In Australia, the aged care industry is rapidly gaining traction due to the increasing number of aged people across the country. There’s a shortage of skilled and reliable employees who can provide genuine care to the elderly of the nation. So, now is the perfect time to chase your career as an aged carer if you have a knack for serving older people.
As a Perth resident, you can enroll in any of the top institutes offering aged care courses Perth WA and start your journey in this sector. However, before you do that, you should know what aged care is all about.
Read on to get a comprehensive overview of the aged care industry.
Types of Aged Care Facilities
The aged care sector can be primarily classified into two types of facilities, and they are:
-
Residential Aged Care
Under this facility, Australian seniors who have lost their ability to live in their homes are provided accommodation, care, and support. It typically covers 24/7 care as individuals in these facilities are in need of constant care. They are engaged in various social and community gatherings for them to lead an active and healthy life.
-
In-home Care
The in-home care facility is for the elderly Australians who prefer to live independently in their homes for as long as possible. The support and care are often tailored according to personal requirements of the clients. Individuals also opt for short-term in-home care for recovering their physical and mental wellbeing after a hospital stay.
Duties and Responsibilities of an Aged Carer
The role of an aged carer requires you to be utterly responsible and hard-working so that you can take genuine care of the elderly you are looking after. Some of the duties you would be performing as an aged carer but are not limited to are:
- Performing household chores such as cooking, washing, cleaning, and laundry.
- Assisting your client with basic personal tasks such as showering and dressing.
- Keeping track of the health and medication of the elderly.
- Providing mental and emotional support with a sense of empathy and compassion.
- Accompanying your client to grocery stores, appointments, or just for a casual walk.
- Strictly adhering to the federal and relevant state and territory regulations related to aged care.
- Taking decisive actions in the face of critical situations.
- Attending relevant training and seminars to stay updated and professionally develop in the aged care sector.
While you pursue your aged care course in Australia, you are exposed to practical sessions so that by the time your course finishes, you perform your aged care responsibilities with diligence and efficiency.
Different Types of Aged Care Courses
Different aged care courses are offered by colleges to train individuals in the essentials and advanced skills required for working in aged care. Some of the most preferred courses are as follows:
-
Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing)
Any individual wanting to enter the health care industry can start with this basic course. It trains students to provide individualised care and support to the elderly in residential or in-home settings.
Completing this certification, a student can expect job roles of a Health Care Worker, Personal Care Assistant, Residential Care Worker, Respite Worker, Assistant in Nursing and more.
-
Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability)
Care services often involve providing support to individuals with disabilities regardless of age. So, this certification focuses on training individuals to provide specialised care to patients suffering from disabilities. Disabilities can include partial physical immobility, total permanent disability (TPD) or mental disorders like dementia and Alzheimer’s.
-
Diploma of Community Services (Case Management)
Under this course, you learn to work in diverse aged care areas like community health, disability services, and employment services. The case management specialization trains you to coordinate and deliver services to clients with varying needs. You are also in charge of evaluating and accordingly improving service practices.
The certification will make you fit for job roles such as Case Coordinator, Case Worker, Program Coordinator, Case Management Supervisor, Team Leader, and more.
Interpersonal Skills of an Aged Carer
As an aged care worker, most of your work would involve human interaction, so you need to work on your interpersonal skills. Effective communication, emotional maturity, time management, patience and an empathetic nature will help you thrive in this industry.
The best colleges in Australia train individuals on key skills required to be an efficient aged carer and at the same time provide them with sufficient opportunities to interact with people and sharpen their personalities.
Advantages of Working in the Aged Care Sector
-
Ample Job Opportunities
The helth care sector is overwhelmed with job vacancies. There is less competition in this sector as compared to other industry verticals. So, you can easily land a job with the right set of skills and a fitting certification. The industry growth is also predicted to rise immensely in the upcoming decades, so that solidifies your job security.
-
Career Growth
The aged care sector is not only about catering to the needs of aged people. It is a vast industry with abundant growth opportunities. A Certification 3 course can give you entry into the health care sector. With a few years of experience, you can enrol in the Certificate 4 or other specialised Bachelor courses in any of the top colleges in Australia and move higher up in your career ladder.
-
Flexible Schedule
Working in aged care doesn’t restrict you to a typical 9-5 schedule; instead, you enjoy a more flexible work schedule. You can work in shifts and maintain a healthy work-life balance. Also, clients may require your service on weekends and after-work hours, so you receive additional penalties on top of your salary.
-
Make Genuine Difference in People’s Lives
As an aged carer, you would bring real change in people’s lives. You get the opportunity to serve the backbones of our society and empower them to lead a life with dignity and independence.
Closing Thoughts
Now that you know how the aged care sector works, you can search for aged care courses in Perth and enroll in any of the top colleges in town.
