Care for the Aged

Overview

Care for the Aged examines how older persons can receive assistance that respects their independence, preferences and wellbeing. Older people have different abilities, histories and care needs. A thoughtful caregiver should listen carefully and avoid assuming that age alone determines what a person can do.

Proposed Coverage

The topics below are a proposed curriculum focus, pending academic approval, rather than a confirmed syllabus.

Ageing, respectful communication, daily living assistance, accessible environments, safeguarding, caregiver wellbeing and the limits of a caregiver's role. This proposed coverage draws on the principle of care centred on the older person and coordination across relevant services, consistent with WHO's approach to integrated care for older people.

Intended Learners

Family caregivers, community volunteers and people interested in non-clinical assistance for older persons.

Proposed Outcomes and Assessed Work

Proposed outcomes include recognising daily living needs, communicating respectfully, identifying concerns that require referral and developing a suitable care support plan. An assessed project could use a teaching case to consider the older person's wishes, safety, available assistance and referral needs.

Any activity with a real person requires consent and the appropriate supervision. Personal health information must not be published in learner projects or public research summaries.