Which care settings are more suitable for unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)?

Extended and long-term care settings are particularly suitable for unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) due to the nature of the tasks and patient needs in these environments. In extended and long-term care facilities, residents often require assistance with daily living activities such as bathing, grooming, and eating, which are tasks that UAP are trained to perform under the supervision of licensed healthcare professionals.

These settings often feature a more stable patient population compared to acute care facilities, allowing UAP to build relationships with residents and provide consistent care. The focus in long-term care is on maintaining the residents’ quality of life, and the supportive role of UAP is critical in helping achieve this goal through direct patient interaction and assistance.

Other settings, such as acute care hospitals or outpatient clinics, typically require a higher level of clinical assessment and technical skills that may exceed the training of UAP. Home health care can vary significantly, requiring a range of service delivery models that may or may not utilize UAP efficiently. Therefore, the structure and needs of extended and long-term care environments make them particularly suited for the contributions of UAP.