The future of aged care
As care needs become more complex as the population ages, a skilled workforce is important in changing the “face of care”, Minister for Mental Health and Ageing, Mark Butler, said. To meet this changing demand, state-of-the-art ‘teaching aged care facilities’ are being established across Australia, with the University of Tasmania leading the way.
As care needs become more complex as the population ages, a skilled workforce is important in changing the “face of care”, Minister for Mental Health and Ageing, Mark Butler, said.
To meet this changing demand, state-of-the-art ‘teaching aged care facilities’ are being established across Australia, with the University of Tasmania leading the way as it teams up with facilities in Launceston and Hobart to operate teaching aged care homes.
Speaking at the launch last week, Mr Butler said the initiative would see the quality aged care clinical placements for nursing, medical and paramedical students. It will also reportedly build capability within aged care facilities to drive practice-based research and excellence in care provision.
The project, which received $1.2 million funding from the federal government, would bring together university facilitators and coordinators to work with aged care facility staff.
“They will get special training in mentoring – so they can provide students with high quality clinical training in the aged care environment,” Mr Butler said.
He said it was “critical” to support the development of a “highly educated and skilled workforce”, and create “attractive” career paths in aged care.
“Care needs are becoming more complex as people live longer and require care associated with dementia, diabetes and other chronic diseases,” Mr Butler added.
Local Member for Bass, Geoff Lyons, was also at last week’s launch, and agreed “mentor-based clinical placements would integrate theory and practice”.
“[It will] ensure the future aged care, health and medical workforce is equipped with the skills and knowledge to meet the care needs of Tasmania’s growing ageing population,” Mr Lyons said.
