The Australian Centre for Evidence Based Aged Care (ACEBAC) recently celebrated a significant milestone, conducting the 200th Comprehensive Health Assessment of the Older Person Workshop (CHAOP).
Since the program began, more than 3,480 nurses across metropolitan, regional and rural areas have taken part.
Professor Deirdre Fetherstonhaugh, Director of ACEBAC, said the workshops are addressing a critical need in aged care.
“Nurses must be able to conduct comprehensive health assessments with older people to perform their roles effectively. In residential aged care, rising acuity is creating a more complex nursing environment, making it essential for staff to have the knowledge, skills and confidence to identify changes in residents’ health and wellbeing.”
Designed specifically for nurses who work in Victorian residential aged care homes, the CHAOP workshops involve three days of interactive, hands-on skills development, aided by simulation manikins.
Professor Fetherstonhaugh said the workshops have received overwhelmingly positive feedback.
“For most nurses attending these workshops, it’s their first time learning to conduct a comprehensive health assessment for an older person. Many reported increased knowledge and greater confidence in these skills.”
Of the 200 workshops conducted so far, 150 have been government funded and free for attendees. A further 131 free workshops. managed by the Victorian Department of Health through the Commonwealth Government’s Strengthening Medicare – Supporting Older Australians initiative, will take place through to June 2028.
For more information: https://bit.ly/47b1wa2
