COURSE OVERVIEW:

Older people have the right to determine what their service requirements are, who will provide these services and how these services are met. Support workers can help a person identify and determine services in an empowering manner.

Many Australians receive support services. These services allow people to live as independently as possible. Some services are provided in the community, either in the person’s own home or shared residences and supported accommodation, while others are supported in congregate care such as aged care homes.

If you are working in the aged care sector, you must be familiar with services and programs that can support people with care needs. It is important that you understand what these programs are, why they are provided, what they do and who they are for. It helps to know how the program you work in is similar to or different from other programs.

When identifying and discussing services with a person we can empower them by applying a consultative approach. Discovering what the person needs, likes and wants are, will help in determining the types of services that will fit them the best.

As Community Services Workers, we are often working with people who are vulnerable and/or who may live a lifestyle that mainstream society views as being different or unacceptable. When supporting an older person to express their own identify and preferences or selecting the services that they need, you must remember that people are entitled to make their own decisions without fear of judgement. Letting your own values and attitude towards a particular part of the person’s life become known is not acceptable.

Remain flexible when suggesting services to ensure the when and the where suits the individual. To guarantee you do not disempower the person, ensure that there are no surprises and apply no pressure.

Within service identification ensure that you research options and embrace the person’s social, cultural and spiritual beliefs to ensure the options suggested are a match. Present all the options that are available that fit in with their needs and allow them the time to evaluate and chose the best option for them. They might need more information and additional options.

Where more information is needed, it is best to discuss with the person, what type of information they might need to help them make a decision. Only provide them with relevant information. Finding out what motivates a client or means the most to them will guide you to identify the most useful information to provide.

This course provides detailed information on how to respond to the goals and aspirations of older adults and provide support services in a manner that focuses on improving health outcomes and quality of life, using a person-centred approach.

This course starts by explaining how to develop relationships with older adults and how to respond to the goals and aspirations of older people. Then discusses how to employ flexible, adaptable and person-centred approaches to empower the individual. Also, discusses how to provide services to older adults. Then explains how to support the rights of older people and how to use oral communication skills to maintain positive and respectful relationships. Finally, explains how to promote health and reablement of older people.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

By the end of this course, you will be able to understand:

·       The structure and profile of the aged care sector

·       The residential aged care sector

·       The home and community support sector

·       The best practice service delivery models

·       The relevant agencies and referral networks for support services

·       The key issues facing older people

·       The impact of social devaluation on an individual’s quality of life implications for work in the sector

·       The differences between empowerment and disempowerment

·       The re-ablement and the effective re-ablement strategies

·       The ageing process and related changes

·       The strategies that the older person may adopt to promote healthy lifestyle practices

·       The legal and ethical considerations for working with older people

·       The work role boundaries – responsibilities and limitations, work health and safety

·       The impact of own attitudes on working with older people

·       How to respond to the goals and aspirations of older people?

·       How to employ flexible, adaptable and person-centred approaches to empower the individual?

·       How to use oral communication skills to maintain positive and respectful relationships?

COURSE DURATION:

The typical duration of this course is approximately 3-4 hours to complete. Your enrolment is Valid for 12 Months. Start anytime and study at your own pace.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

You must have access to a computer or any mobile device with Adobe Acrobat Reader (free PDF Viewer) installed, to complete this course.

COURSE DELIVERY:

Purchase and download course content.

ASSESSMENT:

A simple 10-question true or false quiz with Unlimited Submission Attempts.

CERTIFICATION:

Upon course completion, you will receive a customised digital “Certificate of Completion”.