Free Home Health Aide Course (1year Diploma Course)
Home Health Aide (HHA) is also known as Home Health Provider and Unlicensed Assistive Personnel (UAP).
Brief Job Description: -Provide routine individualised healthcare to the elderly, convalescents, or persons with disabilities at the patient’s home. Monitor or report changes in health status. Provide personal care such as bathing, dressing, and grooming of patient.
Personal Attributes:- This job requires the individual to work in collaboration with patient carers and other healthcare providers. The individual should be result oriented. The individual should also be able to demonstrate basic patient care skills, communication skills and ethical behaviour. The individual should be calm and patient while dealing with elderly person Home Health Aide Course.
Assist patient in bathing Home Health Aide Course:-
To be competent, the user/individual on the job must be able to:
PC1. Maintain the patient’s privacy and promote independence by encouraging the patient to do as much as possible
PC2. Identify the type of bath that is best suited as per the guidelines, based on the patient condition and comfort
PC3. Check water temperature before patient checks in
PC4. Follow standard precautions when performing perennial care or when bathing a patient with skin lesion and rashes
PC5. Dry patient’s skin by patting with a towel which decreases friction and prevents skin breakdown PC6. Never leave a patient unattended in bath room Home Health Aide Course
PC7. Wash from cleanest to dirtiest
PC8. Observe and report unusual findings to the nurse
PC9. Offer patient back rub after bathing as well as at bed time to stimulate blood circulation and release stress
PC10. Apply lotion to dry skin, if requested Home Health Aide Course.
PC11. Clean the tub, shower and chair before and after each use
PC12. Always check each patient’s skin after bathin
Assist patient in grooming Home Health Aide Course:-
To be competent, the user/individual on the job must be able to:
PC1. Make the patient comfortable and encourage eating as recommended
PC2. Check menu card to verify the diet, restrictions, likes and dislikes of the patient
PC3. Feed the patient through spoon Home Health Aide Course.
PC4. Assist in elimination and oral care prior to feeding Home Health Aide Course
PC5. Wash the patient’s hands and mouth after feeding
PC6. Measure input and record them
PC7. Observe and ensure that Home Health Aide Course
a. Elimination process is completed before feeding
b. Oral care and grooming is performed before feeding
c. The patient is comfortable when being fed
d. The food provided is according to the dietary prescription of the prescribing physician or dietician
PC8. Patient is not having symptoms of distress like coughing and regurgitation
Assist individual in dressing :-
To be competent, the user/individual on the job must be able to:
PC1. Promptly respond to patient’s elimination needs
PC2. Assist a mobile patient in moving to the toilet and provide support like giving toilet paper if required or stabilise the commode
PC3. Wipe the patient and wash hands to prevent infection
PC4. Use equipment correctly to prevent discomfort or injury Home Health Aide Course.
PC5. Maintain patient’s privacy at all times during the procedure
PC6. Record changes in colour or texture of the elimination and report usual findings immediately
Sport patients to eat and drink Home Health Aide Course:-To be competent, the user/individual on the job must:
PC1. Know all procedures required for infection control
PC2. Follow standard precautions
PC3. Be aware of rules to dispose of biomedical waste and sharps
PC4. Follow high level of personal hygiene
PC5. Practice medical asepsis Home Health Aide Course
PC6. Follow infection control procedures and should ensure that,
1 All standard precautions and procedures are followed
2 Protective gears are used while getting in contact with the patient
3 Consider all blood, body fluids and excreta contaminated
Assist individual in maintaining normal elimination Home Health Aide Course :-To be competent, the user/individual on the job must:
PC1. Introduce himself to the older person and their carers, and provide all the relevant information necessary to begin working with them
PC2. Ensure that the older person and their carers are made to feel comfortable, and that they understand that their needs are important and are being addressed Home Health Aide Course
PC3. Explain to the older person and their carers, his/her role and responsibilities in relation to their care, and outline the constraints that could limit involvement
PC4. Discuss with older person and their carers their own role and responsibilities for the care of the older person
PC5. Respond to any concerns that the older person and their carers might have about his/her ability to work with them
PC6. Encourage the older person and their carers to ask questions and to seek clarification on any issues
PC7. Attempt to establish a rapport with the older person and their carers that enables a good relationship
PC8. Respond sensitively to any issues raised by the older person and their carers Home Health Aide Course.
