Degree information sessions touring the mainlandDegree information sessions touring the mainland
With the first of the baby boomers reaching retirement age next year, Australia is set to experience an explosion in demand for residential aged care facilities.
In 2010, it was estimated there were approximately 180,000 people in residential care, of which 49 per cent had dementia. In addition there are approximately 52,000 people with dementia in receipt of formal care in the community. These figures are expected to escalate in the coming years with approximately one million suffering from dementia by 2050.
In recognition of the growing number of people who will be diagnosed with dementia, the University of Tasmania is providing a national online course for aged care workers.
The UTAS Associate Degree in Dementia Care (ADDC), the first of its kind in Australia, aims to increase understanding of the degenerative brain processes associated with dementia and to relate this to providing the very best approach to care – a relationship that is poorly recognised in the current workforce.
Course co-ordinator Dr Andrea Carr, (UTAS Wicking Dementia Education and Research Centre and School of Medicine), was in South Australia on Wednesday 15May to present an information session highlighting the benefits of studying this tertiary course, its suitability for carers living in rural areas, and the support students will receive whilst studying.
“The level of interest in the course is increasing, and this is perhaps due to a growing awareness of the need to invest in educating our carers.
“Our current government also has recognised the need to improve care to the elderly,” said Dr Carr.
“The design of the course acknowledges the lifestyles of many of our students who are juggling work which often involves shifts, family commitments as well as their desire to study.
“Our staff have a strong student focus and a desire to support their students through the successful completion of the course.”
About the UTAS Associate Degree in Dementia Care:
The ADDC provides significant opportunities to assist qualification upgrading for an existing workforce, as well as training of the future workforce. Designed to be accessible to rural students, this course offers a small amount of face to face contact. The majority of the course is delivered nationally online, so students are able to participate in the course regardless of how remote they may be. The course is very new and the most recent development has been adding Adelaide, Canberra and Newcastle as places of contact.
Information session details:
Fullarton, SA
Date: 15 May 2013
Time: 10am-1.30pm
Location:Aged and Community Services SA and NT, 246 Glen Osmond Road, Fullarton SA 5063. 08 8338 7111, email: training@agedcommunity.asn.au
Contact: A.R.Carr@utas.edu.au
For Rhodes, NSW
Date: 27 May 2013
Time: 1-4pm
Location:Aged and Community Services NSW and ACT, 9 Blaxland Road, Rhodes NSW 2138
Contact: A.R.Carr@utas.edu.au
For Bruce, ACT
Date: 28May, 2013
Time: 6-8pm
Location: Calvary Retirement Community,2 Jaeger Circuit, Bruce ACT 2617
Contact: A.R.Carr@utas.edu.au
Waratah, NSW
Date: 29 May 2013
Time: 1-4pm
Location: Maroba Community Residential Aged Care, 58 Edith Street, Waratah NSW 2298, 02 4935 0300
Contact: A.R.Carr@utas.edu.au