[kit4keeps]

Hi, I have just enrolled in a course to become a personal care attendant in aged care. I know they are screaming for PCA's in this town and I will probably find work easily enough.
I was hoping that anyone here who is currently or has worked in this area could give me their take on this work? Pro's and con's, I want to hear about it.

Thanks
Kit

[MonsMum]

Hi there!

I worked as a PCA for a few years, its good if you can find work at a lowcare place to start off with as high care can be very demanding (in my experience)

If you work morning shift (7am - 1 or 3pm)it usually involves - getting residents up and assisting with breakfast, showering (this can take a while!), toileting, dressing - its so busy the time will fly!!

Afternoon shift is usually 3-10pm and its mainly assisting with the above (not showering) with dinner and then getting residents into bed etc.

Hope you find a good place to work for (ive found the bigger places are better) you will no doubt get attached to some of the residents & other ones will drive you crazy!!

Good luck with the rest of your course

[kit4keeps]

Hi, thanks for your reply I will see if I can start off in the lowcare section and see how I go. I have to pass this course first though lol
I am a little weak when it comes to showering and toileting other people. This worries me,but I am hoping I become stronger in relation to this and that it won't worry me for too long.
Thanks again
Kit

[~Jane~]

Hi There,

I currently work as a PCA but I do home care not work in a nursing except for my work experience. I love being out in the community and I also love the fact that I'm helping elderly people stay in thier own homes longer and have some independence. I'm also doing my Cert 3 in Aged Care and when I'm finished I'll be an AIN ( assistant in nursing)which is the next level up from a pc. I work every second or third weekend in a high care nursing facility as part of the course and really enjoy it. As for showering and the likes, there's nothing to it really. Just remember it's all part of the job and never forget these people are relying on you to take care of them. It can be physically and emotionally draining at time but rewarding at the same time. Good luck with your studies and feel free to pm me if you want to have a chat!

Jane

[Harellie]

I am a PC in a nursing home. I work in a small country town (where I live).

I finished my course about three yrs ago and found it fairly easy. Saying that though I was already employed in the home.

I do a short afternoon shift that starts at 3.30pm to 9.30pm.

My shift is getting the ressies ready for dinner, showering, then into their night clothes and into bed.

This is down the low care end. Up in high care we do pad changes, feeds and turns.

I was the same as you about the showering and toileting, but I am fine now, you do get used to it.

I am going on to do my DIV 2 through my work, so looking forward to that.

[kit4keeps]

Thanks guy's! Your input has made me feel much better about it all. It is good to know that you do get use to the showering etc.
I am doing 3 sections of cert 3 (over 4 wks) & 2 wks work experience in a nursing home. This is a new government run program for Mothers with children under 15yrs. In this area they almost guarantee work after the course is finished.
I will then do the remainder of cert 3 while employed hopefully

Thanks again..I do feel heaps better about it all now

[Erricson]

think it,s really late to post a reply in this topic. But still willing to write in something about. As in these days there are some very well organized old age home providers are working in Australia, who are providing their homes at some very reasonable prices for elders. With almost all necessary and five star facilities for a comfortable living. Along with 24/7 nursing facility.