The Household aide role is a versatilely trained team member who supports the overall wellness of the elderly who live in a house. They are deeply relational and leaders of the home to ensure each Elder is “deeply known”, respected, and supported in living the days they desire with dignity and love.
Core responsibilities of the Household Aide include:
Support Social, Emotional, Physical, and Spiritual needs:
- Help Elders be seen, heard, and respected
- Recognize and respond to the needs of Elders
- Promote autonomy of Elders in decision-making
- Connect with Elders through guided and spontaneous activities, interests and hobbies of their choosing
- Embrace the house culture and help engage with and participate in community events, special events and activities with Elder direction
- Connect to experts in spiritual life, meaningful engagement, social work, nursing, and dining when complex issues arise
Alleviate Loneliness, Helplessness and Boredom
- The antidote to Loneliness is easy access to relationships with people, animals and nature
- The antidote to Helplessness is Meaning and Purpose following the seven fundamental aspects of personhood that household aides aim to please
- Loneliness, Helplessness, and Boredom: These three plagues contribute significantly to suffering among Elders. Addressing them is crucial for well-being
Caring, Inclusive, and Vibrant Community
- Creating a living home where everyone, regardless of age or ability, can experience well-being
Putting Principles into Action
- Household Aide will enhance well-being and combat loneliness, helplessness, and boredom
- Create a home and culture that fosters companionship, purpose, and growth for all residents.
- Permeating GHP philosophy and “Deep Knowing” of the Elder; utilizing appropriate tools and teachings (ex. Reassessing warmth, implementing new daily pleasures, utilizing learning circles, initiating huddles including Elders)
Provide for elder’s personal Care needs:
- Assist Elders with personal care functions:
o Dental and mouth care
o Bathing
o Dressing and grooming
o Hair care
o Nail care
o Shaving
o Bowel and bladder care
o Other personal and hygiene care
o Cueing, eating, and drinking
- Assist with and/or perform restorative and rehabilitative procedures as outlined and assigned by the care plan and with appropriate training
- Measure and record vital signs such as temperature, pulse, respirations, weight, height, and anatomical dimension/circumference
- Assist moving, positioning, and transporting Elders into and out of beds, chairs, bathtubs, wheelchairs, lifts, etc.
- Provide range of motion exercises as outlined and assigned by the care plan and with appropriate training
Oversee the operations of the home:
- Prepare between meal, bedtime and other nutritional snacks per the posted menu and the stated preferences of the Elders
- Observe standard precautions per organizational policy
- Keep all areas of the home clean, performing routine housekeeping duties
- Make occupied and unoccupied beds and change bed linens
- Launder clothing, linen, and other articles
- Follow established safety precautions and observe, monitor, and intervene in or report to the Elder Directed Care Manager any unsafe conditions or needed household supplies
- Guide Elder’s in caring for their plants, pets and other living things
- Proactively support elders and learn their routines.
- Assure Elder calls for assistance are answered promptly
- Report accidents and incidents when they occur
- Report any abuse or suspected abuse to the Abuse Coordinator immediately
Grow and develop yourself and team:
- Attend and participate in orientation programs, on-going training, and educational classes
- Take on leadership roles in the household through the following coordinator roles: Food coordinator, housekeeping coordinator, Team/Meaningful Life coordinator, scheduling coordinator, care coordinator
- Conduct and participate Learning Circles
- Share stories of discovery, identified improvement and success
Nurture one another as a team and involve clinical expertise regularly:
- Communicate with co-workers at all levels to meet the needs of Elders
- Attend and participate in monthly team meetings
- Serve in coordinator roles and share celebrations and concerns with teammates to strive for excellence
- Meet with the Nursing Administration Team as scheduled or as needed to discuss Elders’ needs and progress in identifying and correcting problems
Minimum qualifications:
HS degree or equivalent
Passion for Elders and Older People
