Course Content
The following global ideas guide the design and delivery of this course:
- Safety issues are important threads that are woven throughout all theory and practice of personal assistance skills.
- Basic cleanliness principals are applied whenever the practitioner is performing personal assistance tasks.
- Proper body mechanics for the practitioner and the person who is being supported help ensure safety and comfort while performing personal assistance tasks.
- Health is not a state, but rather a process and continuum. It is a resource for, not the goal of, living.
- Use of an organized, goal directed decision-making process enables the practitioner to apply learning to individual situations.
- The knowledge of the basic structure and function of human body systems and how health related conditions affect these body systems enhance the practitioner's ability to assist in meeting an individual's basic human needs.
- Awareness of self, values, beliefs, and limitations are integral to optimal skill development.
- Practitioners are responsible to conduct themselves in a legal, ethical and caring manner.
- Practitioner's levels of skill are enhanced by applying theoretical concepts to actual lab practice in a controlled, supervised and "safe" setting, with their peers.
Means of Assessment
This course will conform to Douglas College policy regarding the number and weighting of evaluations.
- Quizzes
- Case Studies
- Skill Testing
Learning Outcomes
1. Support the self-determination of individuals receiving personal assistance through skill demonstration.
- Respects individual privacy and autonomy
- Seeks informed consent for personal assistance activities
- Analyzes ethical limits of personal assistance practice
- Seeks feedback regarding personal assistance skill competence
- Uses touch appropriately
- Advocates for individuals that receive support
2. Anticipate and prevent potential health problems for individuals receiving personal assistance.
- Assesses each individual and situation using critical thinking and a decision making process
- Uses knowledge of wellness and body systems to provide timely and appropriate assistance
- Explores disability and aging and the implications for providing personal assistance
- Communicates with team members regarding changes in assistance situation
- Consults and refers when appropriate
- Apply knowledge, critical thinking and analytic reasoning in health care planning
3. Demonstrate proper safety awareness while supporting other’s personal care.
- Washes hands and uses principles of cleanliness when providing personal assistance
- Uses proper body mechanics while moving self and others
- Explains legal limits of personal assistance practice
- Reports and records safety and health concerns
- Explains the use and maintenance of personal assistance aids and equipment
4. Provide individualized personal assistance to others.
- Considers how the major principles of personal assistance are incorporated into each skill
- Reviews and practices steps in personal assistance procedures
- Adapts procedures to suit the individual and situation, using a decision making process and the Basic Principles of Care