The primary task of caregivers is to ensure that the clients are looked after properly.

In the
case of caregiving for the elderly, this task must be taken on delicately and responsibly.
Caregivers for the elderly look after the clients’ emotional, physical, social, and mental
wellbeing. Aside from that, they provide relief to family members who have been previously
taking care of elderly family members.

There are usually three (3) setups where caregivers work. Caregivers can work in the home of
the client, in a hospital, or in a care facility (home for the aged).

Click the left or right side of the image to view the duties and responsibilities of the three (3)
types of caregivers.

1. 24 Hour Home Care. (2017, Jan 28). The Top Roles and Responsibilities of an Elderly
Caregiver. 24 Hour Home Care. https://medium.com/@24HourHomeCare/the-top-roles-
and-responsibilities-of-an-elderly-caregiver-e894ed9baa8a
2. A Summary of RA No. 10173 or the Data Privacy Act of 2012. (n.d.). ECCI. Retrieved
May 3, 2021 from https://eccinternational.com/ra-10173-data-privacy-summary/
3. An Act Instituting Policies for the Protection and Welfare of Caregivers in the Practice of
their Profession, Senate Bill No. 2261 (May 28, 2004)
(Phil.), http://legacy.senate.gov.ph/lisdata/1922716351!.pdf
4. Brisbane, F.L. (n.d.). A Code of Ethics for Caregivers. Stony Brook
Medicine. https://socialwelfare.stonybrookmedicine.edu/sites/default/files/Revised
%20Code%20of%20Ethics%20for%20Caregivers--4-1-13.pdf
5. Caregiver Code of Ethics. (n.d.). Montana State Legislature. Retrieved May 3, 2021,
from https://leg.mt.gov/content/Committees/Interim/2009_2010/Children_Family/
Emerging-Issue/mmga-presentation-code-of-ethics-aug2010.pdf
6. Caregiver Job Description. (n.d.). Betterteam. Retrieved May 3, 2021,
from https://www.betterteam.com/caregiver-job-description
7. Caregiving at the Hospital. (2019, September). Cancer.Net. Retrieved May 3, 2021, from
https://www.cancer.net/coping-with-cancer/caring-loved-one/caregiving-hospital
8. Caretakers and domestic workers: Taiwan splits the job . (2015, Oct 30). TWC2.
Retrieved May 3, 2021, from https://twc2.org.sg/2015/10/30/caretakers-and-domestic-
workers-taiwan-splits-the-job/#:~:text=Caretakers%20take%20care%20of%20the,to
%20hire%20a%20migrant%20caretaker
9. Data Privacy FAQs. (n.d.). Data Privacy Philippines. Retrieved May 3, 2021,
from https://www.privacy.com.ph/learn-data-privacy-compliance/data-privacy-faqs/
10. Disini & Disini Law Office. (n.d.). The Anti-Photo and Video Voyeurism Act of 2009: A
Primer. Data Privacy Philippines. https://www.privacy.com.ph/the-anti-photo-and-video-
voyeurism-act-of-2009-a-primer/#:~:text=The%20law%20prohibits%20recording
%20videos,persons%20featured%20in%20the%20material
11. Geriatric Care Principles. (2006, April). California Healthcare Foundation. Retrieved May
3, 2021, from https://www.chcf.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/PDF-
FFGeriatricCare.pdf
 12. Personal Support Worker (PSW) in Canada. (n.d.). Onip.online. Retrieved May 3, 2021,
from http://www.onip.ca/personal-support-worker/
13. Republic Act 10173-Data Privacy Act of 2012. (n.d.). National Privacy Commission.
Retrieved May 3, 2021, from https://www.privacy.gov.ph/data-privacy-act/
14. Republic Act 9995: Anti-Photo and Video Voyeurism Act of 2009 . (n.d.). Philippine
Commission on Women. Retrieved May 3, 2021, from https://pcw.gov.ph/republic-act-
9995-anti-photo-and-video-voyeurism-act-of-2009/#:~:text=(d)
%20%E2%80%9CPhoto%20or%20video,s%20has%2Fhave%20a%20reasonable
15. TESDA. (n.d.) Caregivers: Special Breed of Health Workers (Issue No.
15). TESDA. https://tesda.gov.ph/About/TESDA/67
16. Western Illinois University. (2018, August). Patient Rights and Responsibilities. Western
Illinois University. http://www.wiu.edu/student_services/beu_health_center/rights.php
17. What Is A Caregiver?. (n.d.) Johns Hopkins Medicine. Retrieved May 3, 2021,
from https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/about/community_health/johns-hopkins-
bayview/services/called_to_care/what_is_a_caregiver.html
18. Yumol, D.T. (2020, Nov. 24). House approves Caregivers Welfare Act on final reading .
CNN Philippines. https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2020/11/24/House-approves-
Caregivers-Welfare-Act-on-final-reading.html

