(Hi Huis Herfsblaar, so glad you are using this forum!)

Person first, task second - always! 

Thinking hands - consider how what I do will impact the individual

Maybe to give background as to why we asked this question:

The Community Health Worker program (under HWSETA) that we are offering has come to an end. 

The new program is accredited by QCTO, we had to make a decision to offer the Health Promotion Officer or the Home based person care worker programs.

An easy decision was made, as we are in the care industry, and we will now offer the Home based personal care worker program.

The program has specific compulsory modules but we are allowed to add additional content.

Hence the reason for the question - what do you expect your care worker to do? Are there other skills that you wish your care worker had when they started working with you? 
To give you an example, our staff suggested that in addition to teaching the care worker the need for socialization and personal interaction of older persons, we can also teach the care worker how to socialize and do exercise and activities with their client.

Thank you for your response.

Regards
Huis Herfsblaar team

Learning to socialise with someone, especially if the person is from a different culture, is a very valuable skill. And yes adding more skills on activities and especially movement is vital.

I have a few more suggestions along these lines (My wish list). It’s more about how care workers should be. I'm sure some of these are already included in the training. If incorporated or opportunities created for the individuals to develop themselves, it would make a significant difference:

• Know themselves and be self-confident
• Have a positive self-image
• Be able (and confident) to express their opinions, thoughts, and feelings
• Possess good listening skills
• Be mindful and observant
• Have strong conversation skills, especially active listening
• Be knowledgeable in wellbeing, empowerment, enablement, and person-directed support, as well as facilitation
• Be a team player
• Be skilled in conflict resolution or, at the very least, be aware of the impact conflict can have on everyone, especially older individuals and know where to access support to resolve conflict.
• Know how to negotiate and advocate
• Be culturally aware and knowledgeable
• etc...

Here is a starter list of training modules for consideration.

This is provided as a point of departure within Project Scaffold to ensure that at the very least we are all considering the same TOPICS.  The content may differ and may in some cases be proprietary, however to start with lets all agree on the subjects that must be covered:

I. Communication and Interpersonal Skills:

• Communication

II. Personal Care and Hygiene:

• Personal Hygiene
• Bed bath
• Caring for fingernails and toenails
• Hair wash
• Hand washing
• Mouth care
• Shower

III. Mobility and Positioning:

• Sitting in chair
• Making a bed
• Making a bed with a resident in the bed

IV. Nutrition and Hydration:

• Fluid intake and output
• General rules for feeding helpless patients
• Serving meals
• Nasal-gastric tube feeding
• PEG feeding (Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy)

V. Observation and Monitoring:

• Observations
• Vital observations
• Urine testing

VI. Safety and Prevention:

• Health and safety
• Safety for the Care giver
• Bed rest complications
• Pressure sores

VII. Medical Assistance and Procedures:

• Bedpan and urinal
• Catheter care
• Oxygen inhalation
• Wound dressing

VIII. End-of-Life Care:

• Care of the dying
• Palliative Care and the aged

IX. Specific Resident Conditions:

• Sleep
• Unconscious Resident
• Pain

X. Ethical and Legal Considerations:

• Ethical principles
• Forms of conduct
• Legal obligations concerning the nurse
• Medico-legal risks

I. Communication and Interpersonal Skills:

• Communication
  • Listening Skills (Nancy Kline: “Time to Think” is a good guide)
  • Communicating with someone who is living with neuro-cognitive impairment
  • Overcoming language barriers
  • Becoming well known
  • Record keeping for Caregivers (maintaining daily records that translate into care plans)

II. Personal Care and Hygiene:

• Personal Hygiene
• Bed bath
• Caring for fingernails and toenails
• Hair wash
• Hand washing
• Mouth care
• Shower
• Foot care
• Skin care

III. Mobility and Positioning:

• Transfer a resident who can no longer transfer independently
• Sitting in chair
• Making a bed
• Making a bed with a resident in the bed
• Wheelchair use

IV. Nutrition and Hydration: Understanding the importance of optimal nutrition and hydration and the role that Caregivers play in maintaining this status

• Fluid intake and output
• General rules for feeding helpless patients
• Serving meals
• Nasal-gastric tube feeding
• PEG feeding (Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy)

V. Observation and Monitoring:

• Observations, including
  • weight monitoring
  • hydration status
  • skin integrity
  • output (Bristol stool chart, understanding urine status i.e. colour, smell, frequency)
  • sleep patterns
  • mood status
  • engagement in meaningful engagement
• Vital observations
• Urine testing

VI. Safety and Prevention:

• Health and safety
• Safety for the Care giver
• Bed rest complications
• Preventing skin tears, skin flaps, Pressure sores etc

VII. Medical Assistance and Procedures:

• Bedpan and urinal
• Catheter care
• Oxygen inhalation
• Wound dressing (RN are going to say this is not allowed to be performed by a Caregiver. Perhaps rather “Wounds: what should the Caregiver know/do.)

