Adult Learner-Centered Training: in Home and Residential Care

Turnover among direct-care workers, especially those who are new on the job, is an ongoing issue for long-term care employers. Many factors contribute to the problem, but one workers themselves often cite, is inadequate preparation for the job. Recognizing that traditional training programs are often not effective, PHI, over the last two decades, has developed a different approach to preparing workers. Drawing on the principles of adult learning, PHI trainings engage learners more actively through small group work, role plays, and other interactive techniques. These learner-centered trainings are more successful than traditional approaches in developing workers communication, problem solving and work readiness skills, giving workers the tools they need to develop positive caregiving relationships. A new guide from PHI called Adult Learner Centered Training: An Introduction for Educators in Home and Residential Care (pdf) outlines the PHI approach to training and provides educators with tools to bring learner-centered principles to their own training programs.Though there are many books on adult learner-centered teaching, this is the first guide specifically for long-term care educators. Using a highly accessible format, it introduces readers to the principles of adult learner-centered teaching and then uses examples from the field to illustrate how to use the approach.