Geriatric Nursing Assistant Course

Lesson 1 • Psychosocial Aspects of Ageing

Examines emotional, cognitive, and social changes common in later life. Links psychosocial awareness to compassionate, individualised care delivery.

Lesson 2 • Ethics and Patient Rights

Introduces core ethical principles and residents' rights in long-term care settings. Grounds all subsequent clinical skills in a rights-based, ethical framework.

Lesson 3 • Roles of the Nursing Assistant

Defines the scope of practice, responsibilities, and boundaries of the geriatric nursing assistant role. Clarifies how the role fits within the interdisciplinary care team.

Lesson 1 • Standard and Transmission-Based Precautions

Teaches standard precautions applied to all patients and additional precautions for specific pathogens. Ensures consistent safe practice regardless of known diagnosis.

Lesson 2 • Safe Environment and Fall Prevention

Addresses environmental hazards and fall risk factors specific to geriatric settings. Connects environmental safety directly to reduced injury rates.

Lesson 3 • Handling and Disposing of Hazardous Materials

Covers safe handling of sharps, body fluids, and contaminated linens. Reinforces regulatory compliance and personal safety during routine care tasks.

Lesson 1 • Dressing and Undressing Assistance

Teaches adaptive dressing techniques for residents with limited mobility or paralysis. Reinforces autonomy by encouraging resident participation at every step.

Lesson 2 • Toileting and Continence Care

Addresses bedpan, urinal, commode, and incontinence pad use with dignity-preserving technique. Connects continence care to skin integrity and infection prevention.

Lesson 3 • Bathing Techniques and Skin Care

Teaches bed baths, tub baths, and shower assistance adapted for frail older adults. Integrates skin assessment into every bathing encounter.

Lesson 1 • Body Mechanics and Ergonomics

Establishes correct posture, lifting principles, and movement patterns for caregivers. Prevents musculoskeletal injury during all patient-handling tasks.

Lesson 2 • Positioning Residents in Bed

Teaches supine, lateral, prone, and Fowler's positions with correct support placement. Links positioning schedules to pressure injury prevention.

Lesson 3 • Assisted Transfers and Ambulation

Covers bed-to-chair, chair-to-toilet, and stand-pivot transfers with and without assistive devices. Builds confidence in guiding safe ambulation for residents with varying mobility.

Lesson 1 • Bowel and Bladder Health

Addresses constipation, diarrhoea, urinary incontinence, and catheter care basics. Connects elimination patterns to nutrition, hydration, and mobility.

Lesson 2 • Meal Assistance and Feeding Techniques

Teaches proper positioning, pacing, and cueing during assisted feeding. Addresses aspiration risk and safe swallowing strategies.

Lesson 3 • Hydration Monitoring and Fluid Balance

Covers signs of dehydration, fluid intake goals, and intake-output measurement. Links adequate hydration to cognitive function and skin integrity.

Lesson 1 • Recognising and Reporting Changes in Condition

Teaches systematic observation of mental status, skin, and functional changes. Builds the habit of prompt, accurate reporting to prevent adverse outcomes.

Lesson 2 • Oxygen Saturation and Pain Assessment

Introduces pulse oximetry and standardised pain scales adapted for cognitively impaired residents. Links these assessments to timely clinical intervention.

Lesson 3 • Measuring Temperature, Pulse, and Respiration

Covers oral, axillary, tympanic, and temporal temperature methods alongside pulse and respiration counting. Establishes normal ranges and technique accuracy.

Lesson 1 • Person-Centred Dementia Care Planning

Integrates life history, preferences, and strengths into individualised care approaches. Ensures care plans reflect the whole person beyond the diagnosis.

Lesson 2 • Managing Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms

Addresses agitation, wandering, sundowning, and resistive behaviours with non-pharmacological approaches. Connects environmental and routine modifications to symptom reduction.

Lesson 3 • Understanding Dementia Progression

Explains the stages, brain changes, and functional decline associated with major dementia types. Provides the clinical foundation for all dementia-specific care strategies.

Lesson 1 • Principles of Palliative and Hospice Care

Defines palliative philosophy, hospice eligibility, and the shift from curative to comfort goals. Establishes the ethical and clinical framework for end-of-life assistance.

Lesson 2 • Recognising Signs of Approaching Death

Teaches observable physical signs that indicate death is near, from days to hours. Prepares students to communicate these changes accurately to the care team.

Lesson 3 • Supporting Families and Post-Death Care

Addresses family communication, emotional support, and postmortem care procedures. Includes caregiver self-care strategies to manage grief and compassion fatigue.