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.
Help keep home care clients safe at home.
Home care aides know that the overwhelming majority of their clients are determined to age in place. The care and expertise of these aides makes it possible for their clients to fulfil their desire to live safely and independently at home. The Strategies and Actions for Independent Living micro-certificate program provides specialized training in fall prevention to broaden the skill set of home care aides and recognize their crucial role in improving their clients' quality of life.
Explore the program: Micro-certificate in Strategies and Actions for Independent Living (SAIL)
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.
Through the StrongerBC future skills grant, students may be eligible to receive funding for this program. View details and eligibility
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
How this program stands out
Online Flexibility
Credibility
Manageable
Teaching Talent
What you will learn in the Micro-certificate in SAIL
- define a "fall" and categorize fall risk factors
- discuss the guiding principles of SAIL, identify the members of the SAIL team, and describe their roles in supporting clients to use the SAIL tools
- explain the importance of behaviour change to fall prevention
- demonstrate effective client-focused communication skills in working with clients to make behavioural changes
- explain the purpose and method for using each of the SAIL tools
- discuss strategies for motivating and supporting clients in working with each of the three levels of the Home Activity Program
Who should take the Micro-certificate in Strategies and Actions for Independent Living (SAIL)
The SAIL training program is designed for home health care aides or others in similar positions who provide day-to-day in-home care for frail older adults and persons with disabilities.
The SAIL Resources are available separately and are suitable for:
- SAIL training program students and graduates
- home health professionals including RNs, LPNs, PTs, OTs who assess clients and supervise home health care aides providing day-to-day support for clients
Career options
Some of our learners pursue careers in the following roles:
- Home Health Care Aide
- Community Health Worker
- Home Support Worker
- Personal Support Worker
- Home Care Provider
- Certified Personal Caregiver
- Community Support Worker
Who are your Instructors
What do our learners say?
I could work at my own pace, around work commitments and still meet the deadlines. Easy to post. This course will make a difference for me in developing a more collaborative approach when having difficult conversations with clients.
This new knowledge and experience will empower me to walk alongside my clients confidently while keeping them safe in their own homes.
I am very thankful for this course. The SAIL approach helps me to become aware of clients’ needs as well as collaborating with other members of the health care team in order to achieve the best response in the client’s situations. We health care aides, as part of the health care team, play an important role in our community in terms of looking after senior citizens.
Strategies and Actions for Independent Living (SAIL) news and resources
RELATED TOPICS: Professional Development in Healthcare