Why working in aged care is a rewarding career choice

Aged care workers have one of the highest job satisfaction rates in Australia, meaning aged care workers seem to be more content with working then other jobs workers.

Studying an aged care course brings you one step closer to having a career that has a high satisfaction rate, various job prospects, and gives you self fulfillment and a rewarding feeling.

Having a rewarding job doesn’t just mean you make a profound impact on society; it can also have wonderful benefits for your own mental health.

Have value, meaning, and a purpose when you work in aged care. 

Aged care government funded courses in Melbourne

Skill First Funding is a Victorian government scheme initiated to subside and waive entire fees for some tertiary courses.

Government funded courses in Melbourne exist because certain workplaces need to have more staff than they currently do. The initiative is to create more skilled workers, ready to enter a growing workforce!

So not only does this mean that you could study a free aged care course, but it may also mean job security at the end of your studies!

Why working with the elderly is rewarding

There are many reasons why working in aged care is a good career choice. Some of the most favourable parts of working in aged care include:

• A diverse range of tasks, making every day different
• Flexible work schedule
• Many work opportunities
• High work demand
• Gain a true sense of fulfilment and reward

Today, we go into detail on the latter point on why exactly aged care is a rewarding career choice and why it gives people this sense of fulfillment.

Develop relationships

When you work in aged care you develop relationships with clients and patients who you see and attend to on a daily basis.

The elderly often have a lot to say, especially when they’re living in a nursing home or they are not able to leave the house daily. 

So working in aged care means you will be a good listener and communicator who can have meaningful conversations with the elderly.

Whether you’re not much of a talker or are a major extrovert, developing relationships can come naturally as clients talk to you and can choose to just listen.

Over time you will build relationships and get to know who these people are and even find common ground with them.

Maintain people’s health and wellbeing

As we touched on above, your day-to-day will vary considerably, based on the clients you are working with and the aged care environment in which you are employed. You may assist clients in taking their medications, helping them eat during meal times, and supervise physical activity.

Sometimes the best medicine and rehabilitation for the elderly can just be to have a person present to guide them on how to do simple tasks. 

As we age, we may lose our sense of independence, but this gentle guidance can have a profound effect on their mental health, helping them to feel happier and healthier, and helping you feel fulfilled in your career!

Make a difference in society

Currently, there are approximately 365,000 aged care workers in Australia caring for around 1.3 million people. 

It’s estimated that the number of people needing care is expected to reach 4 million in just 30 years. Making up a significant part of our society, eldery people (as well as their families) depend on aged care workers to offer care and compassion during their golden years. 

Society needs aged care workers like you to make a real impact on an elderly person’s physical and mental wellbeing.

What personal qualities are important in aged care?

While aged care can be for anyone, there are a number of qualities that are important if you wish to work with the elderly.

These include:

• Patience – Older people can be slower to understand, communicate, and move
• Honesty – An open line of dialogue between staff and managers ensures safety for everyone
• Organised – Older people need to eat and take medication on time and rely on schedules to feel safe and comfortable
• Responsible – Caring for others is rewarding, but also carries a heavy degree of responsibility

What training is needed to work with the elderly?

There are a few different aged care courses in Melbourne you can undertake in order to work in aged care. Academia offers the following courses.

Certificate III in Individual Support

The Certificate II in Individual Support (Ageing, Home, and Community) at Academia covers both theoretical learning and practical training in order to support the elderly.

This Certificate enables you to become a general support worker or to partake in various community service roles.

Certificate IV in Ageing Support

If you are striving for a leadership or managerial position, you might consider enrolling in the Certificate IV in Aged Care at Academia.

This course will help you:

• Empower people with disabilities or mobility issues 
• Practise safety work practices
• Provide care through a palliative approach

Diploma of Community Services

Wanting to continue your studies or open up even more career opportunities?

You can do so with the Diploma of Community Services at Academia.

In the Diploma, you’ll learn how to manage work health and safety and how to deal with complex cases between clients.

Before working in Aged Care, you will also need to complete your First Aid certificate and undergo a Police Check.

Study aged care in Melbourne with Academia!

Academia is located in Melbourne’s CBD and offers both on-campus and online learning.

Enrolling in our aged care training services in Melbourne gives you the best skills, insight, and practical training to take with you as you begin your career.
Contact Academia’s Melbourne campus today on (03) 9671 4755 or alternatively, fill out this form and we will be in touch! We look forward to helping you take the first step towards a rewarding and fulfilling career in aged care.