Blog

You might have noticed that Selmar’s Certificate III in Aged Care (CHC30212) has been replaced. We now offer Certificate III in Individual Support (CHC33015), and there’s a good reason for this change. Previously, the Certificate III in Aged Care was focused on providing care to older Australians, however, we have updated this to reflect that […]

More than 20% of adults aged 60 and over live with a mental or neurological disorder, according to data from the World Health Organization. The data also shows that often mental health problems for older individuals are not being diagnosed by healthcare professionals, making this figure potentially much larger. The stigma surrounding mental illness means […]

We sat down our aged care trainers and asked them about their experience in the industry. This time, we asked our close-knit team “What two aged care worker qualities do you think are essential?” “Compassion and caring, of course!”. — Karen “Patience and a good sense of humour.” — Sally “Empathy, compassion, flexibility.” — Cheryl […]

The Australian aged care system is moving towards consumer-directed care giving individuals more choice in their care requirements1. This means that for aged care service providers, customer service is more important than ever. It’s important to remember that customers are not only your residents but their families and local community as well. The notion of […]

This poem was written by an anonymous woman and since affectionately named by the aged care industry as the Old Lady’s Poem. The poem was found by aged care workers in a facility in Dundee, Scotland, after a resident passed away. Today, this poem is infamous around the world in aged care and is always […]

International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) is a global celebration proclaimed by the United Nations. Since 1992, IDPwD has been celebrated on December 3 around the world, showcasing the contributions made by persons living with disabilities in their communities. This year, the theme is ‘inclusion matters: access and empowerment for people of all abilities’. […]

Human rights protect everyone in society. Human rights are particularly important in the most vulnerable, such as the elderly. Protecting the rights of older individuals is a vital part of being an aged care worker. According to the World Health Organization, globally one in 10 older people experience abuse every month. The Australian Human Rights Commission […]

Palliative care is the art of offering nurture to people suffering from terminal conditions. It requires sensitivity and compassion and is usually offered by extraordinary individuals with a strong capacity for empathy. The focus of palliative care is comfort and dignity. It requires the ability and willingness to ease the discomfort and suffering of the […]

Australia has one of the highest rates of asthma in the world1. Recently, the Australian Government Department of Health announced funding for a national asthma strategy. This new strategy will attempt to improve asthma treatment for all Australians, with a particular focus on treatments for older people. Up to one in seven Australians aged 65 years […]

More than half of all people in permanent residential aged care have dementia, according to a report released last month by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). This highlights the importance of understanding the impact Alzheimer’s and dementia in aged care. Both the Certificate III in Individual Support (CHC33015) and Certificate IV in […]

Today is World Arthritis Day or WAD. Established in 1996 by Arthritis and Rheumatism International, WAD is a global initiative to raise awareness of issues affecting people with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs). Celebrated every year on 12 October, WAD also aims to ensure people with RMDs and their caregivers are aware of support networks […]

Once you are ready to take your career to the next level, it’s important to know how to effectively promote yourself. There are three main steps in achieve your career goals – your CV, a customised cover letter and the interview. In the first of Selmar’s three part series on career advancement, here are some […]

While everyone undertaking a child care course or an aged care course has to undertake work placement, there are ways to really make the most of this experience. When on work placement, it is important to be actively engaged with your environment to ensure you truly learn from experienced educators at your placement centre. When searching […]

Sherene has 14 years’ worth of experience over multiple aged care organisations as a PCA and Lifestyle and Leisure Coordinator. Sherene is an eager Selmar aged care trainer and assessor, with strong commitment to providing quality aged care so the individuals can live with maximum dignity, comfort and independence. With these commitments, she strives to […]

More than a million people in Australia receive aged care services. This number is expected to rise to more than 3.5 million by 2050 due to better health care. To address this increasing need, the Australian government is reforming the aged care system. The aged care reform will see the system is moving towards consumer-directed […]

Two out of three Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer by the age of 70. However, exposure to small amounts of sunlight is also essential to good health. Let’s discover how to encourage an approach that is sun smart in aged care. Finding the right balance of avoiding excessive sun exposure and obtaining the […]

Currently in Australia, about 2,800 residential aged care facilities cater to more than 160,000 elderly people. During the next ten years, we expect to see aged care jobs grow with more than 250,000 residents in Aged Care. According to the Federal Government’s Intergenerational Report, by 2050, the number of people aged 65 to 84 is expected […]

Today’s abundance of technology has opened up a range of new opportunities for the elderly. Through social media, multiple generations can enjoy social interaction between friends and family, quickly and easily. This use of technology in aged care and ease of access plays a large role in engaging elderly Australians and can help with feelings […]

The importance of training has taken on a new dimension with the changes that are sweeping the aged care industry along with the increasing demand for Consumer Directed Care. KYMBERLY MARTIN investigates how by adopting efficient work practices through education, appropriate training and mentoring leads to a more effective aged care workforce As the head […]

First aid qualifications, anaphylaxis qualifications and emergency asthma management qualifications vary slightly across education and care service types. At centre based services, for all times that children are being educated and cared for, there must be at least one educator who: holds current approved first aid qualifications. has undertaken currently approved anaphylaxis management training. has […]

One of the biggest and most essential growth areas for careers in Australia is the Aged Care industry. With an increasing percentage of our population living well into old age, there is a growing demand for admission into aged care facilities and for compassionate, reliable and efficient aged care workers. Whether you’re looking for a […]