Course Title: Work effectively with older people

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2012

Course Code: HWSS5563C

Course Title: Work effectively with older people

School: 365T Global Studies, Soc Sci & Plng

Campus: City Campus

Program: C3260 - Certificate III in Home and Community Care

Course Contact : Susan Russell

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 99254637

Course Contact Email:susan.russell@rmit.edu.au

Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Nominal Hours: 30

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

Not Applicable

Course Description

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required by the worker to perform work that reflects understanding of the structure and profile of the residential aged care sector and key issues facing older people in the community.

National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:	CHCAC318A Work effectively with older people
Element:	Apply understanding of changes associated with ageing.
Performance Criteria:	1. Take into account physical changes associated with ageing when delivering services 2. Apply knowledge of common problems associated with ageing when delivering services 3. Assist the older person to recognise the impact that changes associated with ageing may have on their activities of living 4. Communicate situations of risk or potential risk associated with ageing to the older person
Element:	Apply understanding of the home and community care sector.
Performance Criteria:	1. Demonstrate broad knowledge of policy and programs such as HACC, DVA and Government community care directions 2. Comply with duty of care implementation in home and community settings and worker roles 3. Demonstrate broad knowledge of ’ageing in place’
Element:	Apply understanding of the physical and psychosocial aspects of ageing.
Performance Criteria:	1. Outline strategies that the older person may adopt to promote healthy lifestyle practices 2. Take into account physical changes associated with ageing when delivering services 3. Recognise and accommodate the older person’s interests and life activities when delivering services 4. Assist the older person to recognise the impact physical changes associated with ageing may have on their activities of living
Element:	Apply understanding of the structure and profile of the residential aged care sector.
Performance Criteria:	1. Conduct work that reflects an understanding of the key issues facing older people and their carer/s 2. Conduct work that reflects an understanding of the current philosophies of service delivery in the sector 3. Recognise the impact of ageing demographics on funding and service delivery models 4. Conduct work that reflects an understanding of current legislation
Element:	Deliver services within a quality framework.
Performance Criteria:	1. Identify key aspects of the quality framework and how they link together 2. Demonstrate understanding of regulatory/ accreditation quality standards in relation to delivery of services 3. Ensure work practices reflect the organisation’s policies and procedures 4. Complete documentation that feeds into the quality system 5. Participate in quality improvement activities
Element:	Demonstrate commitment to the philosophy of 'positive ageing'.
Performance Criteria:	1. Take into account personal values and attitudes when planning and implementing work activities 2. Recognise and manage ageist attitudes through the support of the appropriate person 3. Recognise the impact of changing expectations of clients, their family and the wider community in relation to service delivery 4. Conduct work that reflects an understanding of the individuality of ageing 5. Conduct work that minimises the effects of stereotypical attitudes and myths on the older person
Element:	Support the older person who is experiencing loss and grief.
Performance Criteria:	1. Recognise signs that older person is experiencing grief and report to appropriate person 2. Use appropriate communication strategies when older person is expressing their fears and other emotions associated with loss and grief 3. Provide older person and/or their support network with information regarding relevant support services as required
Element:	Support the rights and interests of the older person.
Performance Criteria:	1. Encourage and support the older person and/or their advocate/s to be aware of their rights and responsibilities 2. Conduct work that demonstrates a commitment to access and equity principles 3. Adopt strategies to empower the older person and/or their advocate/s in regard to their service requirements 4. Provide information to the older person and/or their advocate/s to facilitate choice in their decision-making 5. Recognise and report to an appropriate person when an older person’s rights are not being upheld 6. Provide services regardless of diversity of race or cultural, spiritual, or sexual preferences 7. Provide information to the older person and/or their advocate/s regarding mechanisms for lodging complaints 8. Identify indicators of elder abuse and respond appropriately in line with organisation guidelines

Learning Outcomes

The worker will confidently demonstrate the basic knowledge and application of the quality principles and accreditation standards in aged care and home and community care, they will have an understanding of the ageing demographics and the contemporary issues facing older people in the community. They will also have acquired foundation knowledge of common physiological, chronic and age-related conditions such as; arthritis, depression, diabetes, frailty and deconditioning, heart and lung disease, incontinence, neurological disorders, skin disorders including skin cancer, stroke and vascular disease. They will be able to demonstrate the understanding of the impact of ’normal’ ageing of the older person within a non-ageist and accepting attitude. To be able to apply the principles of access, equity and client rights when working in an aged care sector. The worker will be able to recognise signs of deteriorating health and function and refer to the supervisor and appropriate health professional.

Details of Learning Activities

Learners will participate in class room discussions, problem solving within individual and team groups. They will be encouraged to express their concerns and ideas both negative and positive. They will participate in role play scenarios in a simulated environment within the frame work of expected outcomes and discuss the reality of the outcomes via their own/trainers experience with in the appropriate work environment. They will participate in questionnaires, case studies and practical placement. All within the content’s of this unit. 

Teaching Schedule

The teaching schedule is designed in a time table format, outlining the specific elements linked to  specific units that will be taught on the said session and double up as a lesson plan. Scenarios, case studies, questionnaires, role plays, viewing DVDs and class discussions will be designed using the appropriate contents matching up with the performance criteria and may be used for teaching purposes for this unit.. As this unit is quite intense it is suggested that all learners attend each session, and the session shall be presented in a manner to cater for all individuals own learning requirements.

Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

References

Other Resources

Learning resources are provided via booklets created to cover the essential information referring to the unit applied and are supplied to all learners attending the program. Updated handouts are also given to all students and frequent face to face discussion re DVDs that may be viewed.

Overview of Assessment

Assessments for this unit will be implemented by observation within a workplace environment and will be supervised by a trained staff member. Case studies and scenario analysis will be conducted with in the class room environment as well as questionnaires. However assessments are subject to change in view of suitability at time of assessment, at least one of the mentioned will be implemented.

Assessment Tasks

A leaner must be able to demonstrate an understanding of the  essential knowledge required to effectively do the task outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit. Assessments methods have been designed to achieve the competencies of this unit in a flexible manner and over a range of assessment tasks. Learners will participate in 100 hours of practical placement to demonstrate their essential knowledge and skills to meet the competencies and expected outcomes of this unit. Students will need to complete a practical placement competency matrix, signed and witnessed by the appropriate authorities to ensure the ability to perform their expected tasks  meet the criteria of competencies for this unit.

Assessment Matrix

 

Course Overview: Access Course Overview