In this episode of the So You Work in Aged Care podcast, we delve into how embracing change can help you thrive in the ever-evolving landscape of aged care. We'll explore technological advancements, innovative care practices, resilience-building strategies, continuous learning and the importance of a supportive work environment. Listen today to learn: How embracing technological advancements can enhance care and improve efficiency in aged care settings. Which new care approaches and practices ar...
Dec 11, 2024•20 min
In this episode of the So You Work in Aged Care podcast, we discuss the transformative power of empathy in caregiving. Discover how empathy can build stronger connections, improve communication and provide crucial emotional support for both caregivers and residents. I will explore the double-edged nature of empathy – its ability to foster compassionate care and the risk of burnout if not managed properly. Empathy can blur professional boundaries, causing caregiver overextension. Establishing cle...
Dec 09, 2024•22 min
In this episode of the So You Work in Aged Care podcast, we’re diving into the world of feedback, especially the tricky territory of negative feedback. It can be tough to hear, but it's a goldmine for personal and professional growth. I’m going to share some practical tips on how to handle feedback without letting it get you down. We’ll explore how to take a deep breath, really listen and see the constructive parts of the criticism. It’s all about turning a challenging moment into an opportunity...
Dec 04, 2024•22 min
Whether you work in residential or community settings, boosting your own wellbeing on the job is essential. If we rely on others for our wellbeing, we end up with mixed messages. It's vital to listen to our self-talk and reflect on whether it's sending positive or negative energy. What messages are you feeding yourself? Is it ‘I am capable and can handle this’ or ‘I am not good enough and will always fail’? I've had to change my own mantras as my roles evolved, especially when I became a mother....
Dec 03, 2024•26 min
OVERVIEW In this episode of the So You Work in Aged Care podcast we’re discussing how we can achieve better client connection, with a focus on how to build trust, effective communication, setting boundaries and feedback mechanisms. Client connection is something many of us naturally strive to achieve, however, there are times when it can go wrong. For example, sometimes the client is not happy, or sometimes we might not be happy. Sometimes we might feel like we are struggling to form a connectio...
Nov 25, 2024•23 min
OVERVIEW In this episode of the So You Work in Aged Care podcast we’re talking about the importance of embracing unproductivity. With so much focus these days on getting more done, not just at work but in our personal lives too, it can feel like we don’t have time to stop. But being ‘on’ all the time is not sustainable. Sometimes we just need to slow down and take some time to smell the roses. Being unproductive offers many benefits – to our mental and physical health, our creativity and growth,...
Nov 18, 2024•22 min
OVERVIEW In this episode of the So You Work in Aged Care podcast , we’re looking at how you can identify what matters most, and why this can be particularly helpful when you are feeling isolated, tired, stressed or overwhelmed. When I ask people what matters most, they will usually respond quickly with something like family, faith, health or similar. And while this may be an honest response, it’s important to go a little deeper and reflect on what it is specifically about our family, faith or he...
Nov 13, 2024•20 min
OVERVIEW In this episode of the So You Work in Aged Care podcast , the focus is on Women’s Health Week as part of our six-part series on community care. This topic is particularly of interest to those working in aged care as the latest research shows that the aged care workforce is made up of approximately 87% women. According to the UN, women do 2.6 times as much unpaid care and domestic work as men. This includes things like childcare, cooking, cleaning, picking up kids from school, taking eld...
Nov 11, 2024•30 min
OVERVIEW In this episode of the So You Work in Aged Care podcast , the second in our community care series, we look at the topic of mentoring and supervision – what it is, the benefits it offers, where we can find this kind of support and how to maintain it. Mentoring and supervision can support you in your role, both emotionally and in terms of your knowledge and skill set. The guidance might not necessarily come from senior staff or team leaders within your organisation – it can come from a ra...
Nov 04, 2024•21 min
Podcast Show Notes – S2 Aged Care Ep 7 PODCAST DETAILS TBC 2024 So You Work in Aged Care Connecting with others OVERVIEW In this episode of the So You Work in Aged Care podcast we discuss isolation and loneliness for aged care workers, and share some strategies and ideas on ways you can connect with similar-minded people in the community sector through shared interests. A topic that often comes up when I speak to workers from within the aged care industry is a sense of isolation and loneliness a...
