Leanne

There are many PCA's who are not able to do further training due to distance and cost, but are excellent in Lifestyle. I have also worked with "trained" Diversional Therapists and Lifestyle staff who are absolutely dreadful. Please do not discriminate the staff because the have not done any formal training. I was only able to do my Cert 4 because the facility paid for it and it was partially on-line and partially face - to - face. If this had not been offered to me I could not have been able to do it as I work in regional Victoria (Aust). I was also working in Lifestyle before I did my Certificate and I was pretty damn good at it!!!!!

If you are not working in the industry already, perhaps contact some of your local facilities to see if they would be prepared to assist you.

Good luck

Lyn,

Glad you had such fun after such a short planning time. Our residents were not very receptive to Elvis' birthday. I did play the music, but they were not interested in the Quiz.

Thanks for your support Kareen. We are only a small facility just the 2 of us in Lifestyle. I have spoken to our Hostel Co-Ordinator and the Senior Nurse, and have received positives from both of them. The Hostel Co-Ord is looking into it and will be speaking to my co-ordinator. If the situation does not change in the very near future I will be taking it further. I am aware that some of the behaviour is bullying and I am keeping notes on this.

I have been working in a Lifestyle Assistant capacity for over 3 years. My new co-ordinator makes all the decisions and does not include me. Any ideas about how to approach so I can put in practice all the training I have done. I am a cert 4 in Leisure & Health. I am getting to the point I feel like an untrained volunteer!!!!

I did mine through LASA in Victori. I found it very good.

Natalie, I did mine over 12 months. We had 2-3 online sessions a month and 3 sessions in Mentone Vic. I think they may do other states as well. I already had a position in Aged Care so I did not need to do placement, I just had to have a workplace mentor. Good luck with your search.

I did mine through Leading Aged Services in Victoria online. We had excellent tutors and backup. I believe they will be conducting online and face to face training next year.

Cant wait to try the wreaths with my residents.