PC9. Respect the human rights of the older person and their carers
PC10. Provide clear information on how to contact the service to obtain assistance if required
PC11. Identify any communication differences that exist, and try to address these will influence communication methods
PC12. Discuss the purpose of communication with the older people and their carers, and identify their preferred ways of communicating
PC13. Confirm with the older people who they wish to be involved in the
Prevent and control infection in the home setting Home Health Aide Course:-To be competent, the user/individual on the job must:
PC1. Establish a supportive relationship with the older people, and agree with them the roles and responsibilities of their carers
PC2. Communicate with older people and their carers in an appropriate manner
PC3. Encourage the older people to seek clarification of any procedures, information and advice relevant to them
PC4. Obtain an informed consent of the older person for the actions undertaken on their behalf, and agree on the information which may be passed to others Home Health Aide Course.
PC5. Obtain information from the older person and their carers on the way in which the older person’s needs are being met
PC6. Identify any areas where support for the older person can be improved
PC7. Identify and prioritise actions required if the older person’s needs are not being appropriately addressed
PC8. Present any concerns that cannot be resolved in an appropriate way to appropriate people
PC9. Keep the older person and their carers informed about the progress in resolving any concerns, and anticipated timescales for any outcomes
PC10. Produce records and reports that are clear, comprehensive and accurate, and maintain the security and confidentiality of information.
PC11. Explore with the older person the nature of the changes to their health and well-being, and discuss with them and their carers about how they feel about these changes
PC12. Explain clearly to the older person and their carers, the reasons for the changes to their health and well-being and the consequences arising from them
PC13. Respond sensitively to any issues raised by the older person, and report any issues that cannot be resolved to the appropriate people
PC14. Ensure that all the relevant agencies are provided with the information they need to help the older person and their carers to cope with the change process Home Health Aide Course
PC15. Support the older person and their carers to monitor the assistance they are receiving to cope with the change, and identify any areas where this can be improved
PC16. Ensure that all the appropriate people are encouraged to provide feedback on how the older person and their carers are coping with change
PC17. Produce records and reports that are clear, comprehensive, and accurate, and maintain the security and confidentiality of information Home Health Aide Course.
Communicate with geriatric/paralytic/ immobile patient and their carers:-To be competent, the user/individual on the job must be able to
: PC1. Communicate with older people and their carers in an appropriate manner, and encourage them to seek clarification of any procedures, information, and advice relevant to them
PC2. Explore the needs and expectations of the older person and his/her goals for the intervention
PC3. Identify current or previous interventions that the older person may have experienced and the immediate requirements of his/her individualised care plan
PC4. Obtain the valid consent of the older person for the actions to be undertaken on his/her behalf, and agree upon the information which may be passed on to others
PC5. Discuss and agree the role of the older person and his/her carers in achieving the goals of the agreed intervention
PC6. Make arrangements for the intervention that are consistent with the older person’s priority and his/her specific requirements
PC7. Ensure the environment used for the intervention is suitable, and that the privacy and dignity of the older person is protected
PC8. Implement the intervention in a safe and effective manner, using evidencebased practices and processes
PC9. Implement the intervention in a manner that is consistent with the older person’s needs and specific requirements, and encourage their effective participation Home Health Aide Course.
PC10. Minimise any discomfort to the older person within the constraints imposed by the intervention method
PC11. Encourage the carers to give appropriate support to the older person throughout the intervention
PC12. Monitor the effects of the intervention on the older person throughout the process, and identify any indications of increased risk
PC13. Take appropriate action where the effects of the intervention are not as beneficial as expected
PC14. Work in partnership with the older person and his/her carers to assess the outcomes of the intervention in relation to the goals agreed upon at the outset
PC15. Produce records and reports that are clear, comprehensive and accurate, and maintain the security and confidentiality of information
Enable geriatric/paralytic/ immobile patient to cope with changes to their health and well-being:- To be competent, the user/individual on the job must be able to:
PC1. Adhere to legislation, protocols and guidelines relevant to one’s role and field of practice
PC2. Work within organisational systems and requirements as appropriate to one’s role
PC3. Recognise the boundary of one’s role and responsibility and seek supervision when situations are beyond one’s competence and authority
PC4. Maintain competence within one’s role and field of practice Home Health Aide Course.
