HCAP 105 Healing 1: Caring for Individuals Experiencing Common Health Challenges

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, the learner will be able to:

1. display an understanding of the structure and function of the human body and normal changes associated with aging: • Describe the organization of the human body: cells, tissues and organs. • Describe the structure and functions of the major body systems. • Discuss the natural changes in each system associated with aging.
2. display a sound understanding of common challenges to health and healing: • Discuss the experience of illness, disability and common challenges to healing. • Discuss the experience of chronic illness and implications for care. • Describe the common health challenges related to each body system: o Integumentary o Musculo-skeletal o Cardiovascular o Respiratory o Digestive o Urinary o Reproductive o Endocrine o Neurological o Sensory Challenges o Multi-organ (cancer, AIDS) o Describe common developmental health challenges.
3. discuss nutrition as it relates to healing: • Discuss nutrition in relation to common health challenges. • Identify components of common special diets. • Identify community resources to support clients’ dietary needs.
4. describe ways to organize, administer and evaluate person-centered care and service for clients experiencing common health challenges: • Discuss person-centered/caring approaches appropriate for specific health challenges. • Describe aspects of critical thinking and problem solving that should be utilized when caring for individuals experiencing common health challenges.
5. demonstrate an understanding of the components of person-centered, end-of-life care for clients/residents and families: • Discuss the philosophy and principles of care used in hospice and palliative care settings. • Describe caring and problem solving as these relate to end-of-life care in facilities and community settings. • Discuss elements of legal/ethical practice in end-of-life care. • Describe common reactions/experiences as people approach death. • Discuss physical, emotional, cognitive and spiritual needs of the dying person and appropriate interventions. • Discuss common reactions of family members and ways to support the family. • Describe processes involved in the care of the body after death. • Discuss the effects of a client’s death on the health care workers involved in the dying process. • Display an understanding of the importance of and ways to provide self-care for the care-giver following a death.