Supportive Assistance

Description

Practice safe and supportive assistance to promote client independence during activities of daily living; implementation of practices to maintain a clean and organized client care environment; demonstration of appropriate use of touch while providing supportive assistance.

Objectives

• Promoting client independence
  • Explain the importance of respecting the independence and autonomy of clients
  • Encourage independence, self-care, and self-esteem of the client as much as possible through caregiving or assisting activities
  • Support clients' personal preferences and choices
  • Understand the balance of power in supportive care relationships with clients
  • ​​​​​Assist client with personal care in a safe, competent, and organized manner
• Appropriate use of touch
  • Describe what touch is, the benefits of touch, and the different zones of touch that a Supportive Care Assistant will be using
  • Identify the different types of abuse
• Maintain a clean and organized environment
  • Support the health care team by maintaining a clean and organized environment
  • Assess the client and the environment before tidying
  • Adjust environments, as appropriate, to ensure safety and to promote efficiency
  • Understand the importance of cleaning equipment after use and returning to an appropriate place
• Assisting with ambulation; use of aids
  • Describe what is ambulation, assisted ambulation, and the benefits of ambulation
  • Know how to identify and set up mobility aids such as cane and walker
  • Discuss safety considerations for ambulation
  • Assist the client with movement and ambulation, such as escorting or walking alongside the client
  • Recognize the parts of ambulation that are out of scope, such as lifts, transfers, or positioning and turning clients in bed
  • Understand basic body mechanics and demonstrate safe lifting techniques
• Assisting a client at mealtime
  • State food handling methods that would reduce the risk of spoilage or contamination
  • Assist with mealtime set up, resulting in an attractive and pleasant environment
  • Encourage socialization at mealtimes
  • Learn about dietary concerns such as special diets and allergies