If you’re wondering what kind of courses there are in the world of aged care, you’ve come to the right place! Caregiving can be an incredibly rewarding and fulfilling career path, but it also comes with its challenges and stressors, which can take their toll on your health and well-being.
Taking up relevant courses that help support your career as a caregiver will help you to enhance your skill set, develop new networks, build your confidence and improve your health and wellbeing. Here are 10 reasons why aged care courses are important for caregivers.
1) It is an investment in your future
If you plan to work as a caregiver, aged care courses will give you an edge when it comes to getting hired. Employers look favorably on applicants who have made an effort to better themselves and make professional connections, which can help get your foot in the door.
The good news is that these courses can be taken online, so they don’t cost a lot of money and they don’t take too much time away from family life. One of their biggest benefits is that they often coincide with your availability!
2) It broadens your horizons
If you’re looking to care for someone who is elderly or disabled, it’s important to broaden your horizons and learn new skills. Aged care courses help you get a better idea of what life is like outside of nursing homes and aged care facilities, such as independent living situations or community-based services.
They can also provide a glimpse into mental health issues that people often face when they age, such as dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Taking an online course in caring for older adults also puts you in touch with other professionals in your field who may be able to answer questions or refer you to resources that could be beneficial during your career.
3) There will be a demand for it
The number of Australians aged 65 and over is expected to grow by 40% over the next 20 years. That’s 6.3 million people who will need aged care assistance, prompting a growing interest in aged care courses and other training options that can assist family caregivers.
More specifically, around 50% of aged care workers have relevant qualifications; however, we can expect this figure to increase as more Australians begin to see aged care qualifications as an essential part of caring for their loved ones.
4) Employers want qualified caregivers
Employers want to hire people who can show that they have a command of their industry and its practices. Having aged care courses on your resume proves that you’re committed to an important, growing industry. It shows you have valuable skills. And it is far more effective than having no professional experience at all. So, do yourself (and your employer) a favor—invest in your future by learning about aged care.
Take some time to learn about these topics or similar ones before applying for jobs with potential employers. A good first step is joining online forums related to each topic and sharing your experiences as well as asking questions of others.
Join social media groups, follow professionals online and read up on developments in Australia’s (or whichever country’s) aging population. The more you know, the better equipped you’ll be when applying for jobs—and when performing well once hired!
5) There are plenty of jobs available now.
If you have an interest in health care, there are plenty of jobs available right now. The industry is constantly growing and as a result, there are new roles created every day that need to be filled. This means that there is very little competition when it comes to finding work because most people aren’t interested in these careers and so you can easily find your place in the field of aged care. Many people don’t even know about these career paths which means you could potentially get ahead before anyone else does!
6) The different types of aged care services you may encounter.
It’s easy to think of aged care as one homogenous industry, but when you look closer you will quickly see that there is a wide range of options. While most people imagine retirement villages and nursing homes when they hear of aged care, that is only part of it. There are also alternative aged care options like home care services and personal assistance.
Moreover, there is a major difference between those who need aged care because they are elderly and those who require aged care because they have a disability or illness; you may also want to choose an aged care provider that can offer special support to clients with dementia. It’s important to know what your options are so you can make sure your loved one gets exactly what he or she needs—and no more!
7) Know your rights under the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth)
The Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) outlines your rights as an employee under Australian employment law. This includes, among other things, minimum wage and award entitlements, personal/carer’s leave entitlements, and leave loadings. It is a good idea to familiarize yourself with these if you intend on starting an aged care business.
However, it is also important to remember that these laws do not apply if you are in an ‘enterprise agreement’ or have an ‘enterprise dispensation’ – which may be subject to change at any time. It is your responsibility as a business owner or human resources manager to check whether your business falls into either of these categories.
What to expect in this career
Aged care is a difficult job. Not only do you have to look after many people every day, but you must also follow a very strict set of regulations. This can be very confusing at first, especially when so much new information is thrown at you so quickly.
Conclusion
If you’re considering a career in aged care, then enrolling in aged care courses would be a great first step. These courses provide training in how to work with patients who have dementia, injuries, and chronic illnesses. This profession is incredibly rewarding, so if you’re interested, check out an accredited course today!