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Working In Aged Care
Learn More About a Rewarding Career Working in Aged Care
Albeit they comprise some of the more successful, knowledgeable, experienced, and capable in our communities, the elderly is frequently disregarded, disrespected or neglected to the point where the government has put in place a policy protecting the rights of the aged to address discrimination.
Currently, there are around five million Australians aged 60 or older, and with Australia enjoying a high life expectancy, older residents can expect to live well into their 80s. Luckily the health of more senior citizens is improving, with around three-quarters of retirees living self-sufficiently in private homes. Still, with most elderly reliant on the Age Pension, more than a quarter of 60+ live in poverty, and at least six percent receive long-term institutional care. Working in aged care is usually most needed among 75+ and in the last two years of life.
The Importance of Skilled Work in Aged Care in Victoria
According to government statistics, by 2050, a projected 15 million Australians will be aged 60 or over, making this a growing portion of the population. Caring for the aged, including disabled elderly – those in poor health or battling with mobility, self-care, or communication challenges – is an increasingly important task. Professionals in this field can make a crucial impact by:
- Helping to keep older residents healthy. Currently, the government provides substantial support for this population group, including age pensions, assistance with rent, residential funding or public housing, medical and medicinal funding, disability and acute care, and home, community, and hospital support. Maintaining good physical and mental health well into old age will lessen this load on the state and caregiving family members for longer while prolonging independent and often substantial individual contributions to the world around them. Encouraging self-care – good hygiene, good diet, appropriate exercise, and self-respect – is often all that’s required.
- Promoting long-term contribution by elders to society. Older populations frequently contribute to well-being in communities through volunteering their time, offering guidance and comfort and providing the ‘glue’ that keeps families together. Intellectually healthy seniors can continue to provide meaningful input, creativity, and insight long past retirement age. While sometimes thought of as socially and economically ‘useless’, sexagenarians and older can continue developing their knowledge and abilities into their 90s. Brains do shrink as we age, impacting our ability to find solutions to new challenges, for example, but our acquired knowledge and verbal reasoning capabilities continue to thrive. Exercising both the mind and body is vital.
- Providing dignity and respect for valuable members of society. In the long term, raising the status of the aged will extend into the wider community, benefiting the current elders, future elders, and strengthening the positive values that underpin our communities. It’s evident that societies reflecting more respect across differences tend to be less violent, and ageism – whether against youth or the aged, is no exception.
Benefits of Working in Aged Care in Australia
Not only will caring for the elderly or working with disabled people help your clients but working with people with special needs can be fulfilling and meaningful work. Qualifying and specialising in caregiving offers you:
- Job security. Government statistics indicate that by 2050 over a quarter of Australians will be 60 or over, a projected population of 15 million, making this a growing portion of the populace. Caring for the aged, including disabled elderly, is an increasingly important task. With around 170 000 caregivers in the aged sector and forecasts of approximately 250 000 required within two years, sensitive and motivated specialists are in high demand.
- Career choice. Your qualification in aged care or working in disability services will yield several career options – community support, individual carer, care home support or respite work.
- A chance to make a difference. Your support, company and physical assistance will make a world of difference to your clients, helping them to cope with everyday tasks, increasing their independence and self-confidence, and preventing loneliness. In turn, your clients will leave your life more enjoyable, interesting, and enriched.
With around one-third of older Australians from differing language or cultural backgrounds and seniors among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities particularly impacted by age-related difficulties, caregiving in the field needs compassionate and carefully trained professionals to manage complexities. The elderly is also often infirm and disabled or facing mental or intellectual challenges, further indicating a need for training in physical and mental disabilities.
What Sets Us Apart Regarding Training for Work in Disability Support and Aged Care
We offer Australia Qualifications Framework (AQF) compliant, nationally recognised certificates of qualification in four fields – Individual Support, Disability, Aging Support and Leisure and Health. Proficient and accessible trainers who have at least five years of experience in their field conduct our courses, which are:
- Tailored and supportive. Your training considers your needs and previous qualifications. Your trainers will work closely with you to ensure your confidence and success, whether you’ll be working in the disability sector or the aged care segment.
- Preparation for a successful career. Your qualification will equip you with the skills to assist clients in their emotional, social, and physical needs, an understanding of specialised communication, empowerment techniques and an awareness of the ethics and legalities involved. Your Certificate IV in Aging Support or Disability can also lead to you achieving a Diploma level qualification in nursing.
- Comprehensive: Whether you’re supporting the aged, working with disabled persons, including working with disabled children, working with mentally disabled adults, or working with special needs adults, our tutoring enables you to excel in helping the elderly or disabled be more self-reliant with healthier self-esteem.
- Our Certificate IV in Aged Support course comprises eighteen modules (fifteen core and three elective). Included are assisting those living with dementia, addressing personal needs, learning to work with diverse people, identifying healthy body systems, and providing support in times of grief and loss. We conduct training twice a week over six months, with a 120-hour practical placement.
- The Certificate IV in Disability covers fourteen modules (eleven core and three elective). Included are providing individualised support and promoting community participation, and increased independence and well-being. You’ll attend training two days every week for six months.
Our Certificate IV in Individual Support offers an intensified focus on one-on-one care. The Certificate IV in Leisure and Health looks at creating and assessing health and leisure programmes and activities.
About Australian HealthCare Qualification and Training (AHQT)
Registered and operating since 2003, we have over 15 years of experience and a team dedicated to improving our students’ lives and that of their future clients. We encourage our trainees to consider their clients as having potential, learning capabilities and hopes and dreams.
While we currently train online and over Zoom, our Victoria-based campuses are well maintained and offer safe, comfortable spaces conducive for learning. Our state-of-the-art simulation space provides experience with real-life caregiver situations and industry equipment, arming trainees with valuable insight as they enter their career. We stay up-to-date and in touch by incorporating staff and student feedback into our planning and refinement.
Our competitively-priced training is delivered through funding by the Victorian Government and the Commonwealth, with government concession and non-concession payment options. Although only students based in Victoria may apply, we welcome all regional applicants, including those with disabilities. We ask that our students be literate in English and show genuine interest in and dedication to the subjects and participation in the course.
We align with the principles of Access and Equity and are committed to helping all trainees achieve their goals. To ensure no trainee is at a disadvantage, we try as far as possible to accommodate them through adjusting resources, delivery, environment, and evaluations.
If you’re compassionate, believe in a vocation rather than a career, and want to succeed in a meaningful way, contact us now to find out more or chat to our helpful chatbot.