Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Embedded Files
Who are aged care workers?
Who are aged care workers?
We use the term aged care workers to refer to any worker who perform their job in an aged care facility or in a community environment. Aged care workers provide care services directly or indirectly to meet the needs of the elderly. They can be personal care workers, nurses, or other support workers.
What is the challenge we are trying to address?
What is the challenge we are trying to address?
According to the report from the Royal Commission into Aged Care, the sector has been in a crisis. One major challenge is the unsustainable workforce characterised by high turnover, low career commitment, and difficulty in attracting new workers into the workforce. For example, the 2022 Aged Care Workforce Report, 50%-67% of aged care workers intend to quit within the next three to five years. Contributing factors to these challenges include society’s negative views of the aged care sector, high stress, and lack of support.
Why is the Support Network needed?
Why is the Support Network needed?
This Support Network is needed because aged care workers are the overlooked group by our society. Aged care workers face many critical challenges such as high levels of stress and lack of training; however, they have little support from their employers or government agencies to help them address these challenges. This Support Network is designed to provide necessary support to help aged care workers deal with these challenges. In addition, the Support Hub also seeks to campaign for resetting the society’s negative views of aged care sector so that more people, especially young people, can see aged care as an attractive job option.
What exactly does the Support Network do?
What exactly does the Support Network do?
Within the Support Network, we focus on four initiatives: (a) resources and knowledge: we provide comprehensive resources to help aged care workers better understand their sector, occupation, and job; (b) skills development workshops: we organise workshops to help aged care workers with managing stress and mental health, technological literacy, and language/intercultural communication; (c) networking and mentoring: We provide networking opportunities and establish a mentoring program where we match relatively new aged care workers with those more experienced ones to facilitate learning and career development; (d) advocate and campaign: we develop campaign materials to change the society’s negative views associated with the aged care sector and promote the importance and meaningfulness of the occupation. We will also reach out to young people (e.g., high school graduates) and other job seekers (through community centres, Centrelink, and refugee centres) to promote aged care as a meaningful job option to contribute to the society.
How will the Support Network contribute to the society?
How will the Support Network contribute to the society?
The high turnover and difficulty to attract new people into the aged care sector has serious impact on the inclusive, sustainable economy & jobs. This Support network can serve as a platform to (a) provide support for existing aged care workers so they feel empowered and supported and hence reduce intention to leave the sector, and (b) reset negative views of aged care and attract more people to join the workforce. By reducing the turnover and attracting more people into the sector, the significant gaps in the demand for aged care workers will be reduced and the workforce will become more sustainable.
How can you help us and the aged care workers?
How can you help us and the aged care workers?
If you are an aged care worker, please feel free to reach out to us and join our Support Network via acwsupnet@gmail.com. If you are someone who would like to support aged care workers, please also get in touch to discuss how you can support this group. We particularly welcome organisations who wish to support our aged care workers through our Support Network by contributing financial and other resources.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse