Elderly caregiver
An 8-step path to elderly care at home and in care homes: hygiene, infection control and the legal limits of the role, personal care, mobility and fall prevention, feeding, spotting warning signs, dementia care and first aid. Suits patient, fit and compassionate people.
Start here
Step 1: Hygiene, infection control & the carer's limits
One short lesson per step, 10–15 minutes on a phone. No sign-up needed.
Hands-on roadmap
Roadmap
- Step 1Lesson
Hygiene, infection control & the carer's limits
Handwashing, gloves, masks and soiled items; carers do not inject, give infusions, change medicines or diagnose, they only help with prescribed medicines and report concerns to family.
No English content for this step yet.
- Step 2Lesson
Understanding older people & respectful communication
Physical and emotional changes with age and common conditions (hypertension, diabetes, joint problems); communicating with hard-of-hearing people while keeping dignity and privacy.
Requires: Hygiene, infection control & the carer's limits
No English content for this step yet.
- Step 3Skill
Personal care, bathing, diapers & pressure sores
Bed baths, hair washing, oral care, diaper changes and skin care; reposition every 2 hours with pillows and pressure mattresses; spot early sores and tell the family.
Requires: Understanding older people & respectful communication
No English content for this step yet.
- Step 4Skill
Mobility, transfers & fall prevention
Help sitting up and transfer from bed to wheelchair with safe body mechanics for the carer; walkers, non-slip mats and grab bars; check the home for fall risks.
Requires: Personal care, bathing, diapers & pressure sores
- Step 5Skill
Feeding, swallowing difficulty & health tracking
Prepare porridge and pureed meals per the family's and doctor's diet, feed upright to prevent choking; measure blood pressure and glucose with home devices and keep a daily log.
Requires: Mobility, transfers & fall prevention
No English content for this step yet.
- Step 6Skill
Dementia care, first aid & emergencies
Respond to confusion, wandering and agitation; recognise stroke signs (facial droop, limb weakness), low blood sugar and choking; give first aid and call 115 at once.
Requires: Feeding, swallowing difficulty & health tracking
No English content for this step yet.
- Step 7Project
Placement: 2 weeks of supervised care
A supervised placement in a care home or family: plan the daily care schedule, keep the log, do shift handovers and get feedback from the supervisor and family.
Requires: Dementia care, first aid & emergencies
No English content for this step yet.
- Step 8Certificate
Vocational certificate & finding work
Practical tests on transfers, hygiene and first aid; take an elementary vocational certificate in elderly care where available; agree hours, days off and pay clearly with families or agencies.
Requires: Placement: 2 weeks of supervised care
No English content for this step yet.
