This lesson on Patients with Arthritis includes a complete training packet. Each in-service packet takes approximately one hour to complete and fully meets the Medicare in-service training requirements. As aides need training, you can make as many copies as you want - there's no restriction when used with aides assigned from your office location. Remember that Home Health Aides must have 12 hours of in-service training every year. LESSON OBJECTIVES After completion of this program, the home health aide will be able to: * Name two different types of arthritis * List three factors that contribute to arthritis pain, and * Describe three ways home health aides can help patients with arthritis. LESSON OVERVIEW According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), arthritis affects about one of every three adults, making it one of the most prevalent diseases in the United States. It is the nation's leading cause of disability. Homecare patients are very likely to have arthritis, and even when it may not the primary diagnosis for homecare, it is often the reason the patient requires a home health aide. Therefore it is very important for home health aides to understand this condition, and to know how to care for arthritic patients. The purpose of this in-service is to educate aides about arthritis and to provide information about the care of affected patients.

This lesson on Role of the Social Worker includes a complete training packet. Each in-service packet takes approximately one hour to complete and fully meets the Medicare in-service training requirements. As aides need training, you can make as many copies as you want - there's no restriction when used with aides assigned from your office location. Remember that Home Health Aides must have 12 hours of in-service training every year. LESSON OBJECTIVES Upon completion of this program, the home health aide will be able to: Describe two signs of elder abuse Identify three types of services a social worker may provide to a patient Describe two situations to report that may indicate a need for social services OVERVIEW Knowing when to seek the services of a social worker can be an important aspect in a patient's recovery. Oftentimes it is a home health aide who first sees a situation where a social worker might be needed. Therefore, it is important that home health aides understand the many situations in which social workers can help, and when to report the signs and symptoms indicating a patient may need a social worker's support. This in-service reviews the role of a social worker in home health. It also offers examples of when social workers could be called upon. Finally, it reviews the home health aide's role as being instrumental in making sure social services are appropriately and fully used. In the best circumstances, social workers help patients and caregivers by supporting care.

Contractures are a common complication of neurological and musculoskeletal conditions and are characterized by a reduction in joint mobility. No muscle is completely relaxed while the body is in a conscious or non-paralyzed state. Muscle tone keeps the bones in place and allows us to maintain posture. When there is a shortening of a muscle or tendon, this results in moderate to severe dysfunction in ROM it is called a contracture. The most common contractures are found in the ankle/foot, hip, knee, elbow, and wrist/hand/finger areas of the body. LESSON OBJECTIVES After completion of this program, the home health aide will be able to: Define a contracture Describe the four different types of joints Differentiate between the different types of range of motion (ROM) Identify three injuries or diseases that predispose patients to contractures Identify the general guidelines for ROM exercises Contents of this lesson: A clearly written fact sheet A 10-question post-test to measure understanding of the subject matter An answer sheet with a place for the instructor's comments and signature An illustrative, homecare-specific case study Suggested supplemental learning activities An attendance log and certificate of completion

This lesson on Spinal Surgery includes a complete training packet. Each in-service packet takes approximately one hour to complete and fully meets the Medicare in-service training requirements. As aides need training, you can make as many copies as you want - there's no restriction when used with aides assigned from your office location. Remember that Home Health Aides must have 12 hours of in-service training every year. LESSON OBJECTIVES Upon completion of this program, the home health aide will be able to: Name two common types of spinal surgery List three restrictions patients with spinal surgery may have Identify three complications that could occur after spinal surgery, and List three occasions when the aide should contact the supervisor. OVERVIEW The American Academy of Spine Physicians reports that four-out-of-five adults suffer from back problems at one time or another. Not all back problems require surgery and many conditions can be improved with conservative measures such as physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, epidural steroid injections, improved body mechanics, and weight loss. Some common conditions that occur with aging, such as degenerative disc disease, which causes the wearing away of the cushion (disc) between the vertebrae, may cause lower back pain. This condition cannot be treated with conservative measures and requires a spinal fusion. Osteoporosis may also cause weakening of the vertebral structures and result in the need for spinal fusion. Kyphosis, scoliosis, and spondyliothesis may also precipitate the need for spinal surgery. Some patients may require home health care following spinal surgery. Home health aides may be assigned to assist with bathing, dressing, and household activities.

This lesson on Restless Legs Syndrome includes a complete training packet. Each in-service packet takes approximately one hour to complete and fully meets the Medicare in-service training requirements. As aides need training, you can make as many copies as you want - there's no restriction when used with aides assigned from your office location. Remember that Home Health Aides must have 12 hours of in-service training every year. LESSON OBJECTIVES Upon completion of this program, the home health aide will be able to: Verbalize a basic knowledge of the nervous system and common diseases Define Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) Identify symptoms and problems caused by RLS Explain ways to provide support to a patient who has RLS, and Verbalize problems related to lack of sleep. OVERVIEW Neurological disorders and diseases affect approximately 50 million people in the United States. Since the nervous system controls all parts of the body, a disorder or disease in any part of the system will have some effect on the body's ability to function. Some neurological diseases primarily affect the lower extremities. Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is one of those. While it's estimated to affect 12 million people in the United States, RLS has not been well known until recent years. RLS can have serious effects on a homecare patient's well being and ability to function, making it difficult to recover from other illnesses. This in-service provides an in-depth look at RLS and the role aides can play in helping patients manage their problems.

Family caregiving affects millions of Americans every day, in all walks of life. At least 17.7 million individuals in the United States are caregivers of an older adult with a health or functional limitation. The nation's family caregivers provide the lion's share of long-term care for our older adult population. They are also central to older adults' access to and receipt of health care and community-based social services. Yet the need to recognize and support caregivers is among the least appreciated challenges facing the aging U.S. population. Families Caring for an Aging America examines the prevalence and nature of family caregiving of older adults and the available evidence on the effectiveness of programs, supports, and other interventions designed to support family caregivers. This report also assesses and recommends policies to address the needs of family caregivers and to minimize the barriers that they encounter in trying to meet the needs of older adults.