Finding a job in the aged care sector has never been more rewarding than in the year 2023.
If you are passionate about looking after our society’s most vulnerable, you would be an essential part of a supportive team with one compassionate goal – to maximise our elders’ quality of life.
At Sage Education, we share this ethos.
Below, we have organised an informative guide tailored to fill in the potential gaps in your knowledge. We strive to give you a complete understanding of your responsibilities as an aged care worker, the skills you will need to optimise your proficiency, as well as where to locate the best education provider.
What does an aged care worker do?
An aged care worker will provide first-rate personal care to the elderly members of society who wish to continue living in their homes.
Alternatively, you could be caring for those who utilise an aged care facility, such as a care home.
It will often be your responsibility to assist in domestic duties as well as provide warm, friendly companionship.
It is paramount that you address every individual with utmost sensitivity – aging can be a difficult process, and the individual under your care should feel supported with regard to their independence and their continuous involvement in their local communities.
The primary duties of an aged care worker
To help you acquaint yourself with the core duties that you will be expected to fulfil, we have compiled a detailed list below.
With our guidance, you will acquire the crucial knowledge that you need to get closer to your dream job!
- Hygiene
You will be expected to provide personal care, and that includes maintaining the individual’s hygiene. For instance, this can consist of assisting with showering, shaving, dental hygiene, and hair/scalp hygiene.
2. Food preparation
Good health starts with a healthy diet. You will need to be able to prepare meals that are catered to the individual’s various nutritional requirements.
Whether you need to prepare three healthy meals a day, adhere to a specific calorie intake plan, or blend diabetic drinks, you will need to acclimatise to every individual’s dietary needs.
3. Domestic care
The environment of the individual under your care should be peaceful and de-cluttered.
It will be your responsibility to help with household chores and shopping tasks.
4. Reports
You could be working alongside registered nurses who deal with the individual’s medication, and that means you must produce written records after each visit.
Whether you are taking note of health concerns you may have or observations of medication changes, you will be expected to organise clear reports to help your colleagues in the aged care sector.
5. Social care
Preventing loneliness should be at the heart of your mission.
You will be expected to help maintain connections with the individual’s family and friends. Additionally, you will encourage the individual to engage with the community via fun, social activities.
Skills you need to provide residential aged care
It takes a particular type of person to provide superior personal care to the elders of our community.
We shall explore some of the most essential skill sets and characteristics of an aged care worker so you can situate your strengths and begin to refine your weaknesses.
- Communication
You will encounter a range of different individuals who have a diverse range of needs.
You must also be prepared to adapt your communication strategies for those who suffer from particular impairments.
- Positivity/Empathy
Imagine meeting someone new who quickly becomes intimately involved in your life. It would be quite daunting.
Your client could be quite apprehensive about such changes, so it is vital that you exude a warm, friendly presence. You’re not just forming a professional rapport with your clients; you are building lifelong friendships.
You will be at their side through their most challenging obstacles, where your empathy will be required to understand your client’s mental state and your positivity will be required to reaffirm their happiness and hope.
- Patience
Your client may have physical or psychological afflictions that limit their capabilities.
A calm, affable presence will not only soothe your client, but will help you optimise your adaptability in the face of sudden changes to your client’s needs whilst juggling time constraints.
- Humour
Laughter can be the sole difference between inconsolable despair and optimistic cheeriness.
Being true to yourself and your sense of humour can brighten your client’s day, even for a short while, and when it comes to happiness, a little can go a long way.
5. Flexibility
Your daily schedule can differ on a day-to-day basis.
Your clients will have unique needs that you must accommodate, which means your assistance may be required at any time of the day, including weekends.
6. Medical knowledge
Attentiveness is key within this sector, as you could be the first one to notice any sudden changes in your client’s health.
By recognising symptoms of a potential underlying condition and conveying your observations to registered nurses, you can help your client receive the right medication to bring them additional comfort.
How can Sage Education help you become an aged care worker?
The professional development of invaluable, lifelong skills is our speciality. By working with the supportive team at Sage Education, you will have the utmost confidence in your abilities as you embark on your brilliant new career path.
When you enrol on our esteemed course, you will have unlimited access to 15 professionally crafted, highly informative modules that will open the door to a range of respectable, rewarding careers.
Whether you prefer a classroom setting or learning online, we have tailored a course to suit your lifestyle, and at the end, you will receive a Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing or Disability).
What you should know about our Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing or Disability)
– You must be 15 or over.
– You must have basic literacy skills.
– You must be vaccinated.
– You must be able to obtain a federal police check.
– We offer day classes between 8:30 AM – 2:30 PM every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
– We offer night classes between 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM every Tuesday and Thursday.
– We offer different payment plans to suit your lifestyle.
Enrol with Sage Education
We’ve helped thousands of applicants achieve the career of their dreams, and we’re here to help you too!
No matter what job you seek in the aged care sector, we have the priceless wealth of knowledge that you need to get started.
Enquire today about our Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing or Disability)!
