Help people live with dignity and care.

Some people need help with everyday tasks due to age, illness or disability. As a professional in Aged and Disability Services, you support people with personal care, household duties and emotional wellbeing.

You’ll assist those who can’t care for themselves or their families. You may help with grooming, cooking and running errands. You’ll also offer emotional support and take part in social activities that improve their quality of life.

It is recommended that you obtain the available qualifications to give yourself the best possible chance of gaining employment. TAFE SA offers courses relevant to this occupation including the Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing), Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability) and Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing and Disability).

Studying at TAFE SA is one of the easiest and most successful pathways towards a University Degree. Dual offer courses are available to TAFE SA and Flinders University in Disability with the Certificate IV in Disability/Bachelor of Disability and Development Education.

Traineeships are available in this occupation; for further information go to the Traineeship and Apprenticeship Services website at www.skills.sa.gov.au or phone the Freecall number 1800 673 097.

Factors such as an ageing population have led to an increase in the number of employment opportunities for aged and disabilities carers. People are also becoming increasingly aware of the range of care services that are available. While in the past the elderly were often cared for by their families, this too is changing. Due to work or other commitments, there is often no one at home to undertake a full-time carer's role, creating a further increase in the demand for carers. These trends are expected to continue, although the large numbers in training may make the job market quite competitive.

Some carers progress on to careers in nursing, rehabilitation or social work.

Carers provide support services to elderly people or to those with disabilities. This can be in their clients' homes, at community service establishments or in nursing homes. Their duties vary from client to client. They may be required to provide assistance with personal care duties such as showering or dressing, and they may also assist with general household duties, such as washing and shopping, especially for clients who live independently. Some carers may take their clients on outings if they have difficulty moving around without assistance.

In addition to the practical assistance that professional carers provide, the simple gift of companionship, whether it is having a chat or enjoying a cup of tea with their client, is often just as important to an aged or disabled person.

Carers may work in private homes and community establishments. They may be required to work evenings, weekends and public holidays and may be required to live-in. Care workers must have a supportive and caring attitude and demonstrate a respect for the rights of others. They must be able to perform domestic duties efficiently, have the adaptability to work in different environments under limited supervision and also have good communication skills.

Care workers also need to be physically fit as there is a large manual component to the occupation from personal care and domestic duties.

This occupation requires people with a caring and supportive attitude towards people suffering from difficult circumstances. Patience and good decision-making are also useful traits for a prospective carer to have, as aged or disabled clients may need assistance in performing a range of activities. It also requires dedication as you may have to work in the evening, on weekends and public holidays or on a live-in basis. Organisations which employ aged or disabilities carers can arrange for a carer to be in someone's home on an hourly, daily, overnight or continuous basis. Clients who have just undergone an operation may feel more at ease if they know that a carer actually lives in their home and can assist them whenever a situation arises.

Kathy from Home Care Service has been an aged and disabilities care worker for four years. She has cared mostly for aged clients, and occasionally for young children with a disability. While she has had to deal with some demanding situations, she says that it is an occupation she finds very rewarding. 'I love it, partly because it is very challenging. Some people are more difficult than others and sometimes I ask myself why am I doing this? But helping people who are often just plain frustrated because they need help with things they were once able to do for themselves, is what makes it rewarding'.

For further information:

Health Services Union of Australia (SA)
Phone: (08) 8279 2255
Email: info@hsusant.org.au
Website: www.hsusant.org.au

Community Services and Health Industry Skills Council
Email: info@cshisc.com.au
Website: www.cshisc.com.au

Health Services Union of Australia
Phone: 1300 478 000
Website: www.hsu.net.au