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Aged Care and Counselling
Aged Care and Counselling Level 3 100 Hours Certificate Course
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Learn About Aged Care and Counselling
AGED CARE AND COUNSELLING ONLINE COURSE
Develop Your Skills in Caring for Elderly People
Looking to begin a Career in the Aged Care Industry? Love caring for elderly people? This excellent 100 hour Certificate course, will help you get started.
The course focuses on helping you develop the necessary skills needed to work in the Aged Care Industry, which is one of the fastest-growing industries in the world. There is a shortage of skilled/trained personnel. This entry level course provides a pathway into your career in the Aged Care Industry.
You’ll learn how to support older people’s physical and mental health needs, such as:
- Find out how to care for the elderly.
- Understand how depression affects the elderly.
- Understand the impact of physical, mental, and lifestyle changes that come with aging.
- Learn how to support grieving people in the right way.
- Explore the techniques that can be used to help the elderly in their daily lives.
Several things change in a person’s life as they grow older, ranging from their lifestyle to their health and their capacity to do things, to the activities they choose. As we age, our bodies gradually lose their ability to function normally.
Organs such as the heart, kidneys, lungs, as well as biological systems like the reproductive and digestive systems are directly affected by these changes. Age often leads to a deterioration of our senses of hearing and vision, a slowing of our memory, and a slowing down of our response time. These changes impact the whole person.
The definition of ‘old’ has also changed over the years. People tend to live longer thanks to medical advances, improved hygiene, and sanitation. In developed countries, life expectancy has increased from 50 years of age to over 80 years of age.
Several factors affect our life expectancy, such as where we live, our health, and the availability of services. It is expected that a country with a high infant mortality rate will have a shorter life expectancy than a country with a lower infant mortality rate.
A growing number of developed countries are able to increase the life expectancy of their residents, but this leads to an ever increasing number of elderly people needing aged care services.
While many aspects of counselling apply to all ages, working with the elderly requires different skills and knowledge to ensure they receive appropriate support.
People who are younger often find it difficult to comprehend what being elderly might be like; however, if they gain insight into the ageing process they are much better equipped to understand and empathize with them.
Learn what happens to a person’s state of mind as they age. Discover ways in which a counsellor, carer or anyone else might interact with and support an older person. Expand your knowledge and skills for professional development, or to better help those around you.
Using This Course Can Benefit You In A Number Of Ways!
Society benefits greatly from studying aged care. A growing share of the world population is elderly, particularly in developed countries. As the global population expands, so does the proportion of elderly people.
The needs of the elderly are unique, and there are not enough qualified people to meet them.
As a result of taking this course, students learn how to assist the elderly in coping with many of the challenges that come with aging.
Courses like this can be studied alone or as a part of a certificate or higher level qualification. The course is designed for those who work or hope to work in the following areas:
- Aged care
- Providing counseling to the elderly
- Counselling
- Psychology
- Caring roles
- Health professions
- Caring for Elderly People
Lesson Structure: Aged Care and Counselling BPS212
There are 9 lessons:
- Understanding Ageing
- Gerontology,
- What do we mean by Ageing? Population Ageing,
- The Effects of the Ageing Population,
- Theories of Human Development, Eriksons Theory of Development,
- Levinson,
- Theories of Retirement,
- Disengagement Theory,
- Activity Theory,
- Atchley’s Model of Retirement
- Lifestyle Changes
- Relationships,
- Relationships with Children,
- Relationships with Partners (Husband/wife),
- Relationships with Grandchildren,
- Friendships, Sexuality and Older People,
- Cognitive Changes,
- Intelligence,
- Depression,
- Determining Type of Depression,
- Unipolar Disorder, Bipolar Disorder,
- Causes of Depression,
- Risk factors for Depression,
- Men and Depression,
- Depression in Older People,
- Symptoms
- Deterioration of Health
- Physical Changes Skin,
- Hair, Height,
- Senses,
- Reflexes,
- Sex, Eyes,Chronic Health Problems,
- Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Gout, etc.
