OVERVIEW
Pain is a major problem in the majority of the aging population because it slows recovery, causes many complications, increases the cost of healthcare, and negatively affects quality of life. Home health aides must understand the issues—directly and indirectly—related to pain, such as what causes it and how it can be relieved, in order to preserve the physical, functional, cognitive, emotional, and social well-being in their patients.

This in-service explains the causes and symptoms of pain, as well as how aides can assist in the care-planning and comforting of patients who suffer from pain.

LESSON OBJECTIVES
After completion of this program, the home health aide will be able to:

• Define pain and discuss factors affecting a person’s reaction to pain
• List common myths and facts about pain, describe barriers to pain identification and management, describe common types of pain, and discuss complications of pain
• List the home health aide’s responsibilities in identifying pain behaviors and gathering information
• Describe patient care, nursing comfort measures, and care plan approaches and discuss the outcomes of effective care

Contents of this lesson:

• A clearly written fact sheet
• A 10-question post-test to measure understanding of the subject matter
• An answer sheet with a place for the instructor’s comments and signature
• An illustrative, homecare-specific case study
• Suggested supplemental learning activities
• An attendance log and certificate of completion

ALSO
Check out the complete series to add flexibility to your in-service training.