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This course has been designed to provide you with an understanding of how pain affects older people, the different types of pain they may experience, and how pain is monitored and responded to.
Effective pain recognition and response can significantly improve an older person’s quality of life, comfort, dignity, independence, and overall wellbeing. However, recognising pain can be challenging, particularly when supporting people living with dementia, cognitive impairment, communication difficulties, or complex health conditions.
This course helps learners understand the physical, emotional, behavioural, and social impacts of pain and explores the vital role care workers play in identifying potential indicators of pain and escalating concerns appropriately. Learners also develop an understanding of person-centred approaches to pain management and the importance of ongoing monitoring and communication.
By strengthening the capability of frontline care workers, organisations can support better care outcomes, improve resident and client experiences, and contribute to safer, more responsive aged care services.
This course has been designed for personal care workers, support workers and other frontline aged care staff working in residential aged care, home care and community care settings across Australia. It is designed for workers who provide direct, day-to-day support to older people and may be the first to notice changes in behaviour, communication or comfort that could indicate pain. The course is particularly relevant for workers supporting people living with dementia, communication difficulties, chronic conditions or complex care needs, helping them recognise potential signs of pain and respond appropriately within their role and scope of practice.
Pain is one of the most common and significant health issues experienced by older people, yet it is often underrecognised and under-treated. Personal care workers and support workers are uniquely positioned to observe changes in behaviour, mobility, communication, and wellbeing that may indicate pain and play an important role in ensuring concerns are identified and reported appropriately.
This practical course provides learners with the knowledge and confidence to recognise signs of pain, understand how pain affects older people, and contribute to effective pain assessment, management, documentation, and monitoring as part of a multidisciplinary care team.
This course provides an understanding of:
