Day 2
Providing Practical Care and Ensuring Safety
Providing Practical Care and Ensuring Safety
Day 2 Program Objectives:
Perform basic caregiving tasks, such as personal hygiene and mobility assistance, with proficiency.
Develop a basic understanding of nutrition and hydration needs, and prepare meals suitable for care recipients in the Singaporean context.
Conduct a basic home safety assessment and identify potential hazards.
Execute basic first aid procedures and recall key steps for emergency response and local contact information.
Day 2 Learning Outcomes:
By the end of Day 2, participants will be able to:
Perform and explain the steps involved in providing personal hygiene assistance (bathing, dressing, grooming) with sensitivity and respect.
Demonstrate safe and effective techniques for mobility assistance, including transferring, positioning, and using mobility aids.
Plan and prepare basic, nutritious meals considering dietary restrictions and cultural preferences prevalent in the Singaporean context.
Identify common household hazards and implement safety measures to prevent accidents and falls.
Conduct a basic first aid assessment and perform essential first aid procedures (e.g., wound care, managing choking).
Recall and articulate key emergency contact numbers and procedures, including knowing how to call for help and provide necessary information.
Day 2 Learning Schedule
9:00 – 9:15 AM
Arrival & Recap from Day 1
Welcome back participants. Quick group recap of key points from Day 1.
9:15 – 10:45 AM
Module 5: Basic Caregiving Skills – Part 1
Personal Hygiene: Bathing, grooming, dressing. Demonstration and guided practice.
10:45 – 11:00 AM
Morning Break
Light refreshments, informal discussion.
11:00 – 12:30 PM
Module 5: Basic Caregiving Skills – Part 2
Mobility Assistance: Transferring, positioning, and use of mobility aids. Role-play and peer feedback.
12:30 – 1:30 PM
Lunch Break
Catered or self-provided lunch. Encourage casual sharing.
1:30 – 2:30 PM
Module 6: Nutrition and Hydration Guidance
Basics of nutrition, meal planning, dietary restrictions, and hydration tips.
2:30 – 2:45 PM
Afternoon Break
Refreshments and short rest.
2:45 – 4:00 PM
Module 7 & 8: Safety Awareness and Emergency Procedures
Identifying hazards, accident prevention, first aid, and emergency contact numbers. Practice simulations.
4:00 – 4:45 PM
Scenario-Based Practice & Debrief
Participants respond to care scenarios using newly learned skills. Trainer gives feedback.
4:45 – 5:00 PM
Wrap-Up & Q&A
Final reflection on learning. Address outstanding questions. Preview of Day 3 if applicable.
Module 5 (3hrs) - Basic Caregiving Skills
Types of Bathing:
Assisted shower
Bed bath (dry or wet)
Sponge bath for frail or immobile persons
Safety & Dignity Guidelines:
Test water temperature
Use non-slip mats and shower chairs if needed
Ensure privacy (use towel covers and close doors)
Explain each step in simple language
Steps in Bed Bath (Simplified):
Gather supplies (basin, towel, soap, gloves, clean clothes)
Wash face → arms → chest → abdomen → legs → back → private areas
Dry each part thoroughly
Apply lotion and change into clean clothes
Steps:
Allow recipient to choose outfit if able
Dress weaker side first, undress it last
Use easy-to-wear clothes (elastic, front buttons)
Offer assistance without rushing
Key Tasks:
Brushing hair and teeth
Shaving (use electric razor when possible)
Nail care: file nails only unless trained
Trainer demonstrates full bed bath on mannequin
Pairs take turns practicing sponge bath and assisted dressing
Trainer supervises and gives corrections
Examples:
Bed to wheelchair
Chair to toilet
Floor to bed (with team help or assistive tools)
Steps Using a Transfer Belt:
Lock wheelchair brakes
Stand close, feet shoulder-width apart
Use belt to guide, not lift
Let recipient push off with hands if able
Why it’s Important:
Prevents pressure sores and stiffness
Aids breathing and comfort
Key Techniques:
Reposition every 2 hours
Use pillows: behind back, between knees, under arms
Elevate head if risk of aspiration
Participants rotate through 3 stations:
Transfer from bed to chair using belt
Repositioning a partner using pillows
Assisted walking with walker and gait belt
Trainer checks form, safety, and communication at each station.
