"The Home Care Assistant Guide "-- a Handbook for Helping & Understanding Seniors -- is a compilation of information designed to assist caregivers and home care service providers in the delivery of quality care to seniors by understanding their needs and challenges and by recognizing and reacting to their various tribulations and personalities.



The guide is a virtual "tool kit" filled with the knowledge, skills, procedures, tips and techniques needed to provide effective home care services. As such, it is as important to Home Care Assistants as hammers and saws are to carpenters. It provides suggestions on how Home Care Assistants can help seniors in stressful situations by ensuring they are acting and reacting in a manner, which is appropriate and beneficial to the senior and the circumstance.

Caregivers and Home Care Assistants, who are new to the profession, will find this guide to be informative and interesting. Experienced Caregivers and Home Care Assistants will also benefit because, first of all, it will serve as a refresher course; and, secondly, it should substantially expand their knowledge and give them a clearer understanding of what is happening, why it is happening and how it might be handled.

The guide is also invaluable to owners of Home Care Businesses, whether they *are self employed or have staff, as it can be used:
*as a reference manual for staff;
*for staff training and development; and,
*for developing policies and procedures.

This guide will improve the efficiency of Home Care Assistants, which, in turn, will enhance the credibility and profile of the Home Care Business Owner.

It is comprised of eleven sections, which collectively address:
* Common Health Problems in Seniors
* Confusion and Dementias in Seniors
* The Senior Client (aging and needs)
* Communicating With Seniors
* Working With Seniors Who Have Disabilities
* Caring for Terminally Ill Seniors
* Working With Difficult Seniors
* Providing Personal Care to Seniors
* Meeting the Nutritional Needs of Seniors
* Health and Safety
* Basics of Emergency Care


Table Of Contents

SECTION ONE - THE SENIOR CLIENT *

Impacts of Aging *
Biological Aging *
Social Aging *
Psychological Aging *
Outward Signs of Aging *
Aging Effects on Body Systems *
Sensory Changes Associated With Aging *
Cognitive Changes Associated With Aging *
Personality Changes Associated With Aging *
Basic Needs of Seniors *
Physiological Needs *
Safety Needs *
Need for Love, Affection and Belonging *
Need for Esteem *
Need for Self-Actualization *
Factors Affecting Seniors’ Mental Health *
Insufficient or Inadequate Socialization *
How Home Care Assistants Can Assist A Client Who Is Socially Isolated *
How Home Care Assistants Can Assist A Client Who Is Functionally Declining *
Substance Abuse *
Actions Home Care Assistant Should Take If Substance Is Suspected *
Changes in Circumstances *
How Home Care Assistants Can Assist Clients During Changes In Life Situations *
Monetary Issues *
How Home Care Assistants Can Support Clients Who Have Financial Insecurities *
Depression *
How Home Care Assistants Can Support Depressed Clients *
Summary *

SECTION TWO - COMMON HEALTH PROBLEMS IN SENIORS *

Chronic Diseases *
Arthritis *
Osteoarthritis *
Rheumatoid Arthritis *
How Home Care Assistants Can Help Clients With Arthritis *
Osteoporosis *
How Home Care Assistants Can Help Clients With Osteoporosis *
Stroke *
Parkinson’s Disease *
How Home Care Assistants Can Help Clients With Parkinson’s Disease *
Diabetes *
Things Home Care Assistants Should Know About Diabetic Emergencies *
Cardiovascular Diseases *
How Home Care Assistants Can Help Seniors With Cardiovascular Disease *
Signs and Symptoms of a Heart Attack *
Anemia *
How Home Care Assistants Can Help Clients, Who Are Anemic *
Respiratory Conditions *
Pneumonia *
How Home Care Assistants Can Help Seniors Avoid Pneumonia *
Things a Home Care Assistant Should Know When Working Around Oxygen *
Paralysis *
How Home Care Assistants Can Help Seniors With Paralysis *
Cancer *
How Home Care Assistants Should Interact With Clients Who Are Battling Cancer *
Eye Problems *
How Home Care Assistants Can Help Seniors With Vision Problems *
Ear Problems *
How Home Care Assistants Can Help Seniors With Hearing Problems *
Common Health Care Mistakes Made by Seniors *
Summary *

