Home Skills Training Modules to Assist Direct Care Workers
The Michigan Office of Services to the Aging announces the new web-based Home Skills Enhancement Training Modules for direct care workers (DCW) in the areas of household cleaning, meal planning and shopping, and food safety and meal preparation for older adults. This new set of tools was developed to help those providing hands-on care to better serve older adults in their homes.
Many older adults have different expectations surrounding household tasks than younger generations because they grew up without technology such as dishwashers, vacuum cleaners, and refrigeration. These modules will assist those who provide services and care to older adults learn new approaches to in-home management and strengthen their confidence in providing positive person-centered service. Direct care workers learn to better serve older adults based on the older person's routines and expectations. Curricula modules have been developed in these three areas:
Cleaning the Home of Older Adults reviews the culture of cleaning, communication strategies, setting priorities in cleaning, including professional boundary issues and a detailed work plan with tips on how to properly clean each room.
Meal Planning and Shopping for Older Adults includes meal preferences, nutritional information, and strategies for meal planning and shopping.
Food Safety and Meal Preparation for Older Adults provides an overview of food safety and the proper handling and storing of food.
While these modules were developed for DCWs, they also provide valuable information for others working with older adults or persons with disabilities. The Home Skills Enhancement Training Modules were developed by Community Services Network of Michigan, Michigan State University, MSU Extension, and the Michigan Office of Services to the Aging. The project was funded by the Office of Services to the Aging and a MSU Extension Families and Communities Together grant.