Oct 31, 2024•21 min
OVERVIEW In episode 6 of our 6-part series for the So You Work in Aged Care podcast , we discuss the importance of self-care for those working in aged care, and share strategies and tips to help you incorporate wellbeing practices and routines into your day. There are a range of reasons why we may struggle to practise self-care regularly. For some, taking the time to stop and rest is challenging, especially when it feels like we have so much to do. For the empaths among us, we can give so much i...
Oct 15, 2024•26 min
Podcast Show Notes – S2 Aged Care Ep 4 PODCAST DETAILS 24 September 2024 So You Work in Aged Care Workplace violence and aggression - Episode 4 of 6 OVERVIEW In episode 4 of our 6-part series for the So You Work in Aged Care podcast , we continue to explore the key issues and trends that are impacting the aged care workforce in Australia today. Unfortunately, workplace violence and aggression is something that many who work in our sector are exposed to. It is not always physical, it can be expre...
Oct 02, 2024•25 min
PODCAST DETAILS 1 October 2024 So You Work in Aged Care Communication - Episode 5 of 6 OVERVIEW In episode 5 of our 6-part series for the So You Work in Aged Care podcast , we discuss an important issue within the aged care industry in Australia –communication – and share strategies and tips to help workers improve outcomes and enhance their wellbeing. When I talk to those working within the aged care sector about their challenges, a topic that is almost always raised is communication. If we con...
Sep 30, 2024•27 min
Podcast Show Notes – S2 Aged Care Ep 3 PODCAST DETAILS ● 17 September 2024 ● So You Work in Aged Care ● Covid Pandemic: Have We Recovered?- Episode 3 of 6 OVERVIEW In episode 3 of the 6-part series for the So You Work in Aged Care podcast, we continue to explore the burning issues, news and trends affecting the aged care workforce in Australia today. There’s no doubt the Covid pandemic impacted the aged care workforce in a myriad of ways. While the extent of restrictions and lockdowns have somew...
Sep 17, 2024•21 min
Podcast Show Notes – S2 Aged Care Ep 2 PODCAST DETAILS 10 September 2024 So You Work in Aged Care News and Trends in Aged Care- Episode 2 of 6 OVERVIEW In episode 2 of her 6-part series for the So You Work in Aged Care podcast , Dr Julie continues to explore the news and trends affecting the aged care workforce in Australia. One of the key topics discussed is something that affects far too many in the aged care industry – being overworked and overwhelmed. Dr Julie unpacks some of the key conside...
Sep 09, 2024•26 min
Podcast Show Notes – S2 Aged Care Ep 1 PODCAST DETAILS 5 September 2024 So You Work in Aged Care News and Trends in Aged Care OVERVIEW In this episode, Dr Julie introduces her new podcast , So You Work in Aged Care, explaining the reasons for a shift in focus from the wellbeing of elders to the wellbeing of the aged care workforce, along with some insights on what to expect in future episodes. She also touches on her passion for supporting wellbeing in the workplace, and her intention to address...
Sep 05, 2024•29 min
Show notes: Special edition CASE STUDIES Psychological input with treatment team in residential care In this series of podcasts, we are exploring varies topics through case studies – and today we are looking at psychological inputs within the treatment team in aged care. In this episode you will learn: Addressing myths associated with receiving psychological support When someone may require psychological support Case conferencing and collaboration The difference between having an in-house psycho...
Jul 30, 2024•20 min
Show notes: Special edition CASE STUDIES Intimacy and dementia In this series of podcasts, we are exploring varies topics through case studies – and today we are looking at intimacy and dementia. In this episode you will learn: Rights of elders when it comes to their intimacy needs The impact of dementia on intimacy Safety awareness and the barriers to intimacy in late life. In this episode we’ll look at a case study of a couple and their need for intimacy in a residential care setting, with one...
Jul 26, 2024•24 min
Show notes: Special edition CASE STUDIES Supporting families of home care recipients In this series of podcasts, we are exploring varies topics through case studies – and today we are looking at supporting families of home care recipients. In this episode you will learn: The advantages of working closely with families of home care recipients Difficulties in detecting memory changes in the home environment Ongoing care needs and management of a declining elder Additional support needs for familie...
Jul 17, 2024•21 min
Show notes: Special edition CASE STUDIES Routine management and activities of daily living for care recipients In this series of podcasts we are exploring varies topics through case studies – and in this episode we look at routine management and activities of daily life for care recipients. We will cover: Common time pressures when supporting the elderly Managing the pressures in meeting standards of care The importance of setting up an elder for a successful day The case study we will share is ...
