recommended (unless otherwise instructed by the physician).

 Encourage daily exercise to stimulate bowel activity.

Helpful Supplies
 Commodes are available to buy or rent if it’s too hard to get to the bathroom.
Commodes are especially helpful during the night.

 Bedpans and urinals may be needed if she can’t get out of bed. They can be
purchased at medical supply stores and larger drugstores.

 Disposable pads, briefs, and undergarments are an expensive but effective way
to protect clothing and bedding.

Competency Assessment List as below

Pages PROCEDURE CHECKLIST

1 Proper Hand washing
2 Proper Body Mechanics
3 Tub or Shower Bath
4 Turning the Client in Bed
5 Bed Bath
6 Shampoo in Bed
7 Back Rub
8 Nail Care
9 Shaving the Client
10 Mouth Hygiene and Care
11 Assisting with Eating
12 Assisting With Dressing
13 Assisting with the Use of Elastic Support Stockings
14 Helping the Client to Walk
15 Making an Unoccupied Bed
16 Making an Occupied Bed
17 Use of a Bedpan
18 Use of Urinal
19 Assisting with the Use of the Condom Catheter
20 Assisting with Cleaning the Skin and Catheter Tubing
21 Assisting with the Emptying of the Urinary Drainage Bag
22 Helping the Client to Sit at the Side of the Bed
23 Transfer to Wheelchair, Chair or Commode
24 Positioning Client in Chair or Wheelchair
25 Measuring Intake
26 Measuring Urinary Output
27 Assisting with the Use of the Hydraulic Lift
28 Electronic Documentation
29 Incident report
30 Assessment of environmental safety