Human Needs and Supporting People as they Age

In this 60-minute course, caregivers will learn how to care for the whole person—not just the physical needs but also the emotional and mental ones that often go unseen. You’ll explore how people’s needs change throughout life, and how to respond with care that feels thoughtful, respectful, and truly supportive.

We’ll walk through simple tools like Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and life stage milestones to help you understand what someone might be going through—whether they’re a child, an adult, or an aging loved one. You’ll learn how to recognize when something more profound might be going on, such as loneliness, confusion, or emotional distress, and how to respond in ways that preserve a person’s dignity and independence.

Through real-life examples and reflection, you’ll build confidence in offering care that connects—not just completes tasks. By the end of this course, you’ll be better prepared to speak up for your client’s needs, work as a team with families and other caregivers, and provide the support that honors the person at every stage of life.