- Exercise, Diet, Nutrition, Eating habits, etc.
- Pain relief, Medication, Stress.
- Support Services
- Preventative Services,
- Occupational Therapists,
- Physiotherapists,
- Complimentary Practitioners,
- Counseling Professionals,
- Other Support Services (eg. Meals on Wheels, Funeral Services)
- Enablement Techniques
- Common Risks for Elderly: Risk of Falling, Vision, Hearing, Nutrition, Sexuality.
- Techniques to maintain Quality of Life: Driving a car, banking, shopping, house cleaning, Gardening, Socialising, Pets, Exercise, Sport
- Grief and Loss Counseling
- What is grief,
- Psychological aspects of Long Term Grief:
- Family, Work, Financial, Loneliness, Morality after bereavement,
- Counselors Response and Intervention,
- Practical Intervention, Depression
- Debilitating and Terminal Illness
- Dementia,
- Kinds of Dementia (Alzheimer’s, Vascular Dementia);
- Strategies for Counseling the Demented Client;
- Communication, Daily Activities, Sleeping Difficulties, Hallucinations and Delusions, Wandering, Depression, Terminal Illness: Patients Response, Anxiety, Depression, Guilt & Anger, Defense Mechanisms.
- Preparing for Approaching Death; Practical Preparations, Emotional Responses, Responses of Friends and Family
- Losing a Loved One
- Importance of Loss,
- Assessment,
- Role of the Deceased,
- Death of a Child,
- Stigmatised Death,
- Co-Morbidity.
- Counseling Strategies: Bibliotherapy, Use of Rituals, Bereavement Support Groups.
- Special Therapeutic Situations: Traumatic, Sudden, and Stigmatised Loss, Ongoing Support, Social Stigmas of Suicide
- Ethics and Intervention
- Barriers to Aged Care Counseling,
- Addressing the Clients Needs,
- Common Legal and Ethical Issues in aged Care: Decision Making Capacity, Competence, Informed Consent, Confidentiality, Euthanasia, etc
Skills/Aims – Learning Goals: Aged Care and Counselling BPS212
- To discuss theories of aging, and to develop an understanding of the different stages of human development.
- To describe the psychological impact of changes which occur as a person reaches old age
- To understand the effect of physical health problems on older people.
- Describe the nature and scope of support services, including counseling, for the elderly.
- Describe a range of solutions that can enable an elderly person to adapt to changed circumstances in order to continue performing tasks or pursuing interests that are becoming increasingly difficult for them.
- Explain how a variety of counseling techniques can be applied to specific Grief and loss situations for counseling elderly persons.
- Develop a strategy for counseling an elderly person who has been diagnosed with a debilitating or terminal illness.
- Develop a strategy for counseling an elderly person who has lost a loved one.
- Determine when and how to intervene in the life of an elderly person
PROFESSIONALS INVOLVED IN SUPPORTING OLDER PEOPLE
Caring for Elderly People may require additional professional services. These may include:
Occupational Therapists
Occupational therapists help people to find ways to remain independent despite any physical difficulties. They will give practical advice on how to cope with everyday tasks such as cooking, dressing, washing. They can also provide special equipment to help with these chores, and inform older people where they can find the necessary equipment. They also practice basic medical skills, such as making splints to support and protect joints in those affected in a severe way by arthritis. They can also offer advice on:
- Employment
- Health benefits
- Cars
- Wheelchairs
- Ways to get around
- How to look after vulnerable joints
- Leisure activities
- Making homes more accessible
- Aids and adaptations.
An older person will usually be referred to an occupational therapist by their doctor. The occupational therapist may visit the person’s house to see how it can be altered to suit the person better.
Physiotherapists
Physiotherapists specialise in human movement with the aim of keeping the person active and free of pain. They are usually based in hospitals or clinics. They can provide a range of services such as:
- Hydrotherapy: exercise sessions in heated water that can help to lessen pain and improve mobility.