PC5. Use relevant research based protocols and guidelines as evidence to inform one’s practice
PC6. Promote and demonstrate good practice as an individual and as a team member at all times
PC7. Identify and manage potential and actual risks to the quality and safety of practice
PC8. Evaluate and reflect on the quality of one’s work and make continuing improvements
Implement interventions with geriatric/paralytic/immobile patient at risk of falls :-To be competent, the user/ individual on the job must be able to:
PC1. Communicate with other people clearly and effectively
PC2. Integrate one’s work with other people’s work effectively
PC3. Pass on essential information to other people on timely basis
PC4. Work in a way that shows respect for other people Home Health Aide Course.
PC5. Carry out any commitments made to other people Home Health Aide Course .
PC6. Reason out the failure to fulfil commitment
PC7. Identify any problems with team members and other people and take the initiative to solve these problems
PC8. Follow the organisation’s policies and procedures
Act within the limits of one’s competence and authority:-To be competent, the user/ individual on the job must be able to:
PC1. Clearly establish, agree, and record the work requirements
PC2. Utilise time effectively
PC3. Ensure his/her work meets the agreed requirements
PC4. Treat confidential information correctly
PC5. Work in line with the organisation’s procedures and policies and within the limits of his/her job role
Work effectively with others:-To be competent, the user/ individual on the job must be able to:
PC1. Identify individual responsibilities in relation to maintaining workplace health safety and security requirements
PC2. Comply with health, safety and security procedures for the workplace Home Health Aide Course .
PC3. Report any identified breaches in health, safety, and security procedures to the designated person PC4. Identify potential hazards and breaches of safe work practices
PC5. Correct any hazards that individual can deal with safely, competently and within the limits of authority
PC6. Promptly and accurately report the hazards that individual is not allowed to deal with, to the relevant person and warn other people who may get affected
PC7. Follow the organisation’s emergency procedures promptly, calmly, and efficiently
PC8. Identify and recommend opportunities for improving health, safety, and security to the designated person
PC9. Complete any health and safety records legibly and accurately
Manage work to meet requirements:-PC1. Follow the appropriate procedures, policies and protocols for the method of collection and containment level according to the waste type
PC2. Apply appropriate health and safety measures and standard precautions for infection prevention and control and personal protective equipment relevant to the type and category of waste
PC3. Segregate the waste material from work areas in line with current legislation and organisational requirements
PC4. Segregation should happen at source with proper containment, by using different color coded bins for different categories of waste
PC5. Check the accuracy of the labelling that identifies the type and content of waste
PC6. Confirm suitability of containers for any required course of action appropriate to the type of waste disposal
PC7. Check the waste has undergone the required processes to make it safe for transport and disposal PC8. Transport the waste to the disposal site, taking into consideration its associated risks
PC9. Report and deal with spillages and contamination in accordance with current legislation and procedures
PC10. Maintain full, accurate and legible records of information and store in correct location in line with current legislation, guidelines, local policies and protocols
(Home Health Aide Course) Guidelines for Assessment:-
- Criteria for assessment for each Qualification Pack will be created by the Sector Skill Council. Each Performance Criteria (PC) will be assigned marks proportional to its importance in NOS. SSC will also lay down proportion of marks for Theory and Skills Practical for eac
PC 2. The assessment for the theory part will be based on knowledge bank of questions created by the
SSC 3. Individual assessment agencies will create unique question papers for theory part for each candidate at each examination/training center (as per assessment criteria below)
4.Individual assessment agencies will create unique evaluations for skill practical for every student at each examination/training center based on this criteria
5. To pass the Qualification Pack, every trainee should score as per assessment grid. 6. In case of successfully passing only certain number of NOS’s, the trainee is eligible to take subsequent assessment on the balance NOS’s to pass the Qualification Pack
(Assist patient in bathing)
PC1.Maintain the patient privacy and encourage patient do as much as possible to promote independence
PC2.Identify the type of bath that is best suited as per the guidelines, based on the patient condition and comfort
