Objective: Identify good communication techniques for working with older adults. Discuss additional communication techniques for older adults with physical disabilities and memory problems.

Description: In this CareAcademy class, we discuss strategies for communicating with older adults who have impairments such as hearing, vision, or memory loss. We also review how to apply good communication skills to manage difficult client behaviors and events.

Objective: Define communication. Demonstrate good communication skills including verbal and non-verbal approaches. Utilize problem-solving skills for dealing with conflicts. Define culture and how it influences an individual's worldview. Recognize cultural differences through behaviors or beliefs. Communicate effectively with those whose language background differs from yours.

Description: This class explores the importance of communication and problem-solving skills for professional caregivers. You will learn to recognize cultural differences and identify strategies for communicating effectively with those whose language and cultural background differ from yours.

Objective: Recognize the laws on privacy and confidentiality of client information (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, or HIPAA). Apply your knowledge of client’s rights when caring for an older adult. Identify the different signs of elder abuse. Apply strategies for preventing elder abuse. Report elder abuse based on the legal requirements for your state. Describe ethical behavior as it relates to being a caregiver. Identify signs of domestic abuse and child abuse.

Description: In this class, we discuss clients' privacy, security (confidentiality), and related rights. We discuss elder abuse and neglect, including how to prevent it and how to report it if it does occur. Forms of abuse include verbal, physical, emotional, sexual, and financial abuse. The class also discusses ethical behavior as it relates to being a caregiver.

Objective: Explain the importance of observation of client condition. Identify types of observation. Describe types of reports caregivers make and the elements of effective reports. Explain the importance of good documentation. Describe the characteristics of good documentation.

Description: This class demonstrates the importance of observing, documenting and reporting on a client’s condition. Caregivers will learn techniques for objective and subjective observation, elements and types of reports, and characteristics of effective documentation.

Objective: Identify different ways that infections can be transmitted, including bloodborne pathogens. Define infection control and explain its importance. Demonstrate appropriate practices for controlling the infection. Apply strategies for cleaning and disinfecting a client's home to prevent the spread of infection.

Description: In this class, caregivers learn how to maintain a clean and healthy environment for the older adults in their lives. Topics discussed include standard precautions (also known as universal precautions), including hand hygiene and the use of personal protective equipment, and how to dispose of sharps and other contaminated materials and equipment. Also covered are methods of transmission, bloodborne pathogens and airborne diseases, transmission-based precautions, and techniques for cleaning and disinfection for infection control.

Objective: Define activities of daily living and the importance of personal care. Describe the strategies for assisting with personal hygiene. Describe the best practices to be followed while assisting older adults for transferring, bathing, dressing, toileting, and eating.

Description: In this class on activities of daily living (ADLs), we touch upon how to assist older adults with activities such as transferring, bathing, grooming, dressing, toileting, and eating.

Objective: Identify different types of mobility equipment and their use. Explain how to safely transfer an older adult using a gait belt, slide board, or mobility device. Describe how to use a Hoyer lift to transfer an older adult. Determine how to use bed rails, monitors, and alarms to keep an older adult safe in bed.

Description: This class will teach caregivers how to safely use lifts and mobility equipment with an older adult, as well as ways in which bed rails and alarms can be used to increase nighttime safety.

Objective: Describe the anatomy of joints. Explain how muscles help joints to move. Demonstrate how to perform active range of motion exercises for the older adult’s upper and lower body. Demonstrate how to perform passive range of motion exercises for older adults who are bedridden.

Description: This class will discuss how joints and muscles work together, and their role in mobility. Caregivers will learn how to safely perform active and passive range of motion exercises with an older adult.

Objective: Identify different ways that infections can be transmitted, including bloodborne pathogens. Define infection control and explain its importance. Demonstrate appropriate practices for controlling the infection. Apply strategies for cleaning and disinfecting a client's home to prevent the spread of infection.

Description: In this class, caregivers learn how to maintain a clean and healthy environment for the older adults in their lives. Topics discussed include standard precautions (also known as universal precautions), including hand hygiene and the use of personal protective equipment, and how to dispose of sharps and other contaminated materials and equipment. Also covered are methods of transmission, bloodborne pathogens and airborne diseases, transmission-based precautions, and techniques for cleaning and disinfection for infection control.

Objective: Describe COVID-19, its symptoms, the people most at risk of serious illness from it, and how it is transmitted. Identify reliable sources of information about COVID-19. Apply strategies for reducing the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Describe tactics for providing care to someone who has COVID-19. Explain why cleaning and disinfection is important during the COVID-19 pandemic. Suggest strategies for self-care for caregivers during the COVID-19 global pandemic.

Description: This class will provide caregivers with relevant information on the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Caregivers will learn where to obtain reliable information about the virus, how to help prevent the virus from spreading, and how to care for themselves and their clients.

Objective: Discuss how medical factors can contribute to falls in older adults. Demonstrate specific exercises for the older adult that help with preventing falls. Manage aggressive behaviors that may happen when caring for an older adult. Effectively report changes in the older adult's condition. Tell the difference between emergencies that do require calling 911 and emergencies that do not.

Description: In this class, we explore the common medical factors that cause older adults to fall, and review specific exercises for preventing falls. We also discuss additional safety precautions, including managing aggressive behavior when caring for an older adult, and identifying and reporting changes in the older adult's condition.

Objective: Recognize a fire emergency. Recognize a medical emergency. This includes being able to recognize: common sudden illness; choking; shock; seizure; heat-related illnesses and cold-related emergencies; head, neck, and spinal injuries; severe allergic reaction; burns; severe bleeding; and poisoning. Contact 911 when appropriate.

Description: This class teaches direct care workers how to recognize fire and medical emergencies and properly respond by contacting 911 when appropriate.

Objective: Describe basic principles and best practices for activities for older adults living with dementia. Identify and plan meaningful and engaging, person-centered activities for older adults living with dementia. Determine how to safely coordinate activities for older adults living with dementia.

Description: In this class, caregivers will learn the benefits of providing activities for older adults living with dementia and how to safely provide meaningful, engaging, person-centered activities.