- Advice on how to minimise the impact of conditions, such as arthritis on a person’s lifestyle and work.
- Pain relieving treatments, such as:
- Acupuncture
- Massage
- Electrotherapy
Physiotherapists can also help elderly people by:
- designing special exercise programmes to mobilise their joints and strengthen their muscles
- demonstrating to the person relaxation techniques aimed at reducing stress and muscle tension, which can help alleviate conditions such as arthritis.
Complementary Practitioners
Older people may sometimes seek complementary practitioners to help with their physical and emotional changes. Before they seek a complementary practitioner, it is important to ensure that:
- The advice of their doctor is sought.
- The practitioner is reliable. Do they belong to an organisation that sets standards?
- They are experienced in working with older people
- They are experienced in working with people with the elderly person’s condition.
- The treatment does not interfere with their medication
- It is affordable
- The number of sessions required before the benefits are felt is discussed
- The client feels comfortable with the practitioner
- The practitioner provides their credentials
- The client is not encouraged to believe in miracle cures
- The client does not stop taking medication or stop any other treatments.
Aids to Communication
There are professionals who are involved in helping older people to continue to communicate. For example, older people may be reluctant to use a hearing aid. Perhaps they are reluctant to accept the physical effects of ageing or are concerned about the stigma of deafness. Modern hearing aids are very much improved compared to a few decades ago. They may not return hearing to normal, but they will help a person substantially.
SOME EXAMPLES OF ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS
Alexander Technique: This is a way of teaching people to stand better in order to improve their posture and to move more efficiently. In so doing, a favourable alignment of the head, neck, and back can be developed and maintained to reduce unnecessary bodily stress. It can be used to alleviate pain and to promote rehabilitation.
Aromatherapy: Involves the burning of essential oils from trees, plants and flowers, and is considered to be soothing and relaxing. It can be combined with bathing, but is usually combined with massage.
Chiropractic: This involves manipulation of the bones and muscles to improve mobility and reduce pain, by adjusting the joints in the spine and limbs where there are signs of restricted movement. The spine is of particular focus because disorders are considered to emerge from the nervous system. This is not recommended for people with inflamed joints or osteoporosis.
Homeopathy: This is a system of remedies based on giving people very small amounts of a substance that in larger amounts can produce symptoms similar to the condition that is being treated. In other words, some diseases can be cured by administering minute doses of the disease to stimulate the body’s own defence mechanisms.
Osteopathy: Osteopathy involves physical manipulation of bones and muscles to restore normal action to the body and reduce pain. This is also not recommended for people with osteoporosis or inflamed joints.
Reflexology: This is massage which uses pressure to stimulate certain reflex zones of the feet, hands or head which are thought to improve the health of various organs of the body, or to promote general well being.
Yoga: This involves using a combination of relaxation, breathing techniques and exercise to combat stress and help movement and circulation to the joints.
Acupuncture: Acupuncture involves inserting the tips of needles along the energy lines of the body, which are thought to stimulate the energy flow and reduce pain by restoring a healthy balance of energy.
Herbalism: This is the use of plants and herbal remedies to treat illness.
COUNSELLIING PROFESSIONALS
Counsellors: Counsellors provide guidance for clients and a support system, rather than working with the deeper levels of the psyche. However, there are other therapists who work with people with difficulties.
Psychoanalyst: This is someone who has been trained in the theory and techniques of psychoanalysis. Initially they may have been trained as a physician, psychiatric social worker or psychologist. However, it is possible for people from many different backgrounds to train to be a psychoanalyst. Their training will involve several years of personal analysis. Psychoanalysis is the term used to describe Freud’s set of theories about human behaviour and the form of treatment of mental disorders he devised. However, psychoanalysis has developed considerably since Freud’s time.
A psychotherapist is a practitioner of psychotherapy. S/he is usually a psychiatrist, a clinical psychologist or a psychiatric social worker. Psychotherapy is the use of psychological techniques to treat psychological disturbances. The four main forms of psychotherapy are behavioural, cognitive, humanistic and psychoanalysis. There are many variations of the four approaches.
