TAFELINK

There is more to caring for elderly people than the physical work of taking temperatures, bathing and feeding, and treating bedsores. Nursing staff and carers at the RSL Anzac Village at Narrabeen, on Sydney’s northern beaches, are recognising the importance of communication with residents as an essential part of their work.

Thanks to the work of trainers from TAFE NSW – Northern Sydney Institute, Northern Beaches College Community Services section, staff at the Village are gaining many new skills whilst studying for the Certificate III in Aged Care.

‘The training involves all the aspects of basic care but, importantly, also shows staff how to communicate with residents who may have dementia, and their families,’ said Susan Monti, Head Teacher Welfare Northern Beaches College, Northern Sydney Institute.

‘It’s vital for staff to be able to give this kind of psycho-social support and to be able to talk to residents about the psychological changes that may be taking place,’ Ms Monti said.

‘Time goes very slowly when you’re sitting in your bed for most of the day, so it’s important that staff take a little time to allow residents to express their needs. They have to be an advocate for their client, working in a person-centred way.’

A TAFE NSW trainer attends the Village at least once a week, observing staff practices and/or running day-long workshops on aged-care skills. Training for the Certificate III runs for six months.

The Institute does workplace assessment in partnership with the Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care and the Department of Community Services.

‘Communication skills are obviously paramount in this kind of work,’ said Renee Hissink, Learning and Development Manager, RSL LifeCare, which runs the Village. ‘You need compassion, commitment and integrity as well.'

‘With the structured classroom time, and the face-to-face work with TAFE NSW trainers, our staff find they are learning something new about aged-care all the time’ she said.