SECTION THREE - CONFUSION AND DEMENTIAS IN SENIORS *

Cognitive Powers *
Nervous System Changes Due to Aging *
Confusion *
Acute Confusion (Delirium) *
Chronic Confusion (Dementia) *
How Home Care Assistants Can Care for Confused Seniors *
Alzheimer’s Disease *
Behavioral Patterns Found in Alzheimer’s Disease *
Caring for Seniors With Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias *
Summary *

SECTION FOUR - COMMUNICATING WITH SENIORS *

The Value of Communication *
Communication Methods *
Communication Channels for Seniors *
Effective Verbal & Non-Verbal Communication *
Tips and Techniques for Effective Communication *
Tips and Techniques for Effective Listening *
Barriers to Effective Communication *
Communicating With Impaired Seniors *
Communicating With Seniors Who Are Visually Impaired *
Communicating With Seniors Who Are Hearing Impaired *
Communicating with Seniors Who Are Aphasic *
Communicating With Seniors With Dementias *
Communicating With Members of the Care Team *
Summary *

SECTION FIVE - WORKING WITH SENIORS WHO HAVE DISABILITIES *

Introduction *
Disability Categories *
Physical Disabilities *
Psychiatric Disabilities (Mental Illness) *
Intellectual (Learning) Disabilities *
Neurological Disabilities *
Sensory Disabilities *
Brain Injury Disabilities *
Acquired and Developmental Disabilities *
Etiquette For Interacting With People Who Have Disabilities *
How to Address or Describe People with Disabilities *
Summary *

SECTION SIX - CARING FOR TERMINALLY ILL SENIORS *

Terminal Illness *
The Positive Side of Terminal Illness *
The Process of Dying *
The Dying Person’s Rights *
Things A Person Should Consider When Facing A Terminal Illness *
Living Wills *
Durable Power of Attorney *
Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Orders *
Hospice Care *
Funeral and Disposal of Remains *
Needs of People Who Have A Terminal Illness *
How Home Care Assistants Can Help Clients With A Terminal Illness *
Physical Needs of People Who Have a Terminal Illness *
Psychological Needs of People Who Have a Terminal Illness *
How Home Care Assistants Can Help Dying People Meet Their Psychological Needs *
Social Needs of People Who Have a Terminal Illness *
How Home Care Assistants Can Help Dying People Meet Their Socialization Needs *
Spiritual Needs of People Who Have a Terminal Illness *
How Home Care Assistants Can Help The Terminally Ill Handle Their Spiritual Needs *
Challenges that People With a Terminal Illness Face *
Grief Issues that People With a Terminal Illness Face *
How Home Care Assistants Can Help The Terminally Ill Cope With Grief *
Loneliness Issues that People With a Terminal Illness Face *
How Home Care Assistants Can Help The Terminally Ill Cope With Loneliness *
Anxiety Issues that People With a Terminal Illness Face *
How Home Care Assistants Can Help The Terminally Ill Cope With Anxiety *
Depression Issues that People With a Terminal Illness Face *
How Home Care Assistants Can Help The Terminally Ill Cope With Depression *
Anger Issues that People With a Terminal Illness Face *
How Home Care Assistants Can Help The Terminally Ill Cope With Anger *
Dealing With The Family of Terminally Ill People *
How Home Care Assistants Can Help The Families Of The Terminally Ill *
Signs that Death is Near *
Summary *

SECTION SEVEN - WORKING WITH DIFFICULT SENIORS *

Difficult Clients *
Behavioral Patterns Displayed by Difficult Clients *
Identifying and Dealing with Difficult Personalities *
Tips for Handling Difficult Clients *
Complaints *
Tips for Dealing With Complaining Clients *
Steps To Take When Dealing With Complaining Clients *
Example of How to Handle a Client’s Complaint *
Anger *
Tips for Dealing With Angry Clients *
Conflict *
Constructive and Destructive Aspects of Conflict *
Tips and Techniques For Dealing With Conflict *
Aggression *
Tips for Dealing With Aggressive Clients *
Violence *
Tips for Defusing Violence in Clients *
Negativity *
Tips for Dealing with Negative Attitudes *
Negotiations *
Steps to Take When Negotiating With Clients *
Summary *