A clinical psychologist is a practitioner of clinical psychology. They may also be psychotherapists, but this is not essential. They may work in hospitals or clinics or may have a private practice. Clinical psychology is the branch of psychology concerned with the application of psychological theory and research to the treatment and diagnosis of mental, emotional and behavioural problems.
A Psychiatrist is a person who specialises in psychiatry. Psychiatry is the branch of medicine that covers mental illness. The subject matter of psychiatry overlaps to a great extent with clinical psychology, the main difference being in the training of the psychiatrist and the clinical psychologist. A psychiatrist has no training in psychology, other than psychopathology and uses the medical model to deal with mental disorders.
The clinical psychologist is not medically trained, cannot prescribe drugs and tends to view normal and abnormal behaviour as on the same continuum.
Role of the Counsellor
Counselling means different things to different people. It is not a get well quick option, offering quick answers, but is asking the person to engage in a process and an exploration. There are many definitions of counselling. A simple version is that counselling is a working relationship where the client is helped to explore and manage what is happening in their life by making changes. It is a form of psychological or talking therapy that offers people the ability to change how they live and feel.The aim of counselling is to provide the client with a more satisfying experience of life. Everyone has different needs, so counselling can be concerned with many different aspects of a person’s life. They may wish to undertake traditional counselling or prefer online or telephone counselling. Counselling can help them to retain their self-sufficiency, build better relationships and help them to make and act on their choices. The role of the counsellor is to facilitate the person’s resolution of these issues, whilst respect their values, personal resources, culture and capacity for choice. Counselling can provide people with a regular time and space to talk about their problems and explore difficult feelings in a confidential and dependable environment.
Counsellors do not usually offer advice, but instead give insight into the client’s feelings and behaviour and help the client change their behaviour if necessary. They do this by listening to what the client has to say and commenting on it from a professional perspective. Counselling covers a wide spectrum from the highly trained counsellor to someone who uses counselling skills as part of their role, for example, a nurse or teacher.
Many people provide counselling skills in their daily lives. However, sometimes it may be inappropriate for an individual to use their usual methods of support. They may not want to discuss their problems with a friend or family member. They may feel that the person is too close, that they do not want them to know their confidential problems. Indeed, the person they would usually confide in might be part of the problem. Hence, they may prefer to seek the services of a counsellor. Counsellors are trained to be effective helpers in difficult or sensitive situations. They should be independent, neutral and professional, as well as respecting of privacy. Counselling can help people to clarify their problems, identify changes they would like to make, get a fresh perspective, consider other options and look at the impact that life events have made on their emotional wellbeing.
Counselling can help people to come to terms with specific issues. It works best if the client enters counselling of their own free will. Counselling is a specific arrangement between the counsellor and the client. It is not about making judgements.
There are five elements that must be in place for counselling to work, as follows:
- A contract between the counsellor and client
- A warm and trusting, professional relationship
- The focus is on the client
- A space where the client feels safe
- A place where the client is able to share difficult feelings in an accepting atmosphere.
EBOOK TO COMPLIMENT THIS COURSE
Counselling Handbook Ebook
The engaging world of the human psyche is thrown open in this deep and intriguing ebook. Multiple case studies help the reader explore this fascinating subject in depth.
Counselling Handbook
by the Staff of ACS
Counselling Handbook eBook course online. Full of interesting case studies, this ebook is a wonderful introduction to the complex world of the human psyche. Expand your mind and learn about what makes people tick.
Are you a good listener? Hone your skills by learning popular counselling theories and techniques.
You will learn about:
- Listening skills
- Non-verbal communication
- Influencing skills
- Defense mechanisms
- Our perception of others
- Attributions
- Convariance theory
- Lay epistemology
(and many more such things that may not make sense now but will by the end of the book).