PC3.Check water temperature before patient checks in
PC4.Follow standards precautions when performing perennial care or when bathing a patient with skin lesion and rashes
PC5. Dry patient skin by patting with a towel which decreases friction and prevents skin breakdown
PC6. Never leave a patient unattended in bath room
PC7. Wash from cleanest to dirtiest
PC8. Observe and report unusual findings to the nurse
PC9. Offer patient back rub after bathing and at bed time to stimulate circulation and relieve stress
PC10. Apply lotion to dry skin if requested
PC11. Clean tub shower chair before and after each use
PC12. Always check each patients skin after bathing
Assist patient in grooming:-
PC1. Maintain the patient’s privacy and encourage patient do as much as possible to promote independence
PC2. Show patient how theylook after the grooming task is finished
PC3. Use standard precautions and protocols for shaving and cutting nails
PC4. Perform duties gently to avoid injuries especially during shaving, brushing and hair styling
PC5. Rinse toothpaste thoroughly from the mouth after brushing
PC6. Store dentures in cool water with patients name to avoid confusion
(Assist patient in dressing up):-
PC2. Fasten the clothing with elastic fasteners
PC3. Ensure that the footwear fits correctly
(Support patient to eat and drink):-
PC1. Make the patient comfortable and encourage eating as recommended
PC2. Check menu card to verify the diet, restrictions, likes and dislikes of the patient
PC3. Feed through spoon
PC4. Assist in elimination and oral care prior to feeding
PC5. Wash hands and mouth after feeding
PC6. Measure input and record them
PC7. During feeding observe and ensure that:
A Elimination process is completed before feeding
b. Oral care and grooming is performed before feeding
c. The patient is comfortable when being fed
d. The food provided is according to the dietary prescription of the prescribing physician or dietician
PC8. Patient is not having symptoms of distress like coughing and regurgitation
(Assist patient in maintaining normal elimination):-
PC1. Promptly respond to patients elimination needs
PC2. Assist a mobile patient in moving to the toilet and provide support like giving toilet paper if required or stabilise the commode
PC3. Wipe the patient and wash hands to prevent infection
PC4. Use equipment correctly to prevent discomfort or injury
PC5. Ensure/Maintain patients privacy at all times during the procedure
PC6. Record changes in colour or texture of the elimination and report usual findings immediately
(Prevent and control infection):-
PC1. Know all procedures required for infection control
PC2. Follow standard precautions
PC3. Be aware of rules to dispose of biomedical waste and sharps
PC4. Follow high level of personal hygiene
PC5. Practice medical asepsis
PC6. Follow infection control procedures and should ensure that:
o All standard precautions and procedures are followed
o Protective gears are used while getting in contact with the patient
o Consider all blood, body fluids and excreta contaminated
( Enable geriartic/paralytic/immobile patients to cope with changes to their health and well being):-
PC1. Establish a supportive relationship with the patient, and agree with them the roles and resposiblities of their carers
PC2. Communicate with patient and their carers in an appropriate manner
PC3. Encourage the patient to seek clarification of any procedures, information and advice relevant to them
PC4. Obtain an informed consent of the patient for the actions undertaken on their behalf, and agree on the information which may be passes to to others
PC5. Obtain information from the patient and their carers on the way in which the patient’s need are met
PC6. Identify any areas where support for the patient can be improved
PC7. Identify and prioritise actions required if the patient’s needs are not being appropriately addressed
PC8. Present any concerns that cannot be resolved in an appropriate way to appropriate people
PC9. Keep the patient and their carers informed about the progress in resolving any concerns, and anticipaited timescales for any outcomes
PC10. Produce records and reports that are clear, comprehensive and accurate, and maintain the security and confidentiality of information
PC11. Explore with the patient the nature of the changes to their health and well – being, and discuss with them and their carers about how they feel about these changes
PC12. Explain clearly to the patient and their carers, the reasons for the changes to their health and well being and the consequences arising from them
PC13. Respond sensitively to any issues raised by the patient, and report any issues that cannot be resolved to the appropraite people
PC14. Ensure that all the relevant agencies are provided with the information they need to help the patient and their carers to cope with the change process
PC15. Support the patient and their carers to monitor the assistance they are receiving to cope with the change, and identify any areas where this can be improved