Semantic Barriers
o Refer to the hindrance in the process of encoding and decoding messages into
words or impressions usually due to the use of wrong words, use of jargon,
language differences, and the difficulty in understanding unfamiliar accents
Psychological Barriers
o Refer to the psychological factors that interfere with the communication process,
such as the sender’s and receiver’s state of mind and emotions when the
communication took place

Organizational Barriers
o These barriers are pertaining to factors related to the organizational structure, rules,
and regulations in the company, authority relationships, etc. The presence of rigid
rules, regulations and unmanageable procedures inhibits workers from
communicating freely.

Personal Barriers
o The sender’s and receiver’s personal factors and preferences can act as a barrier to
effective communication. Prejudices, high expectations, and differences in points of
view lead to misinterpretation or lack of openness to the information being shared.

TOPIC 1: Obtaining, Conveying, and Storing Workplace Information

Appropriate Medium of Communication in the Workplace

 1. Memorandum - workplace document intended to point out and resolve the issue

Circular - formal and official letter addressed to a group of people in the workplace, a
department, or a whole organization

Notice - short formal documents that are sent to send urgent or important matters.

4. Information Discussion

5. Follow-up or Verbal Instructions

6. Face to Face Communication

TOPIC 1: Obtaining, Conveying, and Storing Workplace Information

Storage of Communication

Storing data can be done through two systems: the manual filing system and the computer
filing system.

Drag the image slider to learn the difference between the two systems.

Storing Organizational Information

After collecting and assessing information for relevance to the activities of the organization,
they are usually stored for future use, or passed on to another person for use within the
organization. It is important to store the records in their appropriate place after use in order for
them to be easily located when needed again. Since records can be stored for many years, the
storage system needs to keep records in good condition, secure and accessible. Your
organization may have different systems for storing print documents, electronic documents,
confidential documents, and archive documents. Archives are old documents that are kept in
long-term storage. These documents cannot be destroyed, for legal or other reasons, before a
specified date.

In the health care industry, there is a lot of information that must be kept confidential such as
the client’s name, date of birth, age, sex and address, medical history, and guardianship orders.
Because of this, organizations have developed policies and procedures that aim to store and
disclose information based on privacy legislation and regulations.
Information Storage Protocols

Organizations establish policies and procedures that intend to handle and safely keep their
documents and records. This involves documentation, methods of filing and retrieval, the
release of information, and maintenance of confidentiality.

The following are examples of relevant information storage policies:

 Record keeping policy

 Access policy for confidential information
 Record disposal policy
 Confidentiality policy
 Privacy policy

Using Databases

A database is the structured collection of data. Examples of databases include sets of client
records saved on a computer or kept in files or folders in a cabinet or contact details or records
kept on an index card system. A protocol in naming the files and storing them in appropriate
folders must be established to help the employees locate and access the files they need.

Be it in a physical or digital format, the information used must be up-to-date and accurate. The
information must also be managed well because its maintenance can get difficult and critical
when they become accessible to a lot of users. Hence, there must be a time-efficient, simple,
and effective system that the organization can use to ensure the accuracy of data. In addition,
employees must be aware of their responsibilities in ensuring the maintenance of the system.

