Unit 5

Minimum Number of Hours: Theory 6, Clinical 4

Statement of Purpose

The purpose of this unit is to provide learning experiences for the HHA that will enable them to maintain a clean, safe, and healthy environment for the home care client. Consideration for the client, the client’s home, and family is emphasized. This unit presents information on environmental safety as well as procedures and guidelines for completing household tasks.

Performance Standards (Objectives)

Upon completion of six (6) hours of class plus assignments and four (4) hours of clinical experience, the learner will be able to do the following:

1. Define the terminology.
2. Describe the HHA’s role and responsibility for maintaining a clean, safe, and healthy environment.
3. Describe key principles for maintaining a safe home environment.
4. Identify appropriate procedures, equipment, and supplies for household tasks including alternatives to use when resources are limited.
5. Discuss the procedure for washing and drying dishes.
6. Describe methods of laundering household and personal items.
7. Identify guidelines for organizing household tasks.

Learner Activities/Assignments

1. Small group exercise: Laundry sorting. Working in pairs to sort types of laundry followed by a discussion of appropriate laundry procedure.

Teaching Strategies

Classroom lecture

Handout: Home Safety List (p. 123-124)

Manual skills demonstration:

• dishwashing (p. 125)
• handling of laundry (p. 126)

References

Balduzzi, S., & Spatz, A. Homemaker Home Health Aide, 6th Edition. CliftonPark, NY: Thomson Delmar Learning, 2005.

Certified Nurse Assistant Model Curriculum (2nd ed.). (2004). Sacramento, CA: California Community College Chancellor’s Office.

Fuzy, J. & Leahy, W. (2005). The home health aide handbook (2nd ed.). Albuquerque, NM: Hartman Publishing Inc.

Zucker, E. & Ebrite, L.J. Being a Home maker/Home Health Aide, 5rd edition, Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall: 2006

Unit 5: Cleaning and Care Task in the Home

Handout: Home Safety

The home is frequently seen as a “ safe ” place, but the home can have many hazards to personal safety. The following list describes ideal conditions for safety. In some homes existing structure does not allow for modifications (narrow hallways) and may require adaptation of home equipment/procedures. In other situations, the HHA’s knowledge of methods to improve a client’s safety could be brought to the team and or the family’s attention so that equipment or modifications could be made (e.g., grab bars). In some situations the home health aide could carry out safety modifications (e.g., remove clutter from stairs).

Bedroom

1. Lights should be easy to reach and there should be night lights or a flashlight at the bedside.
2. There should be an adequately lighted path from the bedroom to the bathroom.
3. The bed and mattress should be in good condition at a height to allow easy transfer.
4. If used, rugs should be non-skid.

Bathroom

1. Cords, appliances, and outlets should be a safe distance from sinks and tubs.
2. Water temperature is identified and preset at 140-160 º F on water heater thermostat, or easily regulated by a single handle faucet.
3. Medications are clearly labeled and properly stored.
4. Tub and shower should have rubber mats, non-skid surfaces, or strips.
5. Grab bars should be present on the wall or side of tub/shower and toilet.
6. Floor rugs should be non-skid or floor surface should be safe, especially if water is present.
7. The toilet should be easy to get on and off, or a raised toilet seat should be available.
8. Bathroom doors should be wide enough for wheelchairs (minimum 32″).

Hallways, Stairs, Entrances

1. Stairs and hallways should be free of clutter.
2. Carpet and rugs should be well fastened down.
3. Stairways should have handrails on both sides within arm’s reach.
4. Handrails should allow the hand to wrap easily around the rail (round, several inches from wall).
5. Halls and stairs should have lights that can be turned on and off at each end.
6. Each step should be easily identified (edge painted with white strip).
7. Steps should have non-skid surface or tread.

