Professional development program for home-care aides

This short, practical fall prevention micro-credential is designed for home health care aides who provide day-to-day in-home care for frail older adults or persons with disabilities. In addition to training, after the one-course program is completed, optional renewable access to the SAIL Resources is available to graduates, as well as to organizations such as home care agencies, health authorities and community health services. These resources include all the SAIL tools and the exercise program, as well as additional guidance for organizations on implementing and managing a SAIL program.

Training course

Frail older adults and persons with disabilities often wish to live independently in their own homes, but falls in the home are a major health threat. The practical SAIL tools help home care aides and community support workers to help clients live at home more safely by preventing falls and fall injuries. This NEW instructor-facilitated, three-week course offers case studies, videos, discussion and interactive assessments. You will learn how to apply the following tools in your work:

• A specially developed, three-level, home-based exercise program that includes videos and handouts for client use, and training for you on how to motivate and support clients to use the program
• A detailed risk factor checklist
• An action plan framework with numerous strategies and actions to reduce each risk factor
• Fall tracking and reporting tools
• Optional ongoing yearly access to the SAIL tools and videos available on a sliding scale. Includes additional guidance for home care service supervisors to manage a SAIL program.

Expect to spend 3-5 hours per week in this course. 

SAIL Resources

Graduates who would like to retain access to the SAIL tools and videos after completing the training course may purchase one-year renewable access to the SAIL Resources. This access is also available at a discounted rate for organizations—such as home care agencies and health authorities—that enrol multiple staff members in the SAIL training course. Access is available for each individual who takes the SAIL training course, as well as for their manager. Materials for organizations include additional training and guidance to support implementation and management of a SAIL program within the organization. These additional materials are designed for home health professionals including nurses, physiotherapists and occupational therapists who perform client assessments and supervise home health care aides on their teams.

Resources include:

• Calendar for recording falls
• Fall report
• Checklist and Action Plan for risk identification and fall prevention
• Home Activity Program (HAP) videos and illustrated handouts for clients (available in English, Farsi, Mandarin and Punjabi)
• HAP videos and training materials for home health care aides to motivate and support clients
• Client assessment tools
• Guidance for supervising home health professionals (RNs, PTs, OTs, etc.)
• Implementation manual for home care organizations

Program highlights

• Learners who successfully complete this program will receive a micro-certificate.
• Accessible content for home care aides and others in similar professions
• Flexible online learning: asynchronous format allows learners to continue working while studying
• Learn from instructors with expertise in fall prevention
• Optional ongoing yearly access to the SAIL tools and videos available on a sliding scale. Includes additional guidance for home care service supervisors to manage a SAIL program.