Difficult behaviors or challenging behaviors are terms used to describe disruptive behavior. Any patient may display difficult behaviors, regardless of his or her physical or mental health.  However, such terms are typically used to describe patients who demonstrate the behaviors on a somewhat regular basis as opposed to an occasional outburst.

This program provides an introduction to the different types of difficult or challenging behaviors, potential causes for the behavior, and methods to cope with, reduce or prevent the incidence of these behaviors when working with any patient.

This session is designed as an entry-level course for paraprofessionals to gain knowledge and develop skills for the care and support of patients with mental illness or disabilities.  Information on general mental health, stress, and coping mechanisms will be presented as well as specific mental illnesses and disabilities.  Special care considerations will also be discussed.

This course will present information on basic body mechanics, benefits of exercise, effects of immobility, and basic principles of rehabilitation. Appropriate, effective skills for activity and exercise will be presented.

Blood pressure plays an important role in the health of each person. Knowing the facts about blood pressure and the proper procedure for measuring a blood pressure is important in order to provide proper care for the patient. This session is designed as an entry-level course for paraprofessionals learning about blood pressure.

This course is designed to train the paraprofessional in the skills of taking a pulse and respiration. A specific step-by-step procedure is included.

This course is designed to train the paraprofessional in the skills of taking a temperature. Specific step-by-step procedures for each method are included.

This course is designed to train the paraprofessional in the skills of measuring weight and height. Specific step-by-step procedures for each are included.

Learning to effectively communicate with the patient is an important aspect of your job as a home health aide or nursing assistant/nurse aide. To effectively communicate, you need to learn to “listen” to the person’s non-verbal communication (facial expression, body stance, eye contact, etc.) as well as listening to the words, in order to better understand what the patient is telling you.

This session is designed as an entry-level course for paraprofessionals to learn about the basic safety measures and maintaining a clean environment. This course will present information on safety measures, emergency situations, and good body mechanics. Additionally, several skills that are necessary to maintain a safe and clean environment are presented.

Paraprofessionals (home health aides, nursing assistants, personal care attendants etc.) are the backbone of the nursing home and home health industry. It is important for workers to have a solid understanding of what the job entails. This session is designed as an entry-level course for paraprofessionals to learn about the job roles and responsibilities in the paraprofessional role.

Elimination is the body’s way of removing digestive and body chemical waste products and harmful substances referred to as toxins.  The process of elimination is critical for the body to operate at its best.  This course will examine the different routes of elimination, the wastes created and the paraprofessional’s role in providing support to the patient for the elimination process.

This course addresses special procedures the aide may be asked to perform when caring for a patient with special care needs such as oxygen, tube feedings, IV therapy, drainage tubing, stoma care or support stockings.   Assisting the licensed nurse with the tasks related to these special care needs improves patient care and outcomes. 

This course is designed to provide an overview of vital signs measurement for the paraprofessional.

This course will help the reader identify the purpose of the orientation to home care experience. Important steps to take before and after performing various skills are described. The course also reviews the importance of developing sound organizational skills and strategies for working effectively with all members of the health care team. Procedures for patient admission are also discussed.

This session is designed as an entry-level course for paraprofessionals to gain knowledge and develop skills for the care and support of patients with mental illness or disabilities. Information on general mental health, stress, and coping mechanisms will be presented as well as specific mental illnesses and disabilities. Special care considerations will also be discussed.

Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) are activities that adults do every day to carry out their lives. These include bathing, dressing, grooming, going to the bathroom, walking, eating and other basic activities. The vast majority of ADLs are provided by the paraprofessional in most health care settings. Because of this responsibility, it is important as caregivers to have a solid understanding of the appropriate techniques in providing personal care. The paraprofessional also needs to be able to correctly demonstrate the proper skills necessary to provide personal care. In addition to ADLs, it is important that the caregiver understand and practice the goals of proper skin care and the preventive measures necessary to avoid pressure ulcers.

This course will present information on basic nutrition, factors affecting nutrition, common types of diets, the importance of fluid balance, and meal preparation. Appropriate, effective skills for feeding a patient and measuring intake will also be presented.

This course presents information on lifespan growth and development, including the different levels of human needs.  Normal changes typically seen with aging are identified, and reality as compared to myths associated with aging are examined.  Additionally, individual aging differences and age-related conditions will be reviewed, as well as information on death, dying, grief, and loss.