Blog

For many who are working or have worked in a career in the care sector, it’s hard to imagine doing a job without a sense of purpose. Care careers add meaning to your life and are fulfilling in a way that not many other career paths can offer.     Working as a carer, you […]

Throughout elderly people’s lives, technology has advanced dramatically. From breakthroughs that saw humans land on the moon, developments on the medical front and the introduction of the internet, technological progress has set a rapid pace. Fast forward to today and video calling with people across the globe is easily and instantly achievable from the comfort […]

For many aged care residents, aged care workers – either in residential care or home care – may be the only people they have seen in quite some time. Unfortunately, there are many elderly people who are not visited by family or friends, or perhaps do not have family and friends to visit them. The […]

For many ageing Australians, staying at home and living independently for as long as possible is a top priority. In fact, each year more Australians are choosing home care as a means of continuing to enjoy life in the comfort of their own homes and familiar surroundings. We spoke with the team at Home Instead, […]

By Heleni Bagiartakis, Strategic Growth & Partnerships Manager at Catalyst Education As seen on LinkedIn, published 12 August 2021.  It is unquestionable – the age care sector is facing the greatest overhaul in its history. For decades, many strong, admirable and even inspirational leaders have steered the course for hundreds of thousands of older people […]

The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety launched in 2018 with the purpose of reviewing aged care services in Australia. Earlier this year, it released its final report, including 148 recommendations as part of reforming and improving the aged care system. Among the recommendations is to make a Certificate III in Individual Support […]

Aged care and personal care workers play an amazing role in the lives of others; not only supporting their daily needs, but lighting up their days with company and compassion. Caring for others is rewarding, and to sustain your energy as an aged care or personal care worker you also need to prioritise your own […]

The career you choose, or fall into, when you first enter the workforce is probably not going to be the career you are in throughout your lifetime. For many, careers can take twists and turns including stints in a variety of different sectors. For 15 years, Ming Choo was a chef at one of the […]

The average person is likely to spend around a third of their time at work over the course of a lifetime. Sure, this figure is approximate and will vary from person to person, but whatever way you look at it most of us will spend a hefty amount of our life in our job. With […]

For some people the seasons have a greater impact that simply preferring one to the others. In fact, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) means that the weather can have a notable effect on mood, mental health and even physical health. For older individuals, including those who may already have health concerns, SAD can be challenging. It’s […]

When you embark on aged care qualifications, you are not just training to get a job — you are training to make a difference. The impact quality aged care workers have is far-reaching, with the ability to make a difference for the lives of many, including the elderly, their families, others entering the sector and […]

It is said that any organisation can only be as good the people within it, and this certainly includes organisations in the aged care sector. A high-quality aged care facility needs well-trained employees who are committed to compassionate care and supporting the health and wellbeing of the elderly. While many aged care workers are naturally […]

For many elderly people living in residential care facilities or at home alone, loneliness can be overwhelming. In fact, the Royal Commission into Aged Care found that many aged care residents are feeling lonely. As well as being mentally distressing, research has shown that loneliness can have a serious impact on physical health too. Since […]

The need for staff to fill the increasing number of aged care jobs across Australia continues to grow with the demand for aged care services. It’s not just more workers required to support the aged care sector — high quality, well-trained aged care workers are needed to deliver exceptional care for all. The aged care […]

Over the last year many have experienced the pandemic and post-pandemic blues. People have reported feeling “in limbo”, “drained” or even just feeling “meh”. While these aren’t what many might typically think of as mental health struggles, they are valid and real challenges that are being faced. The word that has been noted globally as […]

Living in residential care should be a space that feels like a community. To build a strong and happy community, a focus on strong relationships is essential.     For many residents in aged care, the aged care workers within their care facility are among the only people they see and interact with. The relationship […]

Living with dementia is a reality for an estimated half a million Australians. While the exact number of people with dementia is unknown, what we do know is that the impact is far-reaching for those who have it and their families. According to Dementia Australia, it is estimated there are more than 400,000 people living with […]

The recent Federal Budget revealed a $500 million expansion of the government’s Job Trainer program, with opportunity to train a further 33,800 aged care workers over the next two years which could go a long way in alleviating staff shortages. Residential aged care and home care services have reported shortages of quality staff for some […]

Shaping a sector to reach its full potential requires a balance of factors. The sector itself needs to be underpinned by thoughtful policies and funding. Aged care workers need to be confident and capable in their ability to provide compassionate care. Employers need to be committed to not only maintaining but lifting the standard of […]

Training, supporting and guiding people who are new to a sector or upskilling within a sector requires the knowledge and skills that come with experience. That’s why Selmar aged care trainers all have a story to share about their own careers in aged care prior to becoming a trainer. Selmar aged care trainer and short […]

The aged care sector needs dedicated individuals to help shape the future of care. We need to ensure our elderly citizens are looked after with the compassion and respect that they deserve. If you’re considering a career in aged care, you’re in the right place! Stay with us as we guide you through a rewarding […]

There are many avenues for upskilling in an aged care career. One pathway well worth considering is upskilling with a CHC43415 Certificate IV in Leisure and Health. This lifestyle-focused area of specialised care is a powerful way to have a notable positive impact on the lives of ageing individuals or those living with a disability. […]

Home care can mean the difference between an elderly or disabled person having to move out of their home into a care facility or being able to stay in the comfort of their home. Home care is highly valuable to those requiring care who want to continue living at home. It is also a valuable […]

Imagine if you could find a career that put your own top skills to use. A job that felt like you weren’t working at all, because you were just doing what you’re naturally good at. You know, those jobs that make you think ‘I can’t believe I actually get paid to do this’. And while […]

When it comes time to start placement, many learners are curious about how to go about finding an aged care facility to complete their required hours. At Selmar, our Practical Placement Coordinator Michelle Gleeson plays a key role in every learner’s placement journey. Practical placement is an essential and highly valuable part of getting qualified […]

Qualifications and training are vital to succeed in the aged care sector and to upholding a high standard of care for elderly people. It’s important to also understand the value of human qualities and interpersonal skills in the sector.     The aged care sector has a lot to offer its workforce, and highly skilled […]

Recently we were honoured to be joined by Stephen Duckett, Grattan Institute’s Health Program Director, for a dynamic virtual roundtable discussion about the current state of Australia’s aged care system. We were also joined by an expert panel apart of Selmar’s regular industry engagement to ensure the relevance of our training, assessment practices and resources. […]

When providing care for ageing individuals, it is valuable to understand how the approach to care may need to be re-evaluated and updated over time. This may be due to a person’s health and their requirements evolving, or it could be dependent on their individual values and preferences. An important element of the work undertaken […]

COVID-19 presents particular risks to older people, who are particularly vulnerable to respiratory diseases.¹  In May 2020, the United Nations reported on the ‘devastating toll’ that the spread of COVID-19 in care homes was having on older people’s lives.² The public health crisis of COVID-19 has disproportionately affected aged care in Australia. It’s a tragedy […]

The current pandemic has highlighted a significant gap in how prepared aged care facilities are to protect their residents and staff from highly-infectious diseases like COVID-19. A government-commissioned infection control expert group has concluded that all aged care staff should be trained in infection prevention and control (IPC) practices, not only when they start working […]