Jul 15, 2024•21 min
Show notes: Special edition CASE STUDIES Episode #2 – Series #2 Helpful sentence structure in dementia In this series of podcasts we are exploring case studies – and in this episode we will look at dementia and sentence structure to improve engagement. We will cover: How to activate our five senses Identifying fear and providing reassurance to those impacted by dementia Differentiating between simple versus complex sentences. The case study we will focus on here involves a lady who we will call ...
Jul 10, 2024•25 min
Show notes: Special edition CASE STUDIES Supporting families in residential care The focus this special six-episode series of the Voice of Aged Care podcast is case studies – real-life stories focused on the topics that impact those of us working within the aged care sector. These topics have all been requested by listeners, and the first that we will discuss is supporting families whose loved ones are living in residential aged care. In this episode we will cover: The importance of respecting f...
Jul 08, 2024•29 min
Show notes: Episode #52 – Special edition Coping strategies In our 6-part special edition series of the Voice of Aged Care podcast, we are looking at factors associated with wellbeing for those within the aged care workforce – and in this, the sixth and final episode in the series, we discuss helpful versus unhelpful coping strategies for aged care workers. In this episode, you will learn some new helpful coping strategies, discuss how to keep unhelpful strategies at bay, and also uncover how to...
Mar 25, 2024•23 min
Show notes: Episode #5 – Special edition Emotions In the fifth episode of our 6-part special edition series of the Voice of Aged Care podcast, we look at emotions – our own emotions and those of others around us. It’s such an important topic, understanding what is going and how we can respond to emotional changes. At times it can feel scary or outside of our experience, so this episode will focus on psychological presence at work and what that means, individual strategies for wellbeing, identify...
Mar 10, 2024•21 min
Show notes: Episode #4 – Special edition Productivity In the fourth episode of our 6-part special edition series of the Voice of Aged Care podcast, we look at productivity in aged care – the core elements of productivity, the barriers to productivity, individual strategies for boosting productivity, and some strategies you might use for your team. So what is productivity? And when is it difficult to be productive? Maybe you are procrastinating and putting off something that needs to be done. Thi...
Feb 29, 2024•21 min
Show notes: Episode #3 – Special edition Burnout and Working in Aged Care In the third episode of our 6-part special edition series of the Voice of Aged Care podcast, we will discuss the impact of burnout on you and the workplace, looking at the differences between stress and burnout, what happens to our brains when we are under stress, how to notice the common thinking traps, as well as some strategies for seeking support for burnout. When it comes to our mental health, it can be tricky to know...
Feb 20, 2024•29 min
Show notes: Episode #2 – Special edition Building Blocks of Resilience in Aged Care In this, the second episode of our 6-part special edition series of the Voice of Aged Care podcast, we will look at how we define resilience, the building blocks of resilience, self-awareness and action, and identifying what matters the most. In previous episodes we have discussed wellbeing in late life and how you can best support your clients in detail – so I wanted to shift the focus onto the factors that infl...
Feb 15, 2024•23 min
Dealing With Change – Coping Strategies for Aged Care Workers In this, the first episode of our 6-part special edition series of the Voice of Aged Care podcast, we discuss change and share coping strategies for aged care workers to best deal with change in the workplace. Over the past few years we have all felt the impacts of change, from global events like COVID and world conflicts, to the far-reaching impacts of the cost of living. Change and uncertainty is affecting many people, and is an ine...
Feb 06, 2024•21 min
Show notes: Episode #46 Getting Into the Industry If you are considering getting into the aged care industry, it can be hard to know where to start. So in this episode I share 5 essential considerations that will set you up for a rewarding career in aged care. With the aging population here in Australia and across the world, a career in aged care offers many diverse opportunities. So, the first consideration is to think about which aspect of aged care attracts you and where you think your skills...
Sep 29, 2023•21 min
Diversional therapist Lauretta Kaldor is true pioneer in her field, and has a wealth of wisdom and knowledge to share. Starting out as a school teacher in the 1950s at the age of 19, her journey towards diversional therapy began later in life when she was teaching arts and crafts to older people. When asked to run her classes in a residential care facility, Lauretta discovered a true passion for working with elders and has never looked back. She realised early that it was very important to adapt...
Sep 14, 2023•37 min