VIII. End-of-Life Care:

• Care of the dying
• Palliative Care and the aged

IX. Specific Resident Conditions:

• Sleep
• Unconscious Resident
• Pain
• Distressed reactions - why do residents become distressed and what happens if they do?

X. Ethical and Legal Considerations:

• Ethical principles (e.g privacy)
• Forms of conduct
• Legal obligations concerning the nurse (we will have to create a legal/ethical framework of conduct)
• Medico-legal risks

XI. Understanding Neurocognitive Impairment:

• Knowledge of different types of neurocognitive impairment (dementias)
• Understanding the three D’s (dementia, depression, delirium)
• Understanding the modifiable risk factors for dementia (what can I do to help reduce the risk?)

XII. Meaningful Engagement:

• Enabling vs disabling practices - when should a Caregiver help and when should they not?
• Creating oportunities for meaningful engagement.

Thanks for extending the list Rayne!

Here is a revised list, based on input from others including Sr. Heide-Marie from MacCare:

1. Who is a Care Giver: an Overview

2. Characteristics of a Caregiver

3. Duties of a Care Giver

4. Communication and Interpersonal Skills

a. Communication
b. Listening Skills
c. Communicating with someone who is living with neuro-cognitive impairment
d. Overcoming language barriers
e. Becoming well known
f. Telephone Communication
- Answering the phone in an emergency
g. Communication and Collaboration with Families and Other Healthcare Professionals
h. Cultural Sensitivity and Diversity
i. Respecting Household Routines and Preferences
j. Awareness of Different Communication Norms
k. Respecting Privacy and Personal Space
l. Adapting Communication Styles
m. Professional Boundaries

5. Record Keeping and Documentation

a. Record keeping for Caregivers
b. Recording and Documentation
c. Incident Reporting

6. Personal Care and Hygiene

a. Personal Hygiene
- Bed bath
- Caring for fingernails and toenails
- Hair wash
- Hand washing
- Mouth care
- Shower
- Foot care
- Skin care and integrity
b. Incontinence care management
c. Infection Control Practices
d. Adapting to Different Hygiene Standards

7. Mobility and Positioning

a. Transfer a resident who can no longer transfer independently
b. Sitting in a chair
c. Making a bed
d. Making a bed with a resident in the bed
e. Wheelchair use
f. Residents in wheelchairs - safety and guidance
g. Accompanying to amenities

8. Nutrition and Hydration

a. Understanding the importance of optimal nutrition and hydration
b. Fluid intake and output
c. General rules for feeding helpless patients
d. Serving meals
e. Nasal-gastric tube feeding
f. PEG feeding (Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy)
g. Safe Food Handling and Storage
h. Understanding Dietary Needs and Restrictions
i. Dysphagia - aspiration
j. Dehydration
k. Kitchen- preparing beverages and meals, hygiene, and appliances

9. Observation and Monitoring

a. Observations, including:
- Weight monitoring
- Hydration status
- Skin integrity
- Output (Bristol stool chart, urine color, smell, frequency)
- Sleep patterns
- Mood status
- Engagement in meaningful activities
b. Vital observations
c. Urine testing

10. Safety and Prevention

a. Health and safety
b. Home Safety and Maintenance Awareness
c. Infection Control Practices
d. Safety for the caregiver
e. Bed rest complications
f. Preventing skin tears, skin flaps, pressure sores
g. Advanced First Aid and Basic Life Support (BLS)
h. Emergency Response and Procedures
- Responding to a call
- Falls
- Wounds / Bleeding
- Unconscious resident
- Allergy
- Choking

11. Medical Assistance and Procedures

a. Bed Pan and Urinal
b. Catheter care
c. Oxygen inhalation
d. Basic Understanding of Home Medical Equipment
e. Wound dressing (Caregiver's role)
f. Medication Assistance (if within scope of practice)
g. Technology in Caregiving

12. End-of-Life Care (Palliative)

a. Care of the dying
b. Palliative care and the aged
c. Stages in dying

13. Specific Resident Conditions

a. Sleep
b. Rest
c. Comfort
d. Unconscious Resident
e. Pain
f. Distressed reactions - causes and responses
g. Managing Challenging Behaviors
h. Emotional Support and Mental Well-being of Residents
i. Specific Medical Conditions

14. Ethical and Legal Considerations

a. Ethical principles (e.g., privacy)
b. Forms of conduct
c. Legal obligations concerning the nurse
d. Medico-legal risks
e. Respecting Privacy and Personal Space

15. Understanding Neurocognitive Impairment (Dementia)

a. Knowledge of different types of neurocognitive impairment
b. Understanding the three D’s (dementia, depression, delirium)
c. Understanding the modifiable risk factors for dementia
d. How does communication differ with a dementia resident
e. Dementia, aggression, and anxiety
f. Basic First Response (in dementia context)

