Researchers from La Trobe’s Australian Centre for Evidence Based Aged Care (ACEBAC) are tackling a growing challenge in aged care.
“The number of older Australians with chronic, complex health needs living in nursing homes is increasing,” says lead researcher Associate Professor Jo Rayner.
“Providing high-quality care requires a skilled and knowledgeable workforce. Yet most nursing home staff are personal care workers who often lack the right education to support people with complex needs.”
“There is also no formal industry standard for an entry-level qualification for personal care workers, nor any government-mandated requirement,” Dr Rayner adds.
To address this gap, the ACEBAC team designed, developed and implemented two education packages for Australian personal care workers.
One program was informed by original research that identified the specific learning needs of the workforce, and the second informed by the best available evidence.
“These education packages meet the needs of the personal care workforce, providing choice and flexibility. One package can be delivered face to face and offers interactive learning in the context of care delivery, while the other is freely available online, allowing staff to complete modules in their own time.”
“This ensures the training is relevant and practical for day-to-day care delivery.”
The online program has also been successful internationally, highlighting its potential to support aged care workers around the world.
“By providing evidence-based, accessible learning opportunities, the education packages are helping ensure that older people receive the high-quality care they deserve,” says Dr Rayner.
