HOME HEALTH AIDES’ ROLE IN PRESSURE ULCER PREVENTION AMONG THE ELDERLY AT HOME: A SCOPING REVIEW

Abstract

The purpose of this scoping literature review was to explore current knowledge about the role of home health aides (HHAs) in pressure ulcer prevention among the elderly receiving homecare. HHAs are unregulated care providers that constitute 70% of the home care work force in Canada. They are part of the patient’s circle of care but not members of the interdisciplinary pressure ulcer prevention team. The literature review was used to identify sources of evidence, map key concepts, and determine research gaps. Key search terms “homecare services”, “pressure ulcers”, “home health aides”, and “aged” were used to search 11 databases. Eight sources were retrieved: one textbook chapter and seven peer-reviewed journal articles. All documents were charted and analyzed using a descriptive summary and qualitative content analysis. The results suggest that HHAs’ role in pressure ulcer prevention at home is unclear. Five themes emerged from literature: need for training and education, nurse as an educator, interdisciplinary care approach, relationship between HHAs patient and family, and beliefs of HHAs about their role. Potential for enhancing HHA roles were identified in: observing patient’s health condition; coaching patients and family on positioning, ambulation, and nutrition; assisting health care providers; and reporting to the interdisciplinary team, patients and caregivers. In conclusion, the HHAs could play more important role in pressure ulcer prevention in homecare. Further research is recommended to create interventions with increased engagement of HHAs and explore their efficacy.