PC16. Ensure that all the appropriate people are encouraged to provide feedback on how the patient and their carers are coping with change
(Implement interventions with geriatric/paralytic/immobile patient at risk of falls):-
PC1. Communicate with patient and their carers in an appropriate manner, and encourage them to seek clarifiacations of any procedures, information and advice relevant to them
PC2. Explore the needs and expectations of the patient and his/her goals for the intervention
PC3. Identify current or previous interventions that the patient may have experienced and the immediate requirements of his/her plan
PC4. Obtain the valid consent of the patient for the actions to be undertaken on his/her behalf, and agree upon the information which may be passed on to others
PC5. Discuss and agree the role of the patient and his/her carers in achieving the goals of the agreed intervention
PC6. Make arrangements for the intervention that are consistent with the patient’s priority and his/her specific requirements
PC7. Ensure the environment used for the intervention is suitable, and that the privacy and dignity of the patient is protected
PC8. Implement the intervention in a safe and effective manner, using evidencebased practices and processes
PC9. Implement the intervention in a manner that is consistent with the patient’s needs and specific requirements, and encourage their effective participation
PC10. Minimise any discomfort to the patient within the constraints imposed by the intervention method
PC11. Encourage the carers to give appropriate support to the patient throughout the intervention
PC12. Monitor the effects of the intervention on the patient throughout the process, and identify any indications of increased risk
PC13. Take appropriate action where the effects of the intervention are not asbeneficial as expected
PC 14. Work in partnership with the patient and his carers to assess the outcomes of the intervention in relation to the goals agreed upon at the outset
PC 15. Produce records and reports that are clear, comprehensive, and accurate and maintain the security and confidentiality of information
Communicate with geriartic/paralytic/immobile patients to cope with changes to their health and well being:-
PC1. Introduce himself to the geriatric/paralytic/ immobile patient and their carers, and provide all the relevant information necessary to begin working with them
PC2. Ensure that the geriatric/paralytic/ immobile patient and their carers are made to feel comfortable, and that they understand that their needs are made to feel comfortable, and that they understand their needs are important and are being addressed
PC3. Explain to the geriatric/paralytic/ immobile patient and their carers, his/her roles and resposibilities in relation to their care, and outline the constraints that could limit the movement
PC4. Discuss with geriatric/paralytic/ immobile patient and their carers their own roles and resposibilities for the care of the patient
PC5. Respond to any concerns that the geriatric/paralytic/immobile patients and their carers might have about his/her ability to work with them
PC6. Encourage the geriatric/paralytic/ immobile patient and their carers to ask questions and to seek clarification on any issues
PC7. Attempt to establish a rapport with the geriatric/paralytic/ immobile patient and their carers that enables a good relationship
PC8. Respond sensitively to any issues raised by the geriatric/paralytic/ immobile patient and their carers
PC9. Respect the human rights of the geriatric/paralytic/ immobile patient and their carers
PC10. Provide clear information on how to contact the service to obtain assistance if required
PC11. Identify any communication differences that exist, and try to address these will influence communication methods
PC12. Discuss the purpose of communication with the patient and their carers, and identify their preferred ways of communicating
PC13. Confirm with the geriatric/paralytic/ immobile patient who they wish to be involved in the communication
(Act within the limits of one’s competence and authority):-
PC1. Adhere to legislation, protocols and guidelines relevant to one’s role and field of practice
PC2. Work within organisational systems and requirements as appropriate to one’s role
PC3. Recognise the boundary of one’s role and responsibility and seek supervision when situations are beyond one’s competence and authority
PC4. Maintain competence within one’s role and field of practice
PC5. Use relevant research based protocols and guidelines as evidence to inform one’s practice
PC6. Promote and demonstrate good practice as an individual and as a team member at all times
PC7. Identify and manage potential and actual risks to the quality and safety of practice
PC8. Evaluate and reflect on the quality of one’s work and make continuing improvements
(Practice Code of conduct while performing duties):-
PC1. Adhere to protocols and guidelines relevant to the role and field of practice
PC2. Work within organisational systems and requirements as appropriate to the role
