Curriculum

The Schmieding Home Caregiver Training program uses a formally written curriculum, designed by nurses, to teach both the certified and family caregiver courses. Each manual is comprehensive and contains everything the instructor needs to teach a class. The use of a formal curriculum ensures that every student receives consistent information throughout all levels of training and helps maintain the integrity of the program from one location to the next.

The Schmieding certified curriculum meets both federal and Arkansas state training requirements for both home health and nursing home care. It also incorporates the Arkansas state training requirements for personal care assistant and home health aide. The curriculum is uniquely designed to teach individuals to care for older adult in the home.

In-Home Assistant (IHA)

The In-Home Assistant course contains 40 hours of content (ten 4 hour modules) and provides basic instruction on caregiving in the home.  Participants receive information and skills training on topics necessary for providing support and assistance to older adults requiring minimal to moderate assistance.  The course focuses heavily on the “hands-on” personal skills needed to care for someone requiring minimum to moderate assistance.

Home Care Assistant (HCA)

The Home Care Assistant course contains 60 hours of content and builds on the skills and concepts learned in the In-Home Assistant course.  The Home Care Assistant course focuses on the more advanced caregiving skills for in-home and long-term care settings. In the Home Care Assistant curriculum, 26.5 hours are dedicated to classroom instruction, 17.5 hours are allotted for skills practice and competency, and 16 hours are allocated for off-site clinical experience.

Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia (AD)

The Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia course contains 16 hours of content and provides information and instruction on how to care for a person with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.  This course has no prerequisites and can be taken as a stand alone course.

Continuing Education

Upon completion of the certified classes, graduates are encouraged to attend 12 hours of continuing education per year. For this purpose, the Schmieding program offers 12 hours of continuing education.  These programs review topics pertinent to caring for an older adult in the home, such as fall prevention and/or present detailed information on health conditions not covered during the classes.

Family Caregiver Education

There are two programs specifically designed to teach family or friends basic caregiver skills, both are presented in workshop format.  One addresses the physical skills of caring for an older adult and the other addresses caring for a person with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. This curriculum combines content from a number of sources including standards and guidelines from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

The goal of these workshops is to introduce family caregivers to the basic skills needed to provide quality care for an aging family member.

Physical Skills for the Caregiver

The physical skills workshop contains information on infection control, skin care, incontinence management, nutrition, body mechanics, mobility, caregiver stress, safety and activities of daily living.

 

Dementia Care Skills for the Caregiver

In this workshop participants receive an overview of Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, instruction on basic communication techniques, common behavioral challenges, activities, nutrition and hydration, caregiver stress and suggestions for how to maintain respect, dignity and quality of life of the care recipient throughout the caregiving process.

Review and Evaluation

The curriculum and process used to teach the Schmieding Home Caregiver Training Program undergoes continual evaluation. Manuals and content are reviewed prior to teaching each class and content undergoes a thorough review process once a year by members of a multidisciplinary staff of healthcare professionals.