Caring for younger individuals living in aged care facilities

Working in aged care, you expect to work with older Australians. What you might be less prepared for are the younger individuals requiring care due to living with a disability.

A Senate inquiry in 2015 found that upward of 7,000 individuals under the age of 65 with physical and intellectual disabilities are living in aged care facilities. This is significantly younger than the average age of aged care residents, which is around 84-years old. While various government measures and organisations are continually working toward remedying this and find more appropriate assisted living arrangements for these younger Australians, it is important to be aware that aged care may not be limited to older individuals – some could even be in their 20s and 30s.

Once qualified to work in aged care, you may find yourself employed in an aged care facility, working as a home care assistant or a personal care worker, as well as many other potential roles.

Caring for someone with a disability often requires different approaches, with a range of disabilities to take into consideration for both younger and older Australians. Just a few of these are:

-Acquired brain injuries
-Cerebral Palsy
-Down Syndrome
-Dementia
-Various physical disabilities

The Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing, Home and Community) at Selmar takes into account that you may work with younger individuals and those living with disability. In providing care beyond compliance, Selmar ensures that the units delivered to our students give them the knowledge and skills to provide the highest quality support based on the specific needs of the individual in your care.  

Through units such as ‘Provide individualised support’ and ‘Support independence and wellbeing’ in Selmar’s Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing, Home and Community), you will be equipped to provide care tailored to the individual, supporting their specific and varying needs. Many younger individuals living with a disability in your care may particularly benefit from you promoting their independence and recognising and supporting their youth and associated interests.

More information on aged care courses can be found at our courses page.