About this Course

  • "Understanding Spinal Cord Injury: A Course for Personal Care Assistants" is the first, free online education resource specifically designed to introduce personal care assistants to spinal cord injury (SCI)
  • Content was created with guidance from people living with SCI and their families, experienced personal care assistants, and rehabilitation professionals
  • Anyone can register and access the course for free: https://bit.ly/understandingSCI

 

Goal of this Course

To enhance the quality of personal care assistance available to people with spinal cord injury

 

Rationale for Developing the Course
  • SCI is a life-changing condition that often creates a need for hands-on help with important daily tasks from others
  • This hands-on help (referred to as personal care assistance) is needed to prevent medical complications and enable participation in community life
  • Most home health care providers lack experience working with clients with SCI
  • A better understanding of the needs and preferences of clients with SCI will help personal care assistants provide the best care

 

Why Take this Course? 
  • To gain a better understanding of the needs and experiences of individuals with SCI
  • To receive practical suggestions on how to improve communications and build positive working relationships
  • To attain the necessary tools and resources to support client care for individuals with SCI

 

Who can Benefit from this Course?
  • Home health care providers (such as agencies, nursing assistants, home health care aides)
  • Individuals with SCI and their families
  • Rehabilitation programs

Course Module Topics
  • What is Spinal Cord Injury?
  • Physical Functions Affected by SCI
  • Personal and Social Challenges Created by SCI
  • Common Misunderstandings about SCI
  • Complications of SCI
  • Applying What You’ve Learned
  • Additional Insights

 

How to Access this Course

 

Course Multimedia

To see more Kessler Foundation video shorts, visit https://www.youtube.com/@KesslerFoundation/shorts

Financial Support

Production of the course was supported by Grant #90IF0115 from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research and in part by Grant #862 from the Paralyzed Veterans of America Education Foundation.

 

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