CHHA key terms

Everyday self-care tasks a person performs to function, such as bathing, dressing, grooming, eating, toileting, and moving from place to place. Home health aides assist with these tasks when a client cannot safely do them alone.

Tasks that support independent living in the community, such as shopping, cooking, housekeeping, laundry, managing money, and using transportation or the telephone. Aides may help with some of these when assigned in the care plan.

The normal amount of movement a joint can make in each direction. Aides help clients perform range-of-motion exercises as ordered to keep joints flexible and prevent stiffness or contractures.

Moving a client from one surface to another, such as from bed to chair or chair to toilet. Safe transfers use proper body mechanics, a gait belt when indicated, and the method written in the care plan.

Walking, with or without an assistive device such as a cane or walker. Aides support clients during walking, watch for unsteadiness, and follow care plan instructions about how much help to give.

Damage to skin and underlying tissue caused by prolonged pressure, often over bony areas like the tailbone, heels, or hips. Prevention includes repositioning on schedule, keeping skin clean and dry, and checking skin at each visit.

A permanent shortening of muscle or tendon that locks a joint in a bent position. It develops when a limb stays still for long periods, and regular exercise and proper positioning help prevent it.

The way a person holds and moves the body to avoid strain. Aides use it by keeping the back straight, bending the knees, keeping loads close, and getting help or using equipment for heavy lifting.

The likelihood that a client will lose balance and fall, which rises with weakness, poor vision, certain medicines, clutter, or confusion. Aides reduce risk by clearing pathways, using good lighting, and assisting with mobility as planned.

Any device or method that limits a client's movement and cannot be easily removed by the client, such as a vest or lap belt. Aides never apply restraints without a specific order and never as punishment.

A written record of an unusual event such as a fall, medication error, or injury. It documents facts only, is filed according to agency policy, and never replaces telling a supervisor right away.

Basic infection-control steps used with every client, every time, regardless of diagnosis. They include hand hygiene, gloves and other protective equipment as needed, and safe handling of blood and body fluids.

Barrier items worn to protect the aide from contact with blood, body fluids, or airborne germs, including gloves, gowns, masks, and eye protection. It is put on and removed in a specific order to avoid contamination.

Cleaning hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based rub. It is the single most effective way to prevent the spread of infection and is done before and after client contact and after touching soiled items.

Extra infection-control steps used with clients who have a known or suspected contagious illness, such as contact, droplet, or airborne precautions. They are used in addition to standard precautions and follow the care plan.

Using a chemical to kill most germs on surfaces or equipment. It differs from sterilization, which destroys all germs, and it requires the product to stay wet on the surface for the labeled contact time.

A rigid, puncture-resistant, labeled container used to dispose of needles, lancets, and other sharp items. Aides never recap needles and never place sharps in regular trash or recycling.

Information you can see, hear, smell, or measure yourself, such as a temperature reading, a skin rash, or how many steps a client took. It is factual and does not include your opinion.

What the client reports about how they feel, such as pain, nausea, dizziness, or sadness. It cannot be measured by you, so it is recorded in the client's own words whenever possible.

A written entry describing what was done for the client during a visit, what was observed, and any changes reported. It is factual, timely, dated, signed, and written according to agency policy.

A federal law that protects the privacy and security of a person's health information. It limits who may see a client's records and sets rules for how health information is shared.

Keeping a client's personal and health information private and sharing it only with people who need it to provide care. The duty continues after the client leaves the agency and after death.

The basic protections every client has, including privacy, dignity, choice, freedom from abuse, and access to their own records. Aides respect these rights and report any violation to a supervisor.

A client's agreement to care or treatment after being told what it involves, the risks and benefits, and the alternatives. The client must be able to understand and must agree freely, without pressure.

A legal document that states a person's wishes about medical care if they later cannot speak for themselves, such as a living will or health care proxy. Aides follow agency policy and refer questions to a supervisor.

A person required by law to report suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a vulnerable adult or child. Home health aides are typically mandated reporters and must report promptly under agency and state rules.

Fully focusing on what a client says, noticing tone and body language, and reflecting back what you heard. It helps clients feel respected and reduces misunderstandings.

Communication that supports a client's wellbeing, using open questions, plain words, honesty, and empathy while avoiding judgment, arguing, or false reassurance. It helps build trust and encourages the client to share concerns.

A language problem caused by damage to the brain, often after a stroke, that makes speaking, understanding, reading, or writing difficult. The client's intelligence is unchanged, so speak calmly and allow extra time.

Difficulty swallowing that raises the risk of choking and of food or liquid entering the lungs. Aides follow prescribed diet textures and liquid thicknesses, sit the client upright, and encourage small bites and slow eating.

Breathing food, liquid, saliva, or vomit into the airway and lungs instead of swallowing it. Signs include coughing, choking, a wet voice, or trouble breathing, and it requires prompt reporting.

Measuring and recording how much a client drinks and how much urine or other fluid leaves the body. Accurate measurement helps the care team judge hydration and kidney and heart function.

A progressive decline in memory, thinking, and judgment that interferes with daily life, most often caused by Alzheimer's disease. Clients may be confused, repeat questions, or misjudge danger, so routines and patience help.

Increased confusion, restlessness, or agitation in the late afternoon or evening, common in dementia. Calm routines, good lighting, reduced noise, and limiting late caffeine or long naps may reduce episodes.

A technique for responding to a confused client by accepting and acknowledging the feelings behind their words rather than correcting the facts. It reduces distress and supports dignity.

When a client with cognitive impairment walks away from a safe place without purpose or awareness of danger. Aides use door alarms, supervision, and activity to reduce risk and report any missing person immediately.

Measurements of basic body functions: temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure, and sometimes oxygen level or pain. Aides record them accurately and report values outside the client's usual range.

Swelling caused by fluid collecting in body tissues, often in the feet, ankles, or legs. It may signal heart, kidney, or circulation problems, and a change in swelling on one side is reported promptly.