Course Overview
Depending on our health, the country we live in and our access to services, people are increasingly tending to live longer. However, along with ageing comes particular challenges that require qualified and compassionate experts to assist – and the profession needs more! This course is ideal for those currently working in counselling, aged care, psychology or in a carer or health professional role or for those hoping to enter the sector.
The Certificate of Aged Care Counselling is an online program that will help you to understand the physical and psychological challenges of people as they age, and determine solutions to assist, including offering support services.
In this professional development course, you will explore various theories on ageing and how lifestyle changes affect an elderly person’s coping abilities, and learn more about support services, enablement techniques and ethics and intervention.
You will also study the deterioration of health, debilitating and terminal illnesses, grief and loss counselling, and how to deal with the loss of a loved one.
On completion of this course, you will have expanded your knowledge and understanding of the ageing process, and be able to devise strategies to support and help the elderly with a variety of age-related changes.
Course Structure
Unit 1 - Understanding ageing
- Gerontology (What do we mean by ageing?)
- Population ageing
- The effects of the ageing population
- Theories of human development
- Erikson’s theory of development
- Theories of retirement
- Disengagement theory
- Activity theory
- Atchley’s model of retirement
- Retirement counselling
Unit 2 - Lifestyle changes
- Retirement
- Relationships with children
- Relationships with partners (husband/wife)
- Relationships with grandchildren
- Friendships
- Sexuality and older people
- Cognitive changes – intelligence
- Causes and risk factors of depression
- Determining type of depression
- Unipolar disorder
- Bipolar disorder
- Men and depression
- Depression and symptoms in older people
Unit 3 - Deterioration of health
- Ageing and physical changes
- Skin and hair and height
- Senses, reflexes, sex
- Chronic health problems
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Exercise, diet and nutrition
- Eating habits
- Pain relief and medication
- Personality and heart disease
- Stress
Unit 4 - Support services
- Preventative services
- Occupational therapists and physiotherapists
- Alternative treatments
- Complimentary practitioners
- Counselling professionals
- Group therapy
- Support services (Meals on wheels, funeral services)
Unit 5 - Enablement techniques
- Common health risks for elderly
- Risk of falling
- Vision and hearing
- Nutrition
- Sexuality
- Maintaining quality of life
- Types of rehabilitation
Unit 6 - Grief and loss counselling
- What is grief?
- Psychological aspects of long-term grief
- Family and work
- Financial and loneliness
- Morality after bereavement
- Grief counselling
- Counsellors response and intervention
- Practical intervention
- Depression
Unit 7 - Debilitating and terminal Illness
- Dementia
- Types of dementia (alzheimers, vascular dementia)
- Strategies for counselling the demented client
- Communication
- Daily activities
- Sleeping difficulties
- Hallucinations and delusions
- Wandering and depression,
- Terminal illness
- Guilt & anger
- Defence mechanisms
- Preparing for approaching death
- Practical preparations
- Emotional responses
- Responses of friends and family
Unit 8 - Losing a loved one
- Importance of loss
- Assessment
- Role of the deceased
- Death of a child
- Stigmatised death
- Co-morbidity
- Counselling strategies: bibliotherapy, use of rituals, bereavement support groups. Special
- Therapeutic situations: traumatic, sudden, and stigmatised loss, ongoing support, social stigmas of suicide
Unit 9 - Ethics and intervention
- Barriers to aged care
- Counselling
- Addressing the client’s needs
- Common legal and ethical issues in aged care
- Decision making capacity
- Competence and informed consent
- Confidentiality
- Euthanasia
Assessment
Assessment Information
When you study with Australian Online Courses, you will be assessed using a competency-based training method.
Competency-based training focuses on the achievement of skills and knowledge against set criteria to meet industry-standard and is not benchmarked against other students’ work.
In this course, the assessment will be comprised of written assignments and exercises, which may include short answer questions, reports, essays, research projects and reflective tasks.
If you do not achieve a competency result on your first attempt, you have two more attempts to pass your assessment. So, you have three attempts in total to obtain a competency result.
In this way, you can complete your course in your own time and at your own pace with the assistance of unlimited tutor support.
Course FAQs
Why Choose Australian Online Courses?
- Professional development that is widely recognised and respected;
- Improve your employment opportunities;
- Study online, anywhere via our elearning system;
- High-quality professional development programs written by industry experts;
- No entry requirements;
- All course materials provided online – no textbooks to buy;
- Unlimited tutor support;
- Easy to understand course content;
- We offer twelve (12) months’ access, with extensions available upon application (fees apply);
- Certificate of Attainment/Completion issued for your CV (hard copy provided); and
- Course may be tax deductible; see your tax advisor.
How long will it take to complete this course?
The approximate study hours for this course is 50 hours. We offer twelve (12) months’ access, with extensions available upon application (fees apply).
Can I purchase optional printed materials?
While printed materials are not available for purchase, PDF copies are available for download and self-printing for this program.
When can I start this course?
You can start within 60 minutes during business hours when you enrol and pay in full with a credit card!
Credit card: Within 60 mins during business hours.
BPAY: Within 1-2 working days.
Internet Banking: Within 1-2 working days.
Cheque/Money Order: Upon receipt of mailed cheque.
Will I receive a certificate upon completion of this course?
Yes! You will receive a Certificate of Attainment upon successful completion of your assessment.
Do I need to attend classes or undertake any work placements?
No. All courses are delivered online via our e-learning system and there are no work placement requirements in this course.
What support can I expect from Australian Online Courses?
Unlimited tutor support is available throughout your studies via email during business hours Monday to Friday. Our Administrative team are available Monday to Friday via email, live chat and telephone.
I am an international student. Can I enrol into this course?
Yes! We accept enrolments from individuals both within Australia and internationally; location is no barrier to entry into our programs.
Career Pathways
Future growth
Strong
Unemployment
Low
Professional Development for:
- Counsellors
- Aged Care Workers
- Life Style Support Workers
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