Contents:
1. Where can counselling be used?
2. How to see behind the mask.
3. Emotions and attitudes.
4. How to communicate better when all you have is words.
5. Theory versus practice.
6. Diffusing difficult situations.
7. Golden rules or tips.
8. Appendicies.
Extract from book:
We don’t know for sure how much of our communication is non-verbal. Estimates vary from 50% to the 80%. Non-verbal communication becomes more significant, the more mixed the messages are. So if a person is saying one thing, but their body is saying something else, we will tend to pay more attention to what their body is saying to us. Most of us are aware that this is a sign of attempted deception.
Meharabian (1971) carried out a study to see how people decide if they like each other. They looked at facial expressions and spoken words. Participants had to listen to a recording of a female saying one word “maybe” in three tones of voice – neutral, like and dislike. The subjects were then shown photographs of a female face with three expressions – neutral, like and dislike. They were asked to guess which emotion the person in the photograph, the person on the recording and both together were experiencing.
The participants were more accurate in guessing the emotion of the photographs than the voice at a ratio of 3:2. Meharabian also carried out another study where participants had to listen to nine words. Three showed liking (dear, thanks, honey), three showed disliking (brute, terrible, don’t) and three showed neutrality (oh, maybe, really). The words were spoken in different tones. The participants were asked to guess the emotions behind the words. They found that tone carried more meaning than the word.
They concluded that:
■Without seeing and hearing non-verbal messages, there can be more chance of misunderstanding.&
Assessment is based on a combination of completing all assignments and sitting for a final short one and a half hour exam, in your own location.
If you don’t cope well with exams then you may elect to undertake a project instead. This is a popular option.
In addition, most modules have a Set Task at the end of each lesson placed before the assignment. This is an opportunity to undertake practical work to help you acquire knowledge and skills and practical experience. This ADL feature is an added bonus not found at most online schools. Set Tasks are not required for assessment.
Some courses also have optional Self-Tests which are available on our online learning platform. These are not available by correspondence or by USB, and do not form part of your overall grade.
- Choose Your Learning Method
You choose how you would like to receive your course material, i.e., Online, USB or Correspondence. The choice is yours. You may also work on online or offline. - Tutor Allocation
Every student is assigned their own dedicated tutor who is an expert in their subject area. They provide as much or as little individual contact as you require. You can contact your tutor whenever you need – your hours are not limited. - Feedback and Assignments
Tutor Feedback is an essential component in helping you understand the subject matter. Tutor feedback is given in the form of notes written on the assignment. We encourage you to contact your Tutor where help with clarification and understanding of course material may be required.
Your assignments are located at the end of each lesson. You submit them for marking whenever you are ready. There is no time limit. - Set Tasks and Self-Tests
Most modules have a Set Task at the end of each lesson before for the assignment. This is where you get the opportunity to undertake practical work to help you acquire knowledge, skills and practical experience. Many modules also have short Self-Tests. - Exams
Once all assignments have been completed you may then elect to sit for a one and half hour exam in your own location. If you prefer not to take the exam you do have the option to undertake a project instead.
Once the exam or project part of the course is completed, your Certificate is then processed. Please allow approximately 4 weeks for this. - Design Your Own Qualification
ADL offers students the flexibility to self-design their own qualification – bundling together a combination of 100-hour modules into a qualification higher than a certificate.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Here is a list of the most often asked FAQ’s.
General
Q. Why should I enrol with the Academy for Distance Learning?
A. Here at ADL, our students are our priority – we treat everyone as a unique individual.
Q. Do I need to buy text books?
A. No, as each module has been written by highly qualified industry professionals. The content of the material is presented in such a way that text books are not required. However, if you require additional reading your tutor will be able to supply a list.
Q. What happens if I have to stop studying for a while? (eg. become sick, go on holidays, have a baby, move house, etc)
A. It’s OK to take a break and start up your study at a later point in time. Just let us know.
Q. Is there an age limit?
A. There is no maximum age limit. We do however, have a minimum age limit of 18 years. Below that age parental consent would be required.