PC3. Recognise the boundary of the role and responsibility and seek supervision when situations are beyond the competence and authority
PC4. Maintain competence within the role and field of practice
PC5. Use protocols and guidelines relevant to the field of practice
PC6. Promote and demonstrate good practice as an individual and as a team member at all times
PC7. Identify and manage potential and actual risks to the quality and patient safety
PC8. Maintain personal hygiene and contribute actively to the healthcare ecosystem
(Manage work to meet requirements):-
PC1. Clearly establish, agree, and record the work requirements
PC2. Utilise time effectively
PC3. Ensure his/her work meets the agreed requirements
PC4. Treat confidential informationcorrectly
PC5. Work in line with the organisation’s procedures and policies and within the limits of his/her job role
(Work effectively with others):-
PC1. Communicate with other people clearly and effectively
PC2. Integrate one’s work with other people’s work effectively
PC3. Pass on essential information to other people on timely basis
PC4. Work in a way that shows respect for other people
PC5. Carry out any commitments made to other people
PC6. Reason out the failure to fulfil commitment
PC7. Identify any problems with team members and other people and take the initiative to solve these problems
PC8. Follow the organisation’s policies and procedures
(Follow biomedical waste disposal protocols):-
PC1. Follow the appropriate procedures, policies and protocols for the method of collection and containment level according to the waste type
PC2. Apply appropriate health and safety measures and standard precautions for infection prevention and control and personal protective equipment relevant to the type and category of waste
PC3. Segregate the waste material from work areas in line with current legislation and organisational requirements
PC4. Segregation should happen at source with proper containment, by using different colour coded bins for different categories of waste
PC5. Check the accuracy of the labelling that identifies the type and content of waste
PC6. Confirm suitability of containers for any required course of action appropriate to the type of waste disposal
PC7. Check the waste has undergone the required processes to make it safe for transport and disposal
PC8. Transport the waste to the disposal site, taking into consideration its associated risks
PC9. Report and deal with spillages and contamination in accordance with current legislation and procedures
PC10. Maintain full, accurate and legible records of information and store in correct location in line with current legislation, guidelines, local policies and protocols
(Act within the limits of one’s competence and authority):-
PC1. Adhere to legislation, protocols and guidelines relevant to one’s role and field of practice
PC2. Work within organisational systems and requirements as appropriate to one’s role
PC3. Recognise the boundary of one’s role and responsibility and seek supervision when situations are beyond one’s competence and authority
PC4. Maintain competence within one’s role and field of practice
PC5. Use relevant research based protocols and guidelines as evidence to inform one’s practice
PC6. Promote and demonstrate good practice as an individual and as a team member at all times
PC7. Identify and manage potential and actual risks to the quality and safety of practice
PC8. Evaluate and reflect on the quality of one’s work and make continuing improvements
(Manage work to meetrequirements):-
PC1. Clearly establish, agree, and record the work requirements
PC2. Utilise time effectively
PC3. Ensure his/her work meets the agreed requirements
PC4. Treat confidential information correctly
PC5. Work in line with the organisation’s procedures and policies and within the limits of his/her job role
(Maintain a safe, healthy, and secure working environment):-
PC1. Identify individual responsibilities in relation to maintaining workplace health safety and security requirements
PC2. Comply with health, safety and security procedures for the workplace
PC3. Report any identified breaches in health, safety, and security procedures to the designated person
PC4. Identify potential hazards and breaches of safe work practices
PC5. Correct any hazards that individual can deal with safely, competently and within the limits of authority
PC6. Promptly and accurately report the hazards that individual is not allowed to deal with, to the relevant person and warn other people who may get affected
PC7. Follow the organisation’s emergency procedures promptly, calmly, and efficiently
PC8. Identify and recommend opportunities for improving health, safety, and security to the designated person
PC9. Complete any health and safety records legibly and accurately
Technical Knowledge:- The user/individual on the job needs to know and understand:
KB1. Methods of obtaining informed consent from older people, and how to confirm that sufficient information has been provided on which to base this judgment the actions to take if the older person withdraws their consent
