Education and training in aged care

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Education and training to address key issues tabled by the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety

As more Australians are living longer, an increasing number of general practice encounters are for people aged 65 or older (more than one in three). People are staying in their homes for much longer, and entering residential aged care with much more complex medical needs than ever before. The ageing trend will continue – by 2058, the number of Australians aged 85 years and over will have increased from 515,700 (2% of the population) to 1,500,000 (3.7%).

The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety lists education and training as a key strategy to overcome a number of deficiencies in our aged care system. Larter are dedicated to improving the care of older Australians through education and training in both the general practice and aged care sectors; and in both community and residential settings.

Neglect

Some time has passed since the Royal Commission heard harrowing accounts of the neglect of aged care residents. Older Australians and their families consistently described experiences of poor communication, lack of care coordination and skill deficiencies within a stretched workforce. These problems have led to sub-standard care outcomes and occasionally, premature death. The Commission’s findings have highlighted that targeted education and training is key to addressing some of these distressing issues. With our experience writing and delivering education and training, and our commitment to strengthen primary health care, Larter is building on our past approaches to make a difference in this space. An example of past work is a 2019 collaboration with a PHN to deliver a webinar for facility staff on improving resident transfers from facilities to hospitals including information sharing and documentation.

Addressing complex needs: educate, educate, educate

The Royal Commission’s recommendations having a partial focus on more education and training is perhaps unsurprising given the need for a high degree of skill, training and experience to care for the complex needs of some of our most vulnerable people.

Of particular note, the Commission recommended more training on cultural safety and trauma-informed service delivery[1], along with regular training in dementia care and palliative care[2].

Larter: helping general practice and aged care staff achieve best practice

Larter is particularly keen to work with PHNs, aged care providers and local health districts to create and deliver training in line with the Commission’s recommendations, on:

  • dementia care
  • palliative care
  • trauma-informed service delivery
  • culturally specific support.

General practitioners and allied health practitioners are critical providers of health care for older Australians both in community and residential settings. The RACGP’s Aged Care Clinical Guide recommends that GPs lead a multidisciplinary approach for older Australians in a way that focuses on the patient’s individual needs[3].  Larter has  experience here, having delivered MBS chronic care training for GPs and allied health that work in aged care facilities. 

PHNs and local health districts are taking an increasing interest in aged care

Do you see opportunities to:

  • Increase the confidence and skills of GPs, allied health and primary health nurses to identify and respond to older patients requiring care?
  • Enhance outcomes for older patients through clinician networking during collaborative education, and health pathways for older persons care?
  • Upskill administrative staff working with older people including those with early onset dementia, hearing difficulties and during end-of-life (including working with their carers)?
  • Provide information and support to carers and other family members caring for older people experiencing dementia, requiring palliative care, affected by trauma, or needing culturally appropriate support, including by connecting with carer gateways?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, please contact Larter to discuss specially tailored education, training and networking.

Our clients

We’re respected providers in health education and consulting. Our clients include Primary Health Networks, general practices and community health services, governments, community sector organisations, and peak bodies.

Here’s what one of our PHN clients says

Larter delivered two webinars for Wentworth Healthcare (provider of the Nepean Blue Mountains PHN), which focused upon the contribution of general practice in facilitating improved access to allied health services for residents in aged care. This included MBS items for multidisciplinary care planning and health assessments.

“We engaged Larter to deliver a series of webinars to Allied Health and General Practitioners within our region. We found Peter and Wendy very professional and personable. Larter offered flexibility in a time of uncertainty, with COVID restrictions resulting in a change to the delivery method of our sessions at the last minute. Wendy was collaborative every step of the way, ensuring her content was appropriately tailored and relevant to our audience, and updated to reflect the changing landscape of MBS on more than one occasion. She further supported our event by facilitating our expert panel for a Q&A session, the end result being a robust discussion for the audience. Wendy’s delivery style is friendly, engaging and confident – it is clear she is an expert in her field.

It has been a great experience working with Larter.”

Melissa Greaney, Program Development Officer – Training and Development at Nepean Blue Mountains PHN (2021)

Flexible, tailored training for you

Our high performing team works with you to:

  • Customise content according to your needs
  • Deliver flexible delivery options to suit your organisation — whether it’s face-to-face, online, short sessions or full/half day workshops
  • Competitive pricing

Talk to us and discover how we can meet your needs

PHN or general practice: please let us know which topics your GPs and practice staff are interested in for this vital training, and your preferred delivery option.

Aged care sector: please contact us if you’re interested in upskilling your workforce.

Work with us: If you’re interested in designing and delivering aged care educational content, we’d love to chat.

Contact us

Call us on 1800 527 837 to discuss your aged care training needs today.

[1] Recommendation 30: Designing for diversity, difference, complexity, and individuality                               

[2] Recommendation 80: Dementia and palliative care training for workers                                                       

[3] RACGP Aged Care Clinical Guide (Silver Book)