Q. Are your courses up-to date?
A. Our courses are revised and updated on a rotation system.
Q. Do you have a Cancellation policy?
A. Yes. We have a cancellation policy that is fair and equitable. For further details please click here.
Q. Will I have any opportunity to engage with other students?
A. We have a Student Community group based on facebook! If you don’t have a facebook account already, you could make one just for talking with fellow students on the group.
Enrolment
Q. When can I enrol/start?
A. You may enrol and start at any time of the year – it’s all self- paced.
Q. Can I study from anywhere in the world?
A. Our courses are available to anyone, anywhere in the world from the comfort of your own home. The course content is relevant to any country, culture or economy.
Q. How long do I have to complete the course?
A. You complete the course at any time that is convenient for you.
Q. Completing a 100 hour module – how long will it take?
A. For some students a 100 hour module will take approximately to 3- 6 months to complete. Others take less time and some even longer.
Assessment
Q. Assessment – how does it work?
A. For each 100 hour module you are assessed by assignments (at the end of each lesson) and a final one and a half hour exam (or you may elect to complete a Project, instead of sitting the exam) – the choice is yours – you sit for the exam in your own location.
Q. I don’t cope well with exams – what can I do?
A. You may elect to undertake a Project (set by your tutor) instead of sitting the exam. Projects are completed from your home and can usually take a couple of weeks to complete.
Q. If my assignment is not up to standard is there an opportunity to resubmit my work?
A. Yes –
Q. How many assignments do I need to complete for each module?
A. At the end of each lesson, there is an assignment – so if a course has say, 10 lessons, there would be 10 assignments.
Q. I am having difficulty attending workshops/industry meetings, what can be done?
A. If your course requires attendance at workshops, conferences, or industry meetings; alternative arrangements can be made in your country.
Qualifications
Q. What qualification will I receive?
A. For individual modules, you would be awarded a Certificate endorsed by TQUK (Training Qualifications, UK), providing you complete all assignments and the exam. If you just want to complete only the assignments and not sit for the exam or finish a Project, then a Letter of Achievement would be awarded. For more details on qualifications available please click here.
Q. Can I customize my diploma/higher qualification?
A. Not all educational institution’s certificates /diplomas meet everyone’s needs. The opportunity to Design Your Own Diploma at the Academy (subject to our approval) is an added bonus, not found at other colleges. You choose modules that you think will help you in achieving your goal.
Q. What do I get when I complete the course? Will I receive a transcript?
A. At the completion of all courses and providing all assignments and exam requirements have been met, you will receive your Award and a Transcript.
Tutors
Q. Our tutors – who are they?
A. We appoint Tutors and require that they must be currently active in their industry, with at least 5 years’ experience in their chosen profession.
Q. Can I contact my tutor at any time?
A. Yes – you have unlimited access to your tutor via email through our Online Classroom. You can always leave a message with ADL requesting your tutor to contact you. You decide on how much or how little contact you wish to have.
Q. Practical work – How is this done?
A. To find out more about this part of the course please visit the section on How Our Courses Work here.
What your tuition fees include
- All Course Material via Online, USB or Correspondence
- Assignments Marked
- Professional Tutor Feedback
- Set Tasks - Practical Exercises to help you develop skills
- Self-Tests – multiple choice questions at the end of lessons in most modules
- Unlimited Personal Tutor Support – via our student classroom
- Committed and Friendly Admin Support – vital to your success
- All ADL Exam or Project fees (exception RHS exams)
- Qualification Certificate
- Official Transcript with assignment grades
- Student Manual
Plus FREE
- Academic Writing course (optional - 10 hours only)
- Critical Thinking course (optional - 10 hours only)
- Job Seekers Careers Guide
- Study Tips on How To Study Better
- Career Counselling by ADL Staff
- CV Writing Help, Tips and Advice
There are no hidden extras
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Student Reviews
“I have been loving the material and my tutor Iona Lister does a wonderful job, the feedback I’ve been getting has been very useful”. Certificate in Caring for the Elderly – Gabriela G, Mexico