Kitchen

1. Lighting should be bright and without glare.
2. Rugs or mats should be non-skid.
3. Floor surface should not be waxed, or waxed with non-skid wax and in good repair.
4. Dials on stove and other appliance should be legible and on/off positions clearly marked.
5. Commonly used items should be stored where they are easily reachable (waist to shoulder height).
6. Electrical circuits should not be overloaded with too many appliances or cords.
7. Stove tops should be free of flammable material (i.e., towels, pot holders)
8. Pot holders should be within reach of the oven and stove.
9. Kitchen table and chairs should be sturdy and in good repair.
10. A sturdy step ladder should be available for reaching.

Living room

1. Fireplace and heater should have protective screens.
2. Furniture should be designed to allow easy transfer on and off (armrests).
3. Furniture should be sturdy and able to provide support if someone leans on them.
4. Arrangements of furniture should allow for easy movement throughout the room.
5. Footstools and other low objects should be out of the path of walking.
6. Carpet should be well secured.

General

1. Telephones should have large or lighted dials with emergency numbers programmed or visibly posted.
2. Electrical cords and appliances should be in good repair.
3. Smoke detectors should be located at recommended locations in the home (kitchen, bedroom).
4. There should be alternative exits from the house in case of a fire.

Unit 5: Cleaning and Care Tasks in the Home

Manual Skill: Dishwashing

EQUIPMENT:

dish drainer
dishwashing detergent/dishwasher soap
dishcloth/sponge
dish towel
nylon scrubber/brush
scouring pad
cleanser

CRITERIA:

1. Pick up dishes and take to kitchen.
2. Scrape any food from dishes.
3. Utilize garbage disposal when available.
   • Check garbage disposal for foreign objects before turning it on.
   • Use ample running water.
   • Do not allow bones, hard or stringy vegetables, banana peels, potatoes, eggshells, fruit pits, silverware, or wash rags to get into the garbage disposal.
   • Utilize trash can for objects that should not go in garbage disposal.
4. Separate dishes requiring hand washing.
5. If using a dishwasher:
   • Remove clean items and store appropriately.
   • Rinse dirty dishes and place in correct positions.
   • Pay special attention to placement of plastics and top rack items.
   • If full, add dishwashing soap and turn on.
6. When washing dishes by hand:
   • Use gloves and hot, soapy water.
   • Wash least dirty items first.
   • Handle delicate glassware and breakable dishes carefully.
   • Use scouring cleansers on pots and pans only.
7. Rinse well and place in dish drainer.
8. Allow items to air dry or dry with towel.
9. Store items in appropriate places.
10. Rinse sponge or dishcloth as applicable.

Unit 5: Cleaning and Care Tasks in the Home

Manual Skill: Laundering Household and Personal Items

EQUIPMENT:

detergent
bleach
fabric softener
stain remover
iron
ironing board
gloves (if necessary)
clothes pins/clothes line

CRITERIA:

1. Gather soiled laundry.
2. Check for needed repairs.
3. Repair if needed.
4. Check pockets, remove any loose items.
5. Treat stains with stain remover according to the type of soiling and product directions.
6. Sort laundry into groups according to colors and washing instructions on the label, e.g., cold, warm, or hot water wash.
7. Items without instructions may be sorted according to the following guidelines:
   • Delicate items may need to be washed separately by hand in warm or cool water.
   • Dark colors should be washed separately.
   • Whites should be washed together and bleached if patient desires.
   • Permanent-press/light colored items should be washed together according to product instructions.
   • Heavily soiled items may need presoaking or additional washing.
8. Select the appropriate settings on the washing machine for items to be washed.
9. Place appropriate amount of detergent and/or bleach for load in the washer.
10. Place items in the washer loosely.
11. Close lid and start the machine.
12. Remove from washing machine promptly when cycle finished.
13. Sort clothing according to drying needs, e.g., hand to dry, lay flat, dryer.
14. Select dryer temperature according to fabric or label.
15. Add fabric softener if using type for dryer.
16. Remove from dryer promptly, fold, hang or iron, and place in storage area.
17. Iron articles as needed.
    • Never leave iron unattended.
    • Use appropriate settings for fabric.
    • Determine if water is needed for steam ironing.
    • Unplug iron when finished and store.