Communicating with a Supervisor/Department Head

It is inevitable to communicate with bosses, supervisors and department heads, but it does not
need to feel intimidating. Here are some tips to communicate with them effectively:
o Be direct, and avoid saying unnecessary things. Doing so shows that you respect
their time.
o Schedule an appointment with them. This also shows respect for their time since you
are acknowledging that they may not be available all the time.
o Present visual representations and numbers when reporting to support your data.
o Be prepared with an agenda by planning what you want to say and making a list.
This is helpful in avoiding giving incomplete data.
o Be solution-focused. When you raise a problem, think already about how that
problem will be solved.

Self-Regulation Theory

The self-regulation theory (SRT) details the components and processes in deciding on your
thoughts, feelings, words, and actions. The SRT posits that the following factors determine our
behavior:
  Personal standards of good behavior
 Our drive to meet those standards
 Our level of awareness of our actions and situation
 Range of our willpower to avoid temptations and choose the best path

Four Components of SRT according to Roy Baumeister

1. Standards - of desirable behavior;

2. Motivation - to meet standards;
3. Monitoring - of situations and thoughts that precede breaking standards;
4. Willpower - allowing one’s internal strength to control urges.

These four components are interconnected to help establish our self-regulatory activity.

An empathy map is a tool used to help you better understand your clients and their needs. It
has four (4) quadrants that signify key traits that clients demonstrated during the observation
or research stage, such as what they said, did, thought, and felt. The following are steps in
empathy mapping:

Step 1: Fill up the empathy map

 Create 4 quadrants on a board or paper

 Look back on your notes, videos, and other recordings of the research or observation,
and take note of the following:

o What the client said - include significant quotes and keywords

o What the client did - describe, illustrate, or take pictures of actions or behaviors

o What the client thought of - this must be based on careful observation and
analysis about the client’s thoughts, motivations, goals, needs, desires, and
beliefs

o How the client felt - this must also be carefully tackled. This can be gauged
through subtle cues like body language, choice of words and tone of voice.

Step 2: Synthesize the needs

 Make a synthesis of your client’s needs using the empathy map as your reference to
help you determine your design challenge.

 Remember that the needs must be verbs or action words, which signify activities and
desires.
  Determine your client’s needs using your observed traits, more specifically the
contradiction between two traits. This refers to the disconnect between what the client
says and what the client does.

 You may use Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs to help you understand and define
your client’s underlying needs. Refer to this hierarchy also to determine which need
must be prioritized:

LESSON 5: Occupational Health and Safety Policies and Procedures

Occupational safety and health (OHS) standards are a set of rules established to reduce,
remove or replace hazards in the workplace and minimize their effects. Organizations benefit
from these standards because they help look after the employees’ health, therefore making
them more productive. Employers are required to adopt such standards to ensure the safety of
their employees.

Caregivers not only have the responsibility to maintain a safe environment for their clients, but
they are also tasked to comply with these standards to keep themselves, their colleagues, and
others protected from hazards and risks.

In this lesson, we will learn about OSH policies and procedures, how to manage hazards and
risks in the workplace, and how to exercise efficient, effective, and sustainable practices in the
workplace.

TOPIC 2: Identifying, Controlling and Preventing Workplace Hazards and Risks

In the caregiving industry, there are numerous health and safety hazards that you may
encounter, namely:

 Risk of illness or infection caused by blood or bodily fluids exposure when changing
diapers, administering first aid, etc.
 Risk of getting exposed to infectious diseases if you work closely with infected persons
or in areas with infected persons
 Getting exposed to chemicals in household cleaning products
 Getting exposed to soiled linen
 Working in awkward postures or doing tasks repetitively
 Risk of getting injured from lifting or carrying heavy loads
 Slipping, tripping, and falling
 Working with needles, sharp knives, and other potentially hazardous tools
 Getting burnt from ovens, deep fryers, and steam from pots
  Stress
 Getting fatigued or experiencing other health due to long hours of work or shift work
 Working alone
 Workplace violence

Here are some steps you can take to prevent these hazards from happening:

