V19 – Key Points and Definitions

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1
Sep

  1. Home care team: A group of health care professionals assigned to work with a particular individual.
  2. How the home care team is formed: Each client has specific health care needs. The home care team members are assigned to serve the specific needs of the client.
  3. Professionals who may be part of the home care team include:
    • Physician
    • Registered Nurse
    • Physical Therapist
    • Occupational Therapist
    • Social Worker
    • Speech Therapist
    • Home Health Aide
    • Personal Care Attendant
    • Homemaker/Companion
    • Primary Family Caregiver
  4. Physician: The physician or medical doctor is at the head of the home care team. He or she authorizes home care treatment and oversees the plan of care.
  5. Registered Nurse: A registered nurse (RN) evaluates the client’s condition and provides skilled care such as treatments, assessments and medications. The RN acts as case manager, supervises the nurse’s aide, home health aide or other caregivers.
  6. Physical Therapist: A physical therapist (PT) assesses the client’s physical abilities and develops a treatment plan to restore function and prevent disability. The PT teaches and assists the client in carrying out appropriate exercises.
  7. Occupational Therapist: The occupational therapist (OT) assesses the client’s ability to perform essential daily living tasks, including bathing, dressing and cooking. An OT works with the client to improve skills and abilities.
  8. Social Worker: The social worker (MSW) evaluates the social/psychological situation of the client and family. Social workers help the client and family to cope with problems and plan for the future. They also help identify available community resources.
  9. Speech Therapist: A speech therapist (ST) evaluates the client’s speech and language. The speech therapist teaches the client exercises for tongue, mouth and face and treats speech or swallowing disorders caused by physical illness or mental conditions.
  10. Home Health Aide: The home health aide is a certified nurse’s aide who provides personal care under the direction of the RN. He or she may also assist with rehabilitation activities under the direction of a physical therapist.
  11. In-Home Care Provider: Job titles for this category of worker vary from state to state. Titles include: direct care workers, personal care attendants or aides, home care aides or nurse’s aides. The in-home care provider provides personal care such as bathing, oral hygiene and dressing.
  12. Homemaker Companion: Homemaker companions provide non-medical care, performing household duties such as laundry, cooking and light housekeeping. Other responsibilities include maintenance of safety, transportation and companionship.
  13. Ongoing education is important in home care: Ongoing education helps to develop and refine caregiving, communication and professional skills and increases overall understanding. Continued learning leads to better care and greater job satisfaction.
  14. Working well with others: To provide quality home care, it’s important for members of the care team to work together in a professional, cooperative way.
  15. Fulfilling the care plan: The care plan describes the person’s health issues and physical limitations. The care plan describes short and long term goals for each problem area and describes methods that each member of the care team must use to meet those goals.
  16. Following care plan instructions: Following care plan instructions exactly provides a consistent standard for each task. You may be required to learn new ways to perform common caregiving and household tasks. Follow the instructions you are given even if they are different from the way you are used to doing a task.
  17. If instructions are confusing or seem to conflict:
    • Be sure to ask questions.
    • Check with your supervisor for clarity.
  18. Developing Good Observation Skills Means Using All Your Senses
    • Use your eyes to check the home environment for safety and cleanliness.
    • Use your senses to notice daily changes in your client’s skin color, mood, pain levels, appetite and sleep patterns.
    • By staying alert and using all your senses you will develop good observation skills.
  19. Reporting to Your Supervisor
    • Report any changes in your client’s physical or emotional condition to your supervisor.
    • It is always better to report an observation even if it seems unimportant or you are unsure about it than to risk the client’s well-being by not reporting it.
  20. Events That Must Be Reported Immediately:
    • Falls
    • Deep wounds
    • Chest pain or pressure in the chest
    • Severe bleeding
    • Slurred speech
    • Difficulty breathing
    • Seizures
    • Severe pain or pressure in the abdomen
  21. Documentation describes your observations and activities and becomes part of your client’s legal record.
  22. Good Documentation Should Be:
    • Factual
    • Descriptive
    • Brief
    • Neat
    • Easy to read and understand
    • Each entry should be dated and signed
  23. Important Elements for Success on the Job: When you work in the home setting with clients and their families, you are entering a place that most people consider to be very private. Your positive attitude can decrease any stress your client feels about having a stranger in their home.
  24. Guidelines About Positive Attitude
    • Pleasant, polite demeanor
    • Caring, service-oriented attitude
    • Flexibility in terms of schedule
    • Respect and acceptance of values and beliefs of client and family
  25. Behaviors to Avoid
    • Being judgmental
    • Giving advice
    • Controversial or upsetting topics
    • Discussing your own problems
    • Talking down to your client
    • Moodiness
    • Gossip
  26. Attendance and Timeliness: Your client and family rely upon you, so attendance and timeliness are especially important. If you are unable to report to work because of illness or emergency, contact your agency as soon as possible.
  27. Smoking: Smoking is discouraged. If smoking must occur, it should be done outside and restricted to break times.
  28. Hygiene and Grooming:
    • Wear modest, clean clothing or uniform if required
    • Hair should be neat and pulled back
    • Keep fingernails short. No artificial nails
    • Bathe daily and use deodorant
    • Wear minimal jewelry. No dangling earrings, bracelets or pendants
    • Wear comfortable shoes with non-skid soles.
  29. Telephone Usage: Telephone usage should be restricted to job-related calls such as reporting to the agency or another member of the health care team. Never use the client’s household phone for any personal calls.
  30. Personal Visits During Working Hours: Personal visits with family or friends should not occur while working in the client’s home or when at the agency office.
  31. Leaving Personal Problems At Home: When personal problems are brought into the workplace, it affects everyone’s mood. A positive atmosphere is especially important when caring for those whose health is fragile. Leave personal problems at home.
  32. Maintaining Your Health: Home care can be physically and emotionally demanding. Take care of your own health through exercise, relaxation and activities that give you pleasure.