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With around 70 per cent of people with dementia living at home – many accessing home care services, and over 50 per cent of residents in care diagnosed with dementia, it is crucial that all care staff are equipped with the knowledge and skills to effectively and compassionately support people living with dementia.
Concern around a lack of skilled staff in aged care has been explored many times during the current Royal Commission. Supporting a person with dementia requires a very specific set of skills, and often this is not covered in aged care training. Staff who have completed a Certificate III in Aged Care may not have any training on how to support a person living with dementia.
Alzheimer’s WA now offers a range of accredited training options to ensure your staff have the knowledge and qualifications they need to provide the highest quality of care for people living with dementia. Alzheimer’s WA offers the only dementia learning pathway in Western Australia and the only Certificate IV course in Australia, and our skilled and highly qualified trainers have unique industry experience.
The CHC33015 Certificate III in Individual Support is an ideal minimum level of training for staff entering or already working in aged care, whether in residential care or home support. The course consists of 13 units (seven core and six electives) including one elective specifically to support people living with dementia, as well as a minimum 120 hours of work experience. It will provide staff entering the aged care sector with the knowledge and skills to ‘hit the ground running’ and provide outstanding care.
If staff already have a Certificate III in Aged Care, but do not have the dementia specific unit we can offer this individually. CHCAGE005 Provide support to people living with dementia is conducted over two days and provides the opportunity for participants to really explore the nature of dementia, it’s impacts on the person and how they can provide person-centred care in their workplace. Completion requires the participant to complete a written assessment as well as undergo a workplace assessment.
For staff already working with people living with dementia, who have previously completed a Certificate III or have substantial industry experience, the CHCSS00095 Dementia Support – Service Delivery Skill Set will provide the knowledge and skills required to address some of the more challenging aspects of caring for people with dementia. This course is ideal for organisations wanting to further enhance staff knowledge with highly developed dementia specialist skills. Completion requires staff to attend four full day workshops as well as written and workplace assessments.
The 10719NAT Certificate IV Innovation and Leadership in Dementia is the only Certificate IV course in dementia care in Australia, and is our highest qualification available. The course is designed for health and aged care professionals working with people living with dementia who want to push the boundaries of leadership and culture change in dementia care. The course consists of 16 units and runs over 12 months. Course topics include leadership and culture change, creating enabling environments, developing strategies to reduce stigma and providing support to people living with younger onset dementia.
For more information call 1300 66 77 88.
