Three professional development courses focused on disability and ageing

The aged care and disability sectors are closely entwined; according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, one-in-two people aged 65 and over have a disability. In many cases, organisations are providing care services for clients who overlap with both aged care and disability care, meaning staff have to have the right knowledge to provide high-quality support.

Critical knowledge can be gained through a number of different channels with several leading organisations offering unique courses perfect for aged care professionals and workers at all levels. You can use the training yourself to enhance disability and ageing policies, or support your staff who are ready to take on a new challenge.

Hello Leaders has picked out our favourite professional development courses to help upskill aged care professionals focused on disability and ageing. 

The next step into leisure and health

While many entry-level aged care workers will begin life with a Certificate III in Individual Support, you can foster and encourage career development through a Certificate IV in Leisure and Health. 

The six-month VET course is available online and in person via a variety of educational providers and it’s a great step forward for aged care workers looking for career development. With a focus on how health and fitness benefits ageing people – including those with disability – your staff can be better involved in the design and implementation of programs and activities for residents and clients of all abilities. 

Key learnings

• Initially, students will learn how to assess and understand the physical needs of aged care residents and people with disabilities
• There is also a focus on skills and knowledge for the design, implementation and evaluation of leisure and health programs
• Students can better understand how a variety of programs and activities will benefit residents with different needs, including cognitive or physical impairment, but also potential cultural barriers
• A focus on resident outcomes allows students to see where existing programs can be improved to achieve the best result for individuals and the organisation

What sets it apart

Career progression for aged care staff is essential and the Certificate IV in Leisure and Health is accessible, insightful and beneficial for all staff. It can help your personal care workers move into key activity and leisure roles while maintaining existing relationships with residents or home care clients. Therefore, there’s no need to recruit externally, while you should achieve strong staff retention as employees are supported internally.

A focus on the environment of disability and ageing

The University of South Australia has two online courses targeted at ageing and disability that can provide a new perspective on what environmental, sociological and institutional features can impact ageing with a disability: (Dis)abling Societies: The Sociologies of Ageing and Disability and Ageing and Disability Friendly Environments. 

Each ten-week course can be studied as a single subject with no entry requirements required, making them perfect options for aged care staff and leaders interested in expanding their knowledge base. 

Key learnings

• Students will develop a deeper understanding of positive and healthy living for ageing people with disabilities
• A clear understanding on how the natural and built environment impacts ageing in place, including physical barriers, creates greater awareness of how society can support or restrict people with disabilities 
• Students are encouraged to critically assess and evaluate policy and planning which influences travel/mobility, independence and quality of life
• Past and present influences on disability and ageing will be assessed, including sociological theories
• Diversity will also be explored as students learn how gender, sexuality and ethnicity impact perceptions and experiences

What sets it apart

Unlike other courses, there is a greater emphasis on the world around ageing individuals with disabilities. Therefore, the learning outcomes suit senior management and executives focused on various issues impacting aged care recipients. The information gleaned from each course can influence policies, services, building design and health care. 

Dementia support for people with intellectual disabilities

Research shows people with intellectual disability are at an increased risk of developing dementia, with conditions such as Down syndrome carrying some of the highest risks. Because of the increased risk factor and the increased capabilities of aged care to care for people with high needs, it’s critical to have staff who can provide tailored care.

Dementia Australia provides a short course, Intellectual Disability and Dementia, which is essential for any staff providing care for people with dementia or residents with intellectual disabilities.

Key learnings

• Staff will learn how to best recognise the signs and symptoms of dementia from aged care clients with intellectual disability
• Participants can feel more confident when assessing and supporting care clients both in the home and a residential aged care setting
• A focus on normalcy and routine provides insight into the benefits of familiar routine and the resources available to aged care staff to support people living with intellectual disability and dementia
• Person-centred care is explored to ensure staff understand how to care for a high-needs care recipient with additional decision-making challenges

What sets it apart

The short course is one of the few face-to-face courses in Australia focused on dementia care for people with an intellectual disability. Its specialist focus provides participants with relevant content that will directly benefit residents and care recipients. Like all courses through the Centre for Dementia Learning, it can also be delivered to a larger workforce cohort or individually.