KB2. How to recognise when older people are not able to exercise their rights to make informed choices
KB3. The legal framework for making decisions for, or acting on behalf of, an older person without capacity, and how the best interests of an older person without capacity should be determined
KB4. The situations when consent may not be required e.g. Under relevant mental health legislation
KB5. How to deal with issues of confidentiality and who has the right of access to information that has been recorded
KB6. The main issues, debates, and policies relating to the health and well-being of older people
KB7. The ageing process and how it affects the needs of older people
KB8. The main health conditions that affect people as they age
KB9. The drugs and interventions which are used to manage the main age-related conditions and the effects of these on the overall health and well-being of older people
KB10. How to seek advice on conditions and drugs
KB11. The impact of social relationships and environment on the health and wellbeing of older people
KB12. How the needs of older people may affect others
KB13. Why it is important to clarify with the older person whether they need and have carers, and to confirm with the older person whether they accept their carers as having any say over their care
KB14. The ways in which carers should be involved in communication in order to deliver the most effective outcome for the older person
KB15. The type of communication and relationship difficulties that can occur with and between older people and their carers, and what to do to overcome them
KB16. The importance of focussing on the older person as an individual
KB17. The importance of respecting the different backgrounds and values of older people
KB18. The impact of the ageing process on older people’s communication needs e.g. sensory impairment, cognition and confusional states
KB19. The effects of environments and contexts on communication (particularly institutional settings)
KB20. The ways in which communication can be modified and altered for different needs, contexts and beliefs
KB21. The ways in which conditions experienced by older people can affect the communication process
KB22. How the environment in which communication is taking place can affect communication
KB23. The importance of acknowledging own feelings, beliefs and values and those of others as part of the communication process
KB24. The range of other practitioners who are available to support communication with older people
KB25. How to work with communication experts in an effective way
KB26. How communication may be misconstrued
KB27. The importance of avoiding the inappropriate use of jargon
KB28. The type of assumptions that are made about older people and their carers arising from communication differences
KB29. The types of communication differences that older people may experience
KB30. The sources of information available on the communication differences of older people and their carers
KB31. How communication differences affect the communication methods
KB32. The range of feelings which people may experience when there are communication differences
KB33. The principles of active listening, and its application
KB34. The need to reflect back your understanding of what has been communicated
KB35. The types of non-verbal cues that people give as part of communication (e.g. facial expression, tone of voice, body language)
KB36. How verbal expression may not be indicative of level of understanding
KB37. The way questions should be phrased and presented in order to obtain information and enable participation of the older person and their carers
Core Skills/ Generic Skills:-
The user/ individual on the job needs to know and understand how to:
SA1. Write the information to be communicated in an understandable manner
SA2. Record the non-verbal cues during communication
Reading Skills:- The user/individual on the job needs to know and understand how to:
SA3. Read the instructions
Oral Communication (Listening and Speaking skills):-
The user/individual on the job needs to know and understand how to:
SA4. Interact with the patient and their carers
SA5. Communicate with the old person
SA6. Use the types of communication aids that are used in older people’s services
Professional Skills:- The user/individual on the job needs to know and understand how to:
SB1. Communicate effectively with older people and their carers
Patient Centricity:-
The user/individual on the job needs to know and understand:
SB2. How an individual’s feelings, beliefs and values can affect the communication process
SB3. The importance of taking into account cultural differences as part of the communication process
Problem Solving:-
The user/individual on the job needs to know and understand:
SB4. The type of assumptions that are made about older people and their carers arising from communication differences
Critical Thinking:- The user needs to know and understand how to:
SB5. Apply, analyse and evaluate the information gathered from observation, experience, reasoning or communication, as a guide to belief and action