Biodegradable
o These are organic materials that decompose through composting or another similar
process; placed in green waste containers/bins.
o Examples:
o Kitchen/Food Waste (leftover food, fruit/vegetable peelings)
o Garden Waste (fallen leaves and twigs)
o Agricultural Waste (trimmings and other organic waste generated from
planting and harvesting crops)
o Livestock Waste (feathers, manures, and bedding materials)

Recyclables
o These are waste materials that can be recovered and/or reused; placed in blue
containers.
o Examples:
o Tin cans
o Plastic bottles
o Aluminum and other scrap metal
o Glass containers
o Newspaper, cardboard, and office paper
Residual Wastes with Potential for Recycling
o These are recyclable wastes that cannot be sold in local junk shops or recycling
markets; placed in gray containers or garbage bins
o Examples:
o tarpaulins
o leathers
o tetra packs
o rubber slippers

Residual Wastes for Disposal

o These are non-compostable and non-recyclable wastes; placed in black waste bins
o Examples:
o cigarette butts
 o paper cups
o soiled diapers
o sanitary napkins

Hazardous Wastes
o These are waste materials that are toxic or that pose potential danger; placed in red
waste containers
o Examples:
o paints
o solvents
o cleaning and polishing chemicals
o oils and fuels
o batteries
o pesticides
o lighting and home appliances
o electronics
Healthcare Wastes
o These are waste materials used in medical or healthcare procedures. The
Department of Health regulates healthcare wastes from hospitals, clinics, and other
healthcare units. Healthcare wastes generated in households or offices such as used
face masks and surgical gloves are placed in properly-labeled yellow containers.
o Examples:
o soiled bandages
o used PPE
o discarded needles and scalpel
o swabs

TOPIC 3: Exercising Efficient and Effective Sustainable Practices in the Workplace

Energy Conservation

Conservation is the process of reducing demand on a limited supply and enabling that supply to
begin to rebuild itself. Many times the best way to do this is to replace the energy used with an
alternate source. It is important to practice energy conservation to avoid the depletion of
natural resources.

Here are some electricity-saving tips from the Department of Energy:

1. Regularly maintain air-conditioners

2. Turn off the lights when not needed
3. Use LED lights
4. Unplug unused electric appliances
 5. Clean your fridge and avoid opening it longer than necessary

LESSON 1: Implementing and Monitoring Infection Control Policies and Procedures

To do: View

Infectious diseases are illnesses caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, or other
organisms. These organisms that cause infectious diseases are called pathogens.

Causes of Infectious Diseases:

 Bacteria - single-celled organisms that can cause disorders like strep throat, urinary
tract infection, and tuberculosis
 Viruses - organisms smaller than a bacteria that can cause many different diseases,
from common colds to AIDS and COVID-19
 Fungi - organisms that can cause many skin diseases such as ringworm and athlete’s
foot, and can also cause infections in the lungs or nervous system
 Parasites - organisms that latch onto a host organism and cause illnesses like malaria

Such organisms are usually harmless or even helpful but can cause diseases under specific
situations.

The infection can be manifested by different signs and symptoms depending on the organism
causing the infection. Fever and fatigue are the usual symptoms.

Mild infectious diseases can be treated by resting and other home remedies. However, severe
infections may require hospitalization.

Vaccines and frequent and thorough hand washing can help protect you from some infectious
diseases.

Working in healthcare facilities makes us exposed to different kinds of infection and at risk of
acquiring them. This lesson will help us learn information, policies and procedures, performance
monitoring, and implementation of infection control so that we can have the necessary skills
and understanding needed to prevent us and our clients from getting infected.

TOPIC 2: Reporting and Reviewing Incidents

An incident is generally any event that affects the safety of patients and employees. The
following are examples of incidents in healthcare facilities:

 Injuries
  Patient complaints
 Medication errors
 Equipment failure
 Adverse reactions to drugs or treatments
 Errors in patient care

Given the gravity of these situations and the effects they may imply, it is crucial to report such
incidents.

