1. January: The importance of working as a part of a team. There’s no profession more dependent
on team performance than caregiving. Yet, it’s often left out of nurse training. This
training article gives the important, basic tips that all CNAs need to follow in order to be an
effective team member.
2. February: What you can do to help prevent pressure ulcers. Pressure ulcers are an often fatal
disaster for an elder, but most can be prevented. And frontline caregivers have a key role in
their prevention. This article gives some basic tips and how-to information, just for CNAs, that
are proven to be extremely effective in pressure ulcer prevention.
3. March: Your caregiver personality: Why it’s so important. Developing good communications
skills with co-workers. A caregiver’s personality is one of the most important caregiving
tools they have. Much research shows that a good caregiver personality has a major, favorable,
impact on elders… sometimes a greater impact than drugs!
4. April: How to effectively communicate with Alzheimer’s elders. Includes information on
how to communicate with those in various stages of Alzheimer’s; what to expect; what the latest
research shows; tips and strategies that work.
5. May: Workplace safety and preventing falls in your elders: Some basic tips for CNAs
that are very effective. Falls are one of the most frequent causes for injury and death in longterm
care. But many can be prevented… and CNAs are at the frontlines in helping prevent
them. This training article gives some very practical, tips that are proven to significantly reduce
falls in elderly populations, including those elders with Alzheimer’s.
6. June: The CNA’s role in preventing medical errors. The US is one of the most culturally
diverse countries in the world. And it’s very evident, and challenging, in caregiver settings.
CNAs have to get along well with both elders and co-workers from a wide range of different cultures.
The outcomes of their caregiving could be at stake. This article gives practical tips on how
to work with different cultures, both as a co-worker and as a caregiver.
7. July: Infection control: The latest in research-proven, effective, procedures. Infection
control recommendations change every year, as new germs evolve, and techniques change and
improve. This training article gives the updated basic information on steps to take to control
infections in longterm care and other healthcare facilities.
8.August: Helping your residents with self-care: the CNAs special role. Self-care in your
residents is very important, for it helps them maintain self-esteem and a good quality of life,
plus can be therapeutic as well.
9. September: Dealing effectively with problem behaviors in your Alzheimer’s elders.
Problem behaviors include wandering, aggression, sexual inappropriateness, delusions, delirium,
and so on. They often seem to be frightening and difficult for caregivers, but there are a few simple
tips that can be taken that are research-proven to resolve most problem behaviors.
10. October: Alzheimer’s disease: What caregivers can expect. This training article gives
how-to information from the very latest research on caregiving for those elders with Alzheimer’s
disease. Includes information on the latest caregiving techniques that work well, special caregiving
approaches that are effective; what to realistically expect as the disease progresses; how to
cope effectively, and more.
11. November: The importance of keeping your elders active. Suggestions for things to keep
them active, exercises and range of motion activities, more. Why it’s so important to their health
and well-being.
12. December: Your residents’ rights. Their right to be free from abuse, to make personal choices,
the right to privacy, the right to respect and dignity, and more. What the regulations say.