Lecture
Group discussion/group activities
Audio-visual materials
Case studies
May include other methods (e.g. guest speakers, role play, etc.)
Challenges to Health and Healing
- The experience of chronic illness and disability
- Death
- Multi-organ diseases (cancer, AIDS)
Critical thinking and problem-solving when caring for individuals experiencing common health challenges in community and assisted living settings
- Sources and methods of gathering information.
- Observing client changes.
- Care planning in non-residential settings.
- Evaluation of care.
- Reporting and recording.
Nutrition and healing in the non-residential client
- Preparation of special diets in the home setting.
- Involving the client in meal preparation in the home.
- Cultural aspects of diet.
- Community resources.
Safety in the home setting
- Potential safety risks for care giver and client.
- Observing for infestations of vermin in the home environment and appropriate actions to prevent spread.
End-of-Life Care
- Hospice and palliative care – philosophy and principles of care.
- The Journey of dying – understanding and coming to terms with death and dying.
- Caring and problem-solving as related to palliative care in facilities and in community settings.
- Legal/ethical practice and safety in palliative care.
- Quality of life issues – honouring the individual and family/rituals.
- Common reactions/experiences as people approach death.
- Physical, emotional, cognitive and spiritual needs and appropriate interventions.
- Comfort measures for:
- Pain.
- Breathing challenges.
- Challenges with eating and drinking.
- Dehydration.
- Bowel function.
- Restlessness.
- Delirium.
- Common reactions of family members and ways to support the family.
- The moment of death and care of the body after death.
- Grief and grieving.
- Self-care for the care-giver:
- Personal and professional boundaries.
- Recognizing the impact of loss on the care-giver.
- Recognizing signs of and preventing stress and burnout.
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Display a sound understanding of common challenges to health and healing.
- Discuss the experience of chronic illness and implications for care.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the components of person-centered end-of-life care for clients/residents and families.
- Apply critical thinking and problem-solving when caring for individuals experiencing health challenges in the community and assisted living settings:
- Demonstrate an understanding of nutrition and healing in the non-residential client:
- Discuss safety in home and community settings:
Course evaluation is consistent with Douglas College course evaluation policy. An evaluation schedule is presented at the beginning of the course.
This is a graded course. A minimum mark of 65% is necessary to be successful in the course.
Textbooks and Materials to be Purchased by Students:
A list of recommended textbooks and materials is provided to students at the beginning of the semester.