16. Meaningful Engagement

a. Enabling vs. disabling practices
b. Creating opportunities for meaningful engagement
c. Culture inspiration
d. Activities and Engagement Programming
- Types of activities
- Finding the right activity for a resident
e. Importance of exercise – Passive/Active
f. Companionship

17. Caregiver Well-being and Self-Care

18. Skills for Managing a Modern Home Environment

a. Basic Appliance Use
b. Home Safety and Maintenance Awareness
c. Organization and Cleanliness Standards
d. Homecare and Housekeeping
e. Room neatness and assistance
f. Resident Laundry: receiving, sorting, packing away, recording
g. Bed, room, closet neatness and maintenance
h. Entering and being in a home – Resident routine and habits

19. Time Management and Organization in Home Care

a. Following Care Plans and Schedules
b. Prioritizing Tasks

20. Team Communication and Collaboration

a. PDC Team Communication
b. Family Communication

21. Values and Cultural Sensitivity

a. Values
b. Cultures / Spirituality
c. Respecting Household Routines and Preferences
d. Cultural Sensitivity and Diversity

22. Resident Environment and Preferences

a. Pets

Undoubtedly there will be some areas to optimise and improve upon, but I think we are making progress!

Please provide your input and opinion regarding the list 

I suggest adding 12(d) - Berevement 

Having let some time pass while this percolates and allow members to add their inputs, I have consolidated the list and will start work within the MacCare group on making this a reality.  While I will be working with Heide-Marie Archer, I invite anyone interested to get involved in the process.  We have long had the practice of sharing our work with others.  I attach the consolidated listing, categorised.

Following the Scaffold meeting today, please find attached to this answer the Curriculum (in editable Word format) that we have worked on under the project so far.  Added to the modules are now two columns to show whether there should be a Basic, Intermediate and/or Advanced level training course for each module.

At the end of July 2025 we will start working to consolidate input and move forward with the program.

I also attach the proposed Template (in MS-Word format) that we want to base all training modules on, for your comment by the end of July 2025 please.

If we can all agree on the Modules, the Tiers for Careworkers and the Levels of modules needed to comply with each Careworker Tier, we can then start to work on the material itself.

Thanks in advance for your assistance.

CAREGIVER JOB DESCRIPTION

As a CAREGIVER, you provide a variety of services that allow the elderly or infants to be cared for in their homes. The CAREGIVERS key role is to ensure that those under their care are clean, fed and safe. The responsibilities of the CAREGIVER can be diverse and encompass many aspects of care.

When caring for an elderly patient a CAREGIVER will also be responsible for a senior's health care. This may include monitoring vital sings and updating patient's file. If the CAREGIVER is caring for a child the job description may include making sure they are physically well and providing the necessary social interaction such as playing games, reading and encourage development of skills.

COMPANIONSHIP

Companionship services are those that stimulate, encourage and assist an individual. The primary responsibility of Companionship includes the following:

 Providing companionship and conversation

 Providing stimulation and conversation

 Preparing meals and cleaning up meal-related items

 Providing medication as prescript by the doctor and given by family

 Communicate with patient /client in a friendly and congenial manner

HOME

Home Care generally involve light housekeeping, errands or incidental transportation. The primary responsibility of Home Helper includes the following:

 Performing light housekeeping tasks (dusting, vacuuming, making beds, changing linens, cleaning bathrooms, kitchen, etc.)  Washing and ironing laundry. Running errands

 Accompanying clients to appointments

PERSONAL CARE

Personal care is personal in nature and often include assistance with activities of daily living. The primary responsibility of personal care includes the following:

 Assisting with bathing

 Assisting with grooming

Assisting with toileting and incontinence issues

OTHER RESPONISBILITIES

These responsibilities form part of all the other responsibilities and is part of the daily care Of the patient or client. This responsibility includes the following but is not restricted to these only:

 Prepare and plan meals

 Help with walking and light exercise

 Plan for future meals, check expiration dates on foods. Assist with bathing / showering, grooming and dressing

 Take out of trash

 Run small errands

 Remind when to take medication

 Engage in mental and physical exercises

 Escort to appointments or hospital

 Escort to religious services

 Engage in regular activities (talking, games, reading, etc.)  Recording of daily care

 Reporting of any incident's accidents

 Make notes of any significant changes in the patient / client to the service Management

 Be pleasant and a supportive caregiver

 Act quickly and responsible in an emergency

SECONDARY RESPONSIBILTIES

These responsibilities include the following:

 Contributing to a positive living environment to enhance a patient / client's quality of life

 Performing other reasonable duties as assigned

 Reporting hours according to office policy

 Reporting any significant changes in a patient's / client's needs or living conditions

 Regularly communicating with supervisor and office staff

 Treat and care for patient's / client's property with dignity and respect 

This is our company job description we use for our caregivers in our facility and our home base care. please note that this what we see as what are expected from them. We have a copy right on our documentation and if anyone want to add or engage to create a formal job description for caregivers that we all can use then we open for discussion on this. Any suggestions will be welcome.