Free sample lesson · Caregiving · about 40 minutes
No login needed. A real lesson in the FI format: goal, learn, example, practice with answers.
Goal
By the end of this lesson I can explain what a caregiver does and does not do, wash my hands correctly, and help a person with a daily task in a safe and respectful way.
1. Warm-up (5 minutes)
Think of an older family member. Write down two things they can still do by themselves and one thing they need help with. A good caregiver protects the first two and helps with the third.
2. Learn: the caregiver’s role
A caregiver supports daily living: bathing, dressing, eating, moving around, companionship and noticing changes. A caregiver does not diagnose, change medicine doses or do nursing procedures unless trained and allowed by the employer and local rules.
Four principles guide every task:
- Dignity – knock, explain, cover the body, use their name.
- Independence – let them do what they can, even if it is slower.
- Safety – clean hands, dry floors, brakes on, ask for help when lifting.
- Observation – notice and report changes in eating, mood, skin, breathing or toileting.
3. Worked example: hand hygiene and helping with a shirt
Hand washing (at least 20 seconds): wet hands → soap → rub palms, backs, between fingers, thumbs, fingertips and wrists → rinse → dry with a clean towel → turn off the tap with the towel.
Helping Lola put on a shirt when her right arm is weak:
- Wash hands, explain what you will do and ask permission.
- Let her choose the shirt.
- Dress the weak arm first, then the strong arm. (Undress the strong arm first.)
- Let her button what she can; help only with the rest.
- Check she is comfortable and thank her.
4. Try it yourself
- Name two things a caregiver should not do without training or permission.
- Which arm goes into the sleeve first: the weak or the strong one?
- Mr. Santos can feed himself but is slow. What should you do?
- You notice Mrs. Reyes ate almost nothing for two days. What do you do?
- Put the hand-washing steps in order: rinse, soap, wet, rub, dry.
- Give one way to protect someone’s dignity while bathing.
Show answers
- Examples: change medicine doses, diagnose, do wound or injection procedures without training.
- The weak arm first.
- Let him eat by himself, give enough time, and only help if he asks or struggles.
- Report it to the family, nurse or supervisor the same day and write it down.
- Wet, soap, rub, rinse, dry.
- Close the door or curtain, keep the body covered with a towel, explain each step.
5. Practice at home (10 minutes)
Practise hand washing while counting to 20. Then help a family member with one small task, letting them do as much as they can by themselves.
6. Check your understanding
Finish these sentences: A good caregiver lets the person … · When I notice a change, I …
Like this lesson? Continue with the Basic Caregiving Skills short course or prepare for the Professional Certification in Caregiving Skills. Create a free My FI account · More free lessons · Questions: [email protected]