Safety and dignity go hand-in-hand in caregiving
Always explain what you're doing before you do it
Use proper body mechanics to protect yourself
Encourage care recipients to do as much as they can independently
Module 6 (1hr) - Nutrition and Hydration Guidance
What Makes a Balanced Meal? (Use My Healthy Plate or rainbow model)
½ plate: vegetables and fruits
¼ plate: whole grains (rice, noodles, bread)
¼ plate: protein (fish, chicken, tofu, eggs)
Include healthy fats (oils, nuts) in moderation
Essential Nutrients for the Elderly/Special Needs:
Protein: for muscles and recovery
Calcium & Vitamin D: for bones
Fiber: to prevent constipation
Iron & B12: to prevent tiredness or weakness
Meal Tips for Home Care:
Keep meals soft or bite-sized if chewing/swallowing is a challenge
Avoid spicy or oily food for sensitive stomachs
Use familiar and comforting foods when possible
Offer meals at regular times (predictability helps with behavior)
Dietary Restrictions:
Diabetes
Avoid sugary food, control portions
High blood pressure
Reduce salt, avoid processed food
Stroke
Use soft foods, monitor swallowing
Activity:
Small Group Task: Build a sample day’s menu (breakfast, lunch, dinner) for a diabetic person using local foods.
Why It's Important:
Older adults and those with limited speech may forget to drink
Dehydration leads to confusion, constipation, and fatigue
Tips for Caregivers:
Offer water every 1–2 hours, not just at meals
Provide soups, fruits (e.g., watermelon, papaya), or herbal teas
Use visual reminders or hydration charts
Signs of Dehydration:
Dry lips, dark urine, headache, constipation, dizziness
Special Note:
Persons with dementia or special needs may resist drinking — try using a favorite cup, flavoured water, or offering through gentle encouragement.
Balanced meals improve energy and healing
Respect the care recipient’s preferences and religious food needs
Keep water visible, accessible, and part of routine
Adapt food texture and content based on condition and age
Module 7 & 8 (2hrs) - Safety Awareness and Emergency Procedures
Wet floors and slippery tiles
Loose wires, rugs, or clutter
Sharp tools or hot appliances left unattended
Open windows, stairs without rails
Medications within reach of children or persons with dementia
Wipe spills immediately, use anti-slip mats
Keep pathways clear of bags, furniture, and laundry baskets
Lock away cleaning products and sharp objects
Install night lights in hallways and bathrooms
Secure handrails and grab bars where needed
Activity:
Home Floorplan Walkthrough: Use a sample home layout and mark unsafe areas. Participants to suggest how to make them safe.
Falls are the most common cause of injury in elderly/disability care.
Prevention Strategies:
Ensure proper footwear (no slippery soles)
Avoid rushing care recipient
Support during transfers with gait belt or walking aid
Help care recipient to stand slowly from sitting
Daily Routine Tip:
“Check environment before each care task – is the path clear? Is the floor dry?”
Fainting or loss of consciousness
Choking during meals
Fall with injury
Fire or smoke in the home
Unresponsiveness / CPR / AED
Emergency Response Steps (Simple Version):
Stay calm — do not panic
Ensure your own safety first
Check the care recipient — breathing, consciousness
Call for help or emergency services
Give first aid if trained
Stay with the care recipient until help arrives
Recognize signs of fainting (pale, dizzy, suddenly limp)
Ease to ground safely
Check breathing, call for help, elevate legs
Coughing forcefully = encourage to keep coughing
If silent or cannot speak = perform Heimlich (if trained)
Call 995 immediately
Remove person from danger if safe
Use fire blanket or extinguisher if trained
Close door, call 995
Do not pour water on oil fire!
Key Takeaways
Always prepare for emergencies — prevention is better than cure
Stay calm, think clearly, and act in a step-by-step way
Know who to call and where safety equipment is stored
Practice makes you more confident in a real emergency
Wrap Up / Q&A (15mins)