ModuleDraftEmergencyFallsSwallowing

Persona: Home health aides/community health workers — stroke home safety + monitoring basics

Home-support worker module: spotting red flags, fall prevention, swallow safety watch-outs, medication support boundaries, and when to escalate to clinicians/emergency services.

CaregiverCaregiverIntro15 minPlain (6–8)

Educational only

Educational only — follow the care plan and escalate per supervising clinicians.

Get help now

If you notice new stroke-like symptoms, sudden neurologic decline, severe trouble breathing, or serious fall/head injury: activate local emergency response immediately and notify supervising clinicians per protocol.

Key takeaways

  • Recognize urgent red flags needing emergency escalation
  • Perform a basic fall-risk home walk-through
  • Identify swallow safety warning signs
  • Support routines without giving medical advice

Emergency red flags

  • New weakness/speech trouble
  • Breathing trouble
  • Severe headache
  • Seizure

Fall prevention basics

  • Clear pathways
  • Bathroom safety
  • Lighting

Swallow safety watch-outs

  • Coughing with meals
  • Wet voice
  • Fever/chest symptoms

Routine support

  • Appointment reminders
  • Hydration/meal support per plan
  • Bring questions list to clinicians

Boundaries

  • No med changes
  • Follow written plans

Practice check

What you’ll practice

These questions are untimed. After you answer all of them, you’ll see your score and a clear next lesson or reference step.

0 of 2 answered

Question 1

1. New sudden speech trouble should be treated as…

Question 2

2. Coughing while eating can be a swallowing safety warning sign.

References

  1. Tier 4
    NINDS Know Stroke
  2. Tier 4
    ASA Dysphagia (trouble swallowing after stroke)