Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. Unit 35 The Nursing Assistant in Home Care

Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. Objectives Spell and define terms. Describe the characteristics that are especially important to the nursing assistant providing home care. List at least 10 methods of protecting your personal safety when working as a home care assistant in the community.

Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. Objectives Describe the duties of the nursing assistant who works in the home setting. Describe the duties of the homemaker assistant. Carry out home care activities needed to maintain a safe and clean environment.

Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. The Home Health Caregiver In Unit 33 –You learned about the structure of home health care In this unit –You will learn more about the responsibilities of the nursing assistant (home health assistant) working in the client’s home

Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. The Home Health Assistant and the Nursing Process You are part of the nursing process during: –Assessment –Planning –Implementation –Evaluation

Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. Characteristics of Home Care Nursing Assistant and Homemaker Assistant The home care nursing assistant and homemaker assistant –Must have a full measure of the characteristics you have already come to associate with a successful hospital-based assistant

Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. Characteristics of Home Care Nursing Assistant and Homemaker Assistant Remember that you will be working directly with the client and his or her personal possessions –Without a supervising nurse constantly with you

Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. Characteristics of Home Care Nursing Assistant and Homemaker Assistant This means you must demonstrate: –Honesty –Self-starter ability –Self-discipline –Accuracy and attention to details –Organization

Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. The Nursing Bag Prepare a tote bag, back pack, or other carrying case to use as a nursing bag Your bag should help keep your supplies organized and easy to find

Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. The Nursing Bag Fabric or outside of the bag should be washable or easy to clean Stock your bag with enough supplies to carry you through the day without having to replenish it

Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. The Nursing Bag Bring your nursing bag in the house at night –Never leave your bag in the car, which invites theft –Heat and cold extremes may damage some of your equipment and supplies People associate your bag with helping clients

Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. The Nursing Bag Make it clear that the bag does not contain any medications or syringes When leaving your car for a short period of time –Store the bag out of sight and lock the doors

Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. Personal Safety Personal safety is always a concern for home care workers Be alert to the conditions and people around you Inform your employer promptly if you believe unsafe conditions exist

Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. Safety in the Home Your first visit to the home is an opportunity to check for safety factors Tell a family member or the supervising nurse about safety problems

Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. Assisting with Medications Physician may prescribe medications for clients receiving home health care Nursing assistants are not legally responsible for giving medications –However, you may have to supervise a client as he or she self-administers medications

Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. Elder Abuse As a home health assistant: –You may observe clients who might possibly be abused Unit 4 –Describes the various types of abuse that may be inflicted by staff members, family members, or other residents

Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. Housekeeping Tasks In some cases, the homemaker assistant will perform the housekeeping tasks.

Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. Housekeeping Tasks In other cases, the home health assistant may be assigned some or all of the following duties: –Cleaning the client’s room –Cleaning the bathroom –Cleaning the kitchen

Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. Housekeeping Tasks You also may need to perform other duties, such as: –Food management –Laundry

Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. Discarding Medical Waste Place contaminated supplies in a plastic bag and close tightly. Double bag if the outside is torn or contaminated. Seal the bag by using a twist tie, taping, or tying.

Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. Discarding Medical Waste Dispose of the bag in the household trash –Take it outside to the trash can, if possible Wash your hands or use alcohol hand cleaner. Sanitize all contaminated equipment and surfaces appropriately.