Blog

It is evident that more Allied Health Professionals are needed to work in Aged Care to provide high quality care to Australia’s ageing population. From 1999 to 2019, the number of Australians aged 65+ has increased from 12.3% to 15.9% and is forecasted to increase over the next decade. Additionally, in 2019, there were 299,000 people using Residential Aged Care, Home Care or Transition Care Services in Australia.

We are already seeing a significant rise in the number of opportunities for Allied Health Professionals to work within the Aged Care space and anticipate this continued growth well into the future. This means more choice of employment opportunities and much stronger job security for the long term.

To help you decide whether Aged Care is the right move for you, have a read of our list of the top benefits you can expect when working in Aged Care.

1. MAKE A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE IN THE AGEING POPULATION

Working within the Aged Care space, you will be making a positive difference in one of Australia’s most vulnerable groups.  As an Allied Health Professional, you will be doing more than just managing a Geriatric caseload, you will also be building long term relationships with the Residents as well as their families. You will be part of the journey in achieving a higher quality of life for the Residents, delaying the effects of ageing, and even assisting some Residents to regain their level of independence.

To put things into perspective on how you can make a difference in the Aged Care Residents lives, let’s have a look at a common occurrence with the elderly. Falls often happen to the elderly because of changes that take place when ageing. In 2020, it was found that 1 in 3 older Australians experienced a fall in a period of 12 months, with 1 in 5 requiring hospitalisation as the result of the fall. Some injuries that can be sustained in a fall can include hip fractures and broken bones, as well as a loss in confidence for the person in standing up and walking.

With your role as a Physiotherapist or Occupational Therapist, you can prevent these serious injuries from happening or help a Resident recover. This can be done by implementing falls prevention initiatives, strength and balance exercises, and mobility exercises to name a few. By providing these services, you will be making a real positive difference in their lives, thus giving you a strong sense of satisfaction from your work.

2. SECURE WORK AND OPPORTUNITY TO TRAVEL

There is a growing demand for candidates in the Aged Care space which has been openly emphasised by the Australian Government. They have suggested that the market is projected to experience “very strong future growth”, allowing employees ample opportunity to gain secure, ongoing work in Aged Care. By working long term within this industry, there are multiple career progression pathways that you will be able to choose from. Some examples of roles that you can progress into include Senior Level Practitioner, Clinical Manager, and Regional Manager.

Due to the growth of the Aged Care market Australia wide, this has naturally created numerous opportunities for Allied Health Professionals to travel and work interstate – whether permanently or on a short-term contract.  This can therefore significantly support your transition if looking to relocate to a new state in future, or alternatively can give you the exciting opportunity to explore the country whilst completing locums across multiple facilities in Regional or Metro locations.

3. WORKING WITH A COLLABORATIVE MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM

More often than not, when you are working in a Residential Aged Care Facility, you will find that the team you work alongside come from various different Healthcare Professions.  Some of these professions include Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Osteopaths, Speech Pathologists, Podiatrists, Nurses, Dieticians, and many more. As a Practitioner working within this environment, you will be exposed to so many different thought processes, levels of expertise, and clinical reasoning, ultimately increasing your experience, knowledge, skillset, and overall professional versatility. This opportunity will build you into an extremely valuable employee to your employer and will also significantly increase your attractiveness to potential employers if you do decide to explore the job market.

Working within an Aged Care Team, you will be surrounded by passionate and driven Practitioners who are focused on achieving optimal results for their Residents. They chose to work in Aged Care because they know the need for quality care for the elderly and thrive off the rewarding feeling of making a positive difference. By linking your arms each day with likeminded individuals and collaborating with the Aged Care Residents best interest in mind, you will be impacting the lives of the elderly in a positive way.

If you are interested in exploring new work opportunities in the Aged Care space, please feel free to reach out to me on (02) 9231 4999 or landres@ivorygroup.com.au.