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.
Community Health Workers provide holistic and therapeutic support to people in the community. They provide personal care, and assist with daily tasks such as meal preparation, shopping, and attending appointments. They keep patient records and communicate with stakeholders to provide support within a wider health and caregiving team. Entry level Community Health roles in Aged Care usually require completion of (or working towards) a Certificate IV in Aged Care (or Mental Health/Disability/Community Services/ Indigenous Primary Health Care). Health Workers, including carers/individual support workers, and other operational, environmental, and non-clinical Health Care Support Workers and Assistants, work in hospitals, aged care residences, private clinics, and other community health settings. They support patients with personal hygiene, mobility, dressing, and feeding. They help keep health care equipment and environments safe, operational, and clean. Health workers support the wider health care team. The roles are varied with some requiring a minimum Certificate III in Individual Support, or similar, or on-the-job training.