Caring for a person with dementia can be a complex, trying, and, at times, heartbreaking task. The care needs of a person suffering from dementia become greater and more intimate as they are slowly robbed of their faculties. This course gives dementia caregiver tools to navigate day-to-day care needs, monitor for common health concerns, and keep them engaged, independent and safe, while preserving their dignity and individuality.

The term “dementia” refers to a pattern of features and traits; it is not a disease by itself. Rather, it is associated with many different underlying disorders. The term is used to mean an impairment or loss of mental powers. It consists of two Latin words, which translate to “away” and “mind.”

Dementia causes many areas of intellectual ability to decline, and it is severe enough to interfere with daily functioning of a healthy, alert person. The decline affects many areas such as vocabulary, judgement, reasoning, physical coordination and mathematics.

Postural supports are devices and other tools you may encounter frequently in residential care. Postural supports include anything used to help a person maintain their balance, keep their body in a  certain position, or keep parts of their body aligned properly.
While postural supports can be a useful—and often necessary—tool it is easy for them to be applied incorrectly or misused in ways that are not allowed by CCLD regulations.

Regulations from the California State Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing Division restrict the type of care a person may receive in a licensed residential facility. This course outlines specifically which conditions are restricted (allowed under certain circumstances) and which ones are prohibited entirely.

Hospice care is a specific type of care designed to provide support to the resident and family or caregivers during an advanced illness. Hospice care focuses on comfort and quality of life, rather than cure. The goal of hospice care is to enable the resident to have an alert, pain-free life. Hospice care views death as a natural process.

Medications are a nearly universal aspect of care in a residential facility, and proper management of them is crucial for the health and safety of your residents. This course covers Title 22 regulations regarding medication assistance in order to meet requirements and best practices.

This course will prepare participants from all residential facility types to safely assist with the self-administration of medications by providing a basic understanding of medications in general and by teaching a simple step-by-step approach for preventing errors and producing the best, most healthful outcome for your residents.

House fires are one of the most common and dangerous emergencies in a residential setting. Even the smallest fires can spread quickly.

This course prepares residential care staff for the possibility of a house fire including understanding the basics of fires and how they start, fire prevention, and what to do in case of a fire. In this lesson the caregiver will learn rules to follow for preventing fires and safely dealing with emergency situations, helping them better ensure the safety of those in their care.

Part of your role as a caregiver in a residential facility is mandated reporting, a requirement that you report any known or suspected instances of abuse or neglect.  Whether you work with children, dependent adults, or elder adults, your resident population is vulnerable to abuse or neglect. You are in a position to act as a protector to stop abuse or neglect from happening to the people in your care, and it is your ethical and legal obligation to safeguard their well-being.

In our work, we are guided by 45 personal rights for residents living in privately-owned RCFEs which are the key to providing quality care to residents. Ensuring resident’s rights is a way to provide service that helps people to remain as independent as possible and maintains client dignity.

This section addresses issues for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals living in licensed residential care facilities, including regulations regarding training and rights, defining key terms, LGBTQIA+ rights history, common situations for LGBTQIA+ individuals in residential care, and preparing your facility to welcome LGBTQIA+ residents.

A person’s psychosocial needs are just as important as their physical needs. A resident in a long-term care facility has the same need to feel worthwhile, loved, and secure in their relationships as anyone else. Though for some it may be more difficult, having these needs met can contribute to their overall health and quality of life.

This course discusses the effects of aging on psychosocial well-being, identifies seven dimensions of wellness, and describes practical ways to support the psychosocial needs of residents. Though health and functional capacity decline with age, quality of life does not have to.

Activities of daily living (ADLs) are the common, everyday, learned activities that people perform to maintain their health and wellness. A resident in assisted living will probably require some level of assistance with their ADLs. This course provides step-by-step guidelines as well as tips and tricks for helping residents get through their daily care routines.

Changes caused by aging can be found in all of the body’s cells, tissues, and organs. Because the systems of the body, all work together, these age-related changes affect one another. Though not everyone ages in the same way, this course will review these changes system by system.

Many of those living in residential care are more vulnerable to health issues than average. This module describes some of the more common health problems you’ll come across in a residential care facility, along with ways to help your residents cope with them.

All residents need the chance to express their thoughts and feelings. It is important to remember that because of the dementia, they also need additional time in order to express themselves. Caregivers should speak in simple, direct language. The use of gestures, pictures, verbal cues and written words are also a big help in communicating with residents.

As dementia advances, the person’s communication ability will become impaired. Caregivers must understand residents’ communication abilities and aid compensation.

All residents need the chance to express their thoughts and feelings. It is important to remember that because of the dementia, they also need more time in order to express themselves. Caregivers should speak in simple, direct language. The use of gestures, pictures, verbal cues and written words are also a big help in communicating with residents.

As dementia advances, the person’s communication ability will become impaired. Caregivers must identify residents’ communication abilities and assist them in compensating.

This section helps the administrator understand how dementia affects the daily activities of a resident. It provides tips and techniques to assist residents with dementia while helping them to maintain their independence and dignity.

In this course you’ll find basic information about some of the most common illnesses found in residential care settings, including:

• Influenza
• RSV
• COVID-19
• Norovirus
• c. difficile
• Staph/MRSA

The information found here is intended for general knowledge for specific infectious diseases.

The residents and staff in long-term care facilities are at higher risk of infection than the average population. Infections in healthcare settings account for as many as 380,000 deaths each year. Infections add to health care costs, increase hospitalizations, and lower your residents’ quality of life.

For these reasons, infection control must be one of the primary goals of care in your facility. This course reviews the regulatory requirements and best practices for infection prevention.