Three unique courses aged care workers can benefit from

Sometimes, education and training courses don’t quite fit any specific category, but they still provide specialised information, relevant to the aged care sector and your workers. It’s hard to find those courses if you don’t know where to look.

Hello Leaders has scoured the internet to save the day. We’ve picked three unique courses tackling some of the most critical issues and topics in aged care, including ageism, nutrition and creative arts. Each course is fresh, insightful and well-resourced. You can rest assured knowing your workers will be supported from start to finish by academics and professionals ready to instil change in the aged care industry.

Torrens University is challenging ageism

Launched this year, the Challenging Ageism short course offers a new perspective on ageism within aged care, health care and society as a whole. Studies have shown that ageism is rampant in Australia and the general attitude towards older people is entrenched in stereotypes and assumptions about ability and frailty.

That’s why Torrens University has stepped up with a free one-hour course that digs into what it means to be on the receiving end of ageist attitudes and the solutions available to workers in all roles. Professor Matthew Mundy, Executive Dean of Health and Education at Torrens University, said it’s vital to create more awareness regarding ageism inside health care and aged care settings.

“An ageist mindset in the health care sector can have long-term negative effects on a person’s health and wellbeing. As an institution that is training the next generation of health care professionals, we have a responsibility to ensure that our students can identify and avoid ageist preconceptions in their practice,” said Professor Mundy.

Key learnings

• Challenging Ageism outlines what ageism is, including key examples
• Students will understand who and where it comes from
• The serious mental and physical health consequences it may have for ageing Australians will be explored
• Students will also learn the strategies and solutions they can take to combat ageism in everyday settings

What sets it apart

Insight and evidence from the academic world give Challenging Ageism an expert perspective on ageism in Australia, with expert knowledge from author, Research Fellow and Senior Learning Facilitator Dr Rachel Ambagtsheer and Professor Justin Beilby, an academic GP. In addition, personal perspectives on ageing and ageism are intertwined with the coursework for an authentic educational experience. 

Promoting creativity for life

Older people need enriching lives within an aged care setting. They also need staff who are adept and experienced in engaging with them to create imaginative pieces of art. That’s where the University of Tasmania’s Creativity for Life can help. Your staff can enrol in this single undergraduate subject without needing to meet other essential entry requirements. It’s 100% online and perfect for aged care workers or lifestyle workers involved in resident activities. 

Key learnings

• Creativity for Life gives students a deeper understanding of the benefits of arts and creativity for older people
• Students will learn practical skills and methodologies to use in aged care settings
• Your staff can use this knowledge to lead activities that benefit residents with dementia and cognitive decline
• The course goes hand-in-hand with other professional development courses for dementia care

What sets it apart

UTAS has designed the course to be far more than a creative pursuit. Students will be taught how to critically think and reflect on interactions with residents. There will be an opportunity to lead creative tasks but your staff will learn how to critically analyse outcomes. Not only does this course provide individual development but it will help strengthen your ability to engage with and support residents with a wide range of abilities. 

Healthy eating for your residents

Although health and nutrition may seem like a specialist requirement in aged care, it’s important for all staff to be aware of the benefits of healthy eating. Your residents are at a point in time where nutrition is critical to health and well-being, so it pays for your staff to understand the impact of a well-balanced diet. Ausmed’s Healthy Eating for Older Adults achieves this, and recent content updates make it one of the most relevant entry-level courses around.

Key learnings

• Students will learn about the importance of nutrition and hydration in older people
• Discussions will focus on the best types of food to meet necessary nutritional needs
• A focus on management strategies for older people with poor food intake will provide crucial skills
• Once completed, students can also talk to residents about their needs with a greater understanding of how to change poor dietary habits

What sets it apart

With a clear approach to food and nutrition in older people, Healthy Eating doesn’t beat around the bush. Your staff will know how to work with residents to create better habits at meal times. In addition, it gives new or existing staff a greater insight into nutrition within aged care without complicating things. Easy accessibility to the learning resource means there’s no reason to skip it.