SECTION EIGHT - PROVIDING PERSONAL CARE TO SENIORS *

The Meaning of Personal Care *
Skills Required By A Personal Care Assistant *
Grooming *
Hair Care *
Common Hair Conditions *
Shaving *
Tips and Techniques for Shaving *
Oral Hygiene *
The Basics for Brushing Teeth *
The Basics for Denture Care *
Bathing *
Guidelines for Bathing *
Skin Care *
Skin Tears *
Pressure Sores *
Nail Care *
Tips for Nail Care *
Dressing and Undressing *
Dressing Techniques *
Turning *
Transferring *
Pivot Transfers *
How to Do a Pivot Transfer *
Techniques for "One-Person" Transfers *
Body Mechanics *
Techniques For Practicing Good Body Mechanics *
Range of Motion Exercises *
Key Points About Range of Motion Exercises *
Walking *
The Falling Client *
Urinary System Care *
Common Causes of Urinary Incontinence *
Treatment of Urinary Incontinence *
Bowel Care *
Common Bowel Problems *
Treatments for Common Bowel Problems *
Caring for the Incontinent Client *
Devices Used For Elimination and Incontinence *
Eating/Feeding *
Tips for Safe Feeding *
Tips for Encouraging Self Care *
Vital Signs *
Things a Personal Care Assistant Must Never Do *
Equipment and Supplies Recommended for Personal Care Assistants *
Summary *

SECTION NINE - MEETING THE NUTRITIONAL NEEDS OF SENIORS *

Nutrition *
Dietary Guidelines *
Food Guide Pyramid *
Food Servings *
Omnivorous Diet *
Carnivorous Diet *
Vegetarian Diet *
Raw Food Diet *
Special Diets *
Nutritional Needs of Seniors *
Impacts of Aging on the Nutritional Health of Seniors *
Warning Signs That Seniors Are Not Getting Proper Nutrition *
Reasons Why Seniors Might Not Be Getting Proper Nutrition *
Factors Contributing to Poor Nutrition in Seniors *
Dehydration *
Signs And Symptoms Of Dehydration *
Dysphagia *
Signs and Symptoms of Dysphagia in Seniors *
Tips for Getting Seniors to Eat Properly *
Factors Which Influence Nutrition in Seniors *
Examples of Cultural Food Choices *
Summary *

SECTION TEN - HEALTH AND SAFETY *

Precautions to Take for Personal Safety *
Assessing the Home Environment for Hazards *
Safety Precautions and Minimizing Risks to the Senior Client *
How Home Care Assistants Can Assist Seniors To Minimize Safety Risks *
Falls and Fractures *
Causes and Preventions of Falls *
Infectious Diseases *
How Home Care Assistants Can Offset the Spread of Infectious Diseases *
Injuries *
How Home Care Assistants Can Protect Themselves from Injury *
Wellness *
Stresses Home Care Assistants Face *
How Home Care Assistants Can Promote Wellness *
Emergency Preparedness *
Things That Can Be Done Before A Fire Erupts *
What To Do In The Event Of A House Fire *
Flood *
What to Do When a Flood Warning is Issued *
What to Do During a Flood *
Safety Practices to Follow During a Flood *
Earthquake *
What To Do During An Earthquake *
What To Do After an Earthquake *
Hurricane *
What To Do If A Hurricane Warning is Issued *
Tornado *
What to Do During a Tornado *
Power Outages *
Electrocution *
Summary *

SECTION ELEVEN - BASICS OF EMERGENCY CARE *

Objectives of Emergency Care *
General Rules of Emergency Care *
The ABCs of Assessing a Person’s Condition *
Breathing Emergencies *
Artificial Respiration *
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) *
Emergency Care for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation *
Choking *
Emergency Care for Choking *
Hemorrhage *
Emergency Care for Hemorrhaging *
Heart Attack *
Emergency Care for Heart Attacks *
Stroke *
Emergency Care for Strokes *
The Recovery Position *
Burns *
Emergency Care for Burns *
Things Not To Do When Providing Care For Burns *
Electrocution *
Emergency Care for Electrocution *
Fainting *
Emergency Care for Fainting *
Shock *
Emergency Care for Shock *
Diabetic Emergencies *
Emergency Care for Diabetic Conditions *
Seizures *
Emergency Care for Major Seizures *
Heat Exposure *
Emergency Care for Heat Exhaustion *
Emergency Care for Heat Stroke *
Cold Exposure *
Emergency Care for Cold Exposure *
Asthma *
Emergency Care for Severe Asthma Attack *
Common Psychological Conditions *
Emergency Care for Common Psychological Conditions *
Summary *