A Certificate IV in Ageing Support can set you on the path to a rewarding career in aged care services. You might plan to work in an aged care facility or for a community service provider. This course will give you the practical skills and theoretical knowledge to play an important role in supporting elderly people. The qualification also includes a work placement so you can gain valuable real world experience.
The Certificate IV in Ageing Support explores a range of aged care topics including empowering older people and providing support to people with dementia. You’ll look at using a palliative approach to care and learn strategies to maintain working relationships with carers and family. This course will show you how to coordinate services for older people and implement interventions for older people at risk.
Working with elderly clients can be extremely rewarding. If you enjoy supporting other people this could be an excellent career choice for you. Aged care workers should be patient and understanding and be able to communicate with clients, their families and other support providers. You’ll often need to call on your problem solving skills and you may be required to do some physical work including heavy lifting. Aged care workers usually work a range of shifts including weekends and holidays.
A Certificate IV in Ageing Support is an ideal course of study for the following careers:
Aged Care Team Leader
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Aged Care Team Leader supervises a team of workers as they support elderly clients. They might support people in their own homes or assist them in an aged care facility or nursing home. They may help clients with daily living tasks such as cleaning or cooking or take them out into the community or to health appointments. Aged Care Team Leaders may also attend to staffing issues such as training or rostering.
Residential Care Worker
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Residential Care Worker works in an aged care facility or nursing home to support elderly clients. They may attend to basic care tasks such as showering and dressing or they might assist with outings in the community or coordinating other support services. Residential Care Workers may encourage clients to take part in social or hobby activities and will also liaise with clients’ families and carers.
Diversional Therapist
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Diversional Therapist coordinates activities for elderly people living in aged care facilities or nursing homes. They might organise social events, physical movement sessions or recreational activities. Diversional Therapists might work with individual clients or a small group of people. They may also coordinate events for a larger group for special occasion activities or outings into the community.
Higher education pathways
A Certificate IV in Ageing Support is an excellent way to begin your career in aged care services. You might also want to expand your career opportunities with a Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance or a Certificate IV in Leisure and Health. If you want to further your career in aged care, you could also consider an Advanced Diploma of Community Sector Management. This will allow you to take on more managerial duties in an aged care facility or service.
If you decide to further your career in aged care services you could enrol in a university degree such as a Bachelor of Healthy Ageing or a Bachelor of Dementia Care. A university degree may increase your specialist knowledge and allow you to apply for employment in positions with greater responsibility. You may be able to use a Certificate IV in Ageing Support as a pathway to these courses.
Getting started
If you’re interested in starting a Certificate IV in Ageing Support it’s important that you request information from a range of course providers. There are usually some differences in how providers deliver their courses so this will allow you to compare details and find the right course for you. Make sure you ask about the duration of the course, the costs involved, any prerequisites and the content the course will cover. The Certificate IV in Ageing Support may be offered online or on campus.