A GROUP of local direct care attendant students have rejoiced at being able to begin face-to-face learning, after the coronavirus forced all forms of education online.
Training for students undergoing a Certificate III in individual support (aging, home and community) would usually be divided between the board rooms and aged care unit at the Loxton Hospital Complex, but due to the complications posed by COVID-19, had to be moved online.
However, with restrictions eased in South Australia, the students were finally able to begin in-person, practical training at the Living Waters Christian Community church recently.
Loxton Health Advisory Council (LHAC) presiding member