An incident report is a form that documents all illnesses, injuries, near misses, accidents, etc.
that happen in the workplace. It must be completed at the time of the situation and presented
in a non-blaming way. Incident reports help identify errors in a system, and thus bring
improvement in practices or procedures.

Human Anatomy

First aid administrators need to be familiar with the anatomy of the human body. Human
anatomy refers to the study of the structure of the human body. Being familiar with this can
help us apply basic first aid more efficiently and use the correct medical terms to lead toward a
more effective communication with the patient and medical care providers.

Participating in the Implementation and Monitoring of Client's

Care Plan

Introduction

The family of your 68-year-old client, Mrs. Alyan Cruz, told you that she has several
illnesses that need to be treated. Because of this, Mrs. Alyan Cruz would need a caregiver
who is always focused, well-organized, and has appropriate plans in giving services for the
client. What do you think you should do to be properly prepared in giving the best service to
your clients?
To be prepared in taking care of someone, you should start by creating an organized
routine and daily tasks.

A care plan is a detailed form that lists the caregiver’s scheduled routine services and tasks
based on priority. It summarizes clients’ needs, health conditions, and current treatments
caregivers need to perform within their specified shift. A care plan should also contain
information about clients’ medical conditions, medications, different physical therapy
activities, dietary or meal plans, healthcare providers/insurance, emotional support
treatment, and emergency contacts. Through the organization provided by the care plan,
clients' hospitalizations and emergency room visits may be reduced, and their medical
management may also be improved.

Caregivers need to have care plans so they can provide consistent and quality service to
their clients. In making care plans, it is important to set goals in a SMARTER approach:

With this, caregivers can easily know what to do daily, especially in the event of an
emergency. Aside from that, a care plan can help you lead a more healthy life for yourself. It
can provide you with a more organized work and schedule which can also lessen your
stress. This can also allow you to contribute effective and high-standard service for your
clients that may give them full satisfaction with your performance.

TOPIC 2: Client's Chart

Hospitals, clinics, and other health establishments usually ask for a patient’s or clients’
personal information upon entry. Medical providers do this so they can easily access or
record your personal information in their system. This document is called a clients’ record

A. Client's Record

In a hospital, a client's record is usually recorded in a logbook upon arriving. It is divided

into different sections or tabs. The following are the several elements that a client’s record
must have:
TOPIC 3: Risk Management Plan

In one way or another, we are all at risk of something. Whether we are at home, in malls, in
our workplace, or even while on vacation, risks are present. But what is a risk? Risk refers
to the chance of people or properties experiencing negative effects due to exposure to
certain threats and dangers. When learning about risks, we must keep in mind that
prevention is one of the most effective ways in managing risks.

Because risks exist to clients, staff, and organizations in the healthcare setting, it is
mandatory for healthcare organizations to establish a qualified risk management plan. A risk
management plan is a clinical and administrative system, process, and report used to
detect, monitor, assess, and prevent risks. It has a five-step approach, namely:

(1) Identifying hazards and those at risk - knowing which risks should be included and
the people who can be affected

(2) Evaluating and prioritizing risks - assessing which risk must be discussed first based
on priority

(3) Deciding on preventive action - identifying precautionary measures

(4) Taking action - applying the preventive action to avoid risks from happening

(5) Monitoring and reviewing - regular checking, reporting, and recording need to be a
part of the plan.

After familiarizing yourself with these steps, you should also learn the different elements
that a risk management plan should have. Here they are:

To clients, the risk management plan can be a safeguard. Older people face a lot of risks,
which include physical abuse, psychological abuse, financial abuse, self-abuse, and
neglect. Other than these abuses, other common risks for seniors are transportation, crime,
and confidentiality. These risks should be addressed and included in the risk management
plan to prevent future harm and provide protection for clients.

To the organization, the safeguard of their assets, market share, accreditation,

reimbursement levels, brand value, and community standing are some of the significance of
a risk management plan for them.
A good healthcare risk management plan should be frequently updated based on emerging
risks, lessons learned, new data, and changes in the healthcare system and practice of
medicine.