TAFE aged care training brings life changing experiences
Friday, 1 February 2008
Wide Bay Institute of TAFE Aged Care student, Bev Evans says caring for the elderly is all about helping them maintain their dignity - a process that also teaches the carer to be humble.
Now half way through a Certificate III in Aged Care Work at TAFE's Gympie Campus, Ms Evans, 56 is one of many discovering this highly fulfilling job late in life.
"I had been drifting from one unskilled job to another but I realised there are many good options out there and I had to grab one," Ms Evans said.
"I guess I was looking for a purpose in life after several personal tragedies."
Bev initially enrolled in TAFE Studies as a disability worker then as a teacher's aide and now she is committed to aged care study and completing work experience at Gympie's Cooinda Aged Care Centre.
"Even if they (aged) have dementia, they need to have their dignity and just bringing a smile to their faces gives you such a sense of achievement," she said.
TAFE training in aged care prepares students for careers such as a personal carer in hostels, special needs units or nursing homes or as a community care worker or an assistant nurse.
Gympie Teacher, Heather Stewart says age is no barrier to these opportunities.
"With Australia's ageing population and the skilled labour shortage there's an increasing demand for aged care workers, not only in residential facilities but in community and day care as well," Ms Stewart said.
Certificate III and IV can be a stepping-stone to other TAFE studies in Home and Community Care or Community Studies for lifestyle and leisure workers and also lead to a nursing career with further study either at TAFE or a university.
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