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Unit 35. The Nursing Assistant in Home Care. Objectives. Spell and define terms. Describe the characteristics that are especially important to the nursing assistant providing home care.
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Unit 35 The Nursing Assistant in Home Care
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.
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.
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
The Home HealthAssistant and the Nursing Process • You are part of the nursing process during: • Assessment • Planning • Implementation • Evaluation
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Housekeeping Tasks • In some cases, the homemaker assistant will perform the housekeeping tasks.
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
Housekeeping Tasks • You also may need to perform other duties, such as: • Food management • Laundry
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.
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.