Section 11.404. Program staff training guidelines

(a) To assist centers in complying with § 11.33 (relating to program staff orientation and training) and to ensure that they provide general orientation, annual and enhancement training designed to ensure basic skills and knowledge, to introduce new skills and knowledge and to enhance professional competencies, centers should consider using the following training topics:

(1) Program assistant/aide recommended topics.

(i) Special needs due to normal changes in the aging process—sensory changes, hydration, developmental needs, and the like.

(ii) Special needs due to disability and chronic illness—rehabilitation, psychosocial aspects, orientation strategies, remotivation, and the like.

(iii) Facilitating functions of clients with: sensory changes, decreased ability to perform activities of daily living, physical, emotional and cognitive problems, and the like.

(iv) Recreational activities.

(v) Death and dying; the grief process.

(vi) Communication and interpersonal skills—active listening, documentation, stress management for staff, clients, and caregivers, coping skills, and the like.

(vii) The older adult daily living centers (OADLC) working environment—safety issues (protecting clients and staff members), handling emergencies, fire safety, and the like.

(viii) Personal care—dietary needs, body mechanics, medications and substance abuse, and the like.

(ix) The interdisciplinary team approach to OADLC.

(x) Confidentiality and the rights of the older person.

(2) Activities coordinator recommended topics.

(i) Group process and group dynamics.

(ii) Supervisory skills development.

(iii) Therapeutic intervention skills—awareness therapy, reality orientation, sensory stimulation, fantasy validation therapy, and the like.

(iv) Arts and crafts project training.

(v) Leisure counseling—pet therapy, horticultural activities, and the like.

(vi) Community relations—public relations, outreach, fundraising, newsletters, and the like.

(vii) Volunteer supervision.

(3) Nurse recommended topics:

(i) Geriatric medicine—the normal aging process, diseases, body systems, medications, therapies, and the like.

(ii) Information, referral and community outreach.

(iii) Health education—intervening with clients and families or other caregivers.

(iv) Counseling skills.

(v) Training OADLC staff persons in personal care skills.

(vi) Geriatric assessments.

(4) Social/Supportive service worker recommended topics.

(i) Psychosocial aspects of aging.

(ii) Geriatric medicine—medical terminology, the normal aging process, diseases, therapies, understanding effects of medication, and the like.

(iii) Rehabilitation process—preventative care, understanding needs and abilities of clients, therapies, and the like.

(iv) Information and referral community outreach, including fundraising.

(v) Leisure/therapeutic recreation.

(vi) Reality orientation.

(vii) Facilitator skills for the interdisciplinary team.

(viii) Interpersonal skills.

(ix) Staff education—Advocacy for clients, confidentiality, understanding motivation and change, evaluative techniques to prioritize client problems in social, physical and mental health areas, and the like.

(5) Program director/administrator recommended topics.

(i) Medical and psycho-social needs of clients.

(ii) Legal and ethical issues in program management (living wills, avoiding litigation, client rights, and the like).

(iii) Policy and procedures development.

(iv) Management Information Systems.

(v) Sensitivity to cultural diversity.

(vi) Human resources management.

(vii) Marketing and community relations.

(viii) Records and documentation.

(ix) Supervision of staff persons.

(x) Financial management, budgeting and grantsmanship.

(xi) Strategic planning.

(xii) Time management and delegation.

(xiii) Quality assurance.

(xiv) Government relations.

(xv) Board relations.

(xvi) Stress management.

(xvii) Research and publication.

(b) Recommended topics are intentionally stated in broad terms so that they may include many specific subtopics, chosen by a particular center to meet its own needs.

(c) Topics which have been recommended for a specific job function are not necessarily unique to that function, and may also be appropriately chosen for program staff persons performing other job functions.

(d) Suitable training topics are not limited to those recommended under each OADLC staff function. Centers may appropriately choose others.