Aged care outcomes

The role of the residential care worker is to older people with provide physical care, emotional support and help with their day-to-day tasks. This may be in a clinic, hospital or residential care facility and vary in the level of care required. Residential care workers aim to improve the quality of life for older individuals by actioning care plans that have been devised with their specific needs in mind. This could include assisting older people with daily activities like dressing, washing, eating and their taking medication. It could also include helping the client to maintain a safe and clean living environment and encouraging them to get involved in activities and social events within their community. The residential care worker will also monitor an individual’s physical and mental health and be alert to signs of discomfort, hearing issues or loss of sight, depression and loss of mobility.

As an aged care supervisor you’ll be a frontline manager with strong leadership skills. Care supervisors manage teams of care workers to administer physical care, emotional support assist with the daily tasks of older clients. As a care supervisor you would be responsible for ensuring that your team members undertake relevant professional development and training to assist them in their roles. You would ensure that your team of care workers is delivering high quality care to older individuals. You’ll help them devise care plans for clients and oversee any difficult situations that may arise amongst your clients. As a care supervisor you will carry out staff training and appraisals and ensure each team member’s working conduct is aligned with the values of the care facility.  You may be responsible for auditing the care facility, managing operational budgets and preparing relevant financial reports.

As a care program coordinator you’ll be responsible for designing and developing a program of activities for older clients that works in tandem with care plans provided by other health care providers. You’ll devise activities that will engage clients, encourage social interaction and develop a sense of community with their peers. Your role as care program coordinator will see you liaise with other care professionals, sharing information that will help assist individuals and groups to enjoy a greater quality of life in their later years. As the care program coordinator, you’ll work with a team of care providers who will implement the activities you’ve scheduled. You may have to prepare educational materials, coordinate transportation to venues, book tickets and liaise with external venues to ensure everything goes smoothly. You’ll also apply your legislative knowledge to the activities and program components to ensure it complies with regulations.

You’ll assist older individuals with daily tasks in within their homes like showering, dressing and eating. If outings or social activities are planned, you’ll help them prepare for their day and assist them to the venue or location, often joining them for the day. As a home care assistant, you’ll need to be fit and physically strong as you’ll often be required to help individuals in and out of their bed, bathtub, chair or in and out of a vehicle. You may help them with grocery shopping, housework or small tasks they’re struggling to achieve themselves. Being a home care assistant is also about providing companionship for older individuals, so lending an ear or communicating with them is important too.