Training home health aides to work with persons with AIDS

The authors of this article present a grass-roots approach to the instruction of home health care aides in caring for PWAs. Much of the information presented could be applied to other care providers as well. The goal of the educational process, which advocates facilitating the learning process rather than lecturing, is to better prepare the aides to care for their patients with AIDS. Early emphasis is placed on breaking down barriers to the topic. The curriculum includes "AIDS 101," which begins a determina tion of the home care provider's level of knowledge and comfort as to the disease. Immunologic principles are presented in a simple manner. Infection-control procedures are taught and rational fears are dealt with openly. Symptom management is taught by paralleling the care of the PWA with that of patients with other, more familiar diagnoses. Finally, the issue of caregiver isolation is addressed.