The Aged Care sector provides targeted health care and support services for elderly, frail, and senior individuals in the community. Aged Care services encompass a range of medical, nursing, allied health, general health, personal care, and support services. These are provided in hospitals, aged care residences, respite clinics, in an individual's own home, and in community and palliative care settings.
In Australia, the Aged Care sector provides targeted health care and support services for elderly, frail, and senior people in the community.Aged Care services encompass a range of medical, nursing, allied health, general health, personal care, and support services. These are provided in hospitals, aged care residences, respite clinics, in people’s own homes, and in community and palliative care settings.Aged Care services aim to optimise quality of life and support healthy aging.The Aged Care workforce is diverse and includes specialist and general doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, health care assistants and support staff.The Aged Care sector and workforce in Australia is set to grow and adapt into the future, especially in response to Australia’s aging population. This sector offers many pathways and opportunities for career development and advancement.
Nurses who work in aged care work in aged care residences, hospitals, respite residences, and other community or in-home settings. They provide high quality, person-and family-centred nursing care to elderly and frail residents, who may have dementia, complex clinical needs, rehabilitation needs post illness or injury, or are approaching the end of their life. Aged Care Nurses are involved in admission, care planning and evaluation. They provide clinical nursing care, manage and administer medications, and keep accurate and comprehensive documentation. They provide integrated health care to assist residents/individuals with their daily needs and support their quality of life. They educate caregivers and work together with families, management, and health providers, and within a multidisciplinary aged care team.Nurses working in aged care may be involved in palliative care and connecting families to spiritual and support services. They may be responsible for training and supervising junior nurses and teams of support staff. Employers usually request that nurses are registered, but there are roles available for different levels of nursing experience.