The numbers of people aged 65 and above and on the rise in Australia. According to the available statistics in this subject, in 2017 alone, the percentage of senior citizens in the australian population reached 15% with a projection to increase over the succeeding years. Quite naturally, the physical faculties of the previous ages do not remain the same in the advanced years.
In some cases, especially in degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s or Dementia, the mental capacities also start to gradually reduce. Needlessly, the need for learned and respectful care is evident and the inability of the family members to provide constant care has given rise to the aged care industry. The interested and able people can choose this field as a viable career option.
How to know the calling?
Like the directly contrasting age group, the elders also need professional, and in some cases, round-the-clock assistance for their daily activities. In this part, they are also in need of the same devotion, care, and professionalism that is required for the care of a baby. Needlessly, there must be a certified aged care training available to provide the proper care to the elders. The basic signs that can direct whether you can take the career of aged care as your profession are;
- You get perturbed seeing a senior person facing difficulty in completing his daily activity.
- You have a deep respect for the elderly and the sacrifices they have made.
- You like to bring some positive changes in their remaining time.
- You have a liking and basic understanding of the methods and theories of caregiving.
- You like to provide care and support to the people in need.
As the numbers of senior people are on the rise, this can be a lucrative and satisfying career for the persons interested in this profession.
The available courses
As per the existing legal standpoint, an aged care center needs to have proficient and trained aged care workers in their team. For that, the government has funded several courses that provide a general and intensive understanding of the required teachings in aged care. This comprises of starter’s course or Individual Support Course, or advanced diploma course in this subject. Depending upon the chosen curriculum, the extent and intensity of the proffered training will be helpful in securing the appropriate position, upon completion, in this particular sector.
- Certificate III in individual support (aged care)
This course is aimed to equip the pursuant with the expertise needed to deliver care and able sustenance for the aging people to empower them to lead a self-determining and honorable life. Certificate III in Individual Support Course is best suited for individuals who aspire to make admission into the community support and health care services industry. It is also equally suitable for individuals who are already employed in this sector and wish to boost their knowledge and skills through well-thought-out courses and credentials. During the certificate III in aged care course, the trainees would be required to follow a tailored plan for supporting and ensuring professional care to old or incapacitated people in a communal or domestic situation.
There are no official entry requirements and also any specific academic credentials needed for this course. Applicant must be, as a minimum, 16 years of age; in which case the enrolment form has to be signed by a parent or guardian. No such permission is required for applicants aged 18 or more.
- Certificate IV in aged care and support
This course is an advanced step from the previous one and completion of it will guarantee the enhancement of career in the aged care sector. The course of Cert IV in Ageing Support will help to hone and better the skills in the field, thereby assuring a rewarding position in the health care and nursing industry. The course can provide a chance to the applicants to present their leadership skills and in extension, provide the post of supervisory nature with appropriate responsibilities. The course will provide the students with the necessary advanced and specialized level of skills within the legal and ethical boundaries of the health and assistance providing industry.
Essentially, the person completing this course will be given the responsibility for completing tasks or specialized nature that is required for the successful functioning of the elderly care in a residential situation or in a community setting. The applicant will be trained in the skills of assisting in individualized service planning that results in delivering proficient services; ensuring independence and security of patrons. This course also requires the conclusion of at least 120 hours of work in the health facility business.
No specific educational degree is essential to join this course. However, the candidate must have an effective Certificate III in Individual Support with all the principal units finished. The same conditions of age limitation stand for this course as with the certificate III in aged care.
The essential training
The training and modules are complementary, with an extensive and intense workload on the advanced courses. The general provisions of these courses will ensure the development of the following skills required for completion and functioning in the aged care industry, which can be surmised as;
- Arranging for services to older people with multifaceted requests
- Enabling support receptive to the particular nature of dementia and Alzheimer’s.
- Facilitating provision for personal care requirements.
- Assisting in customized plans
- Processing and maintaining work data
- Executing intermediations with older people at risk of tumbles.
- Coordinating different information arrangements
- Working within a pertinent legitimate and principled framework.
- Creating and maintaining contacts with other services
- Supervising work.
- Applying First Aid on need.
- Commissioning organizational work.
Prospective opportunities
Various types of jobs could be acquired in the healthcare industry depending upon the course completed. The potential jobs for certificate III holders comprises of aged care worker, assistant in nursing (AIN), caregiver and aide, community care worker, personal care assistant (PCA), in-house care officer, etc.; whereas positions like assistant aged care coordinator, community support worker, incapacity accomplice, service manager, transport coordinator and much more are available for the certificate IV graduates. So, these certificates serve as an essential requirement for people interested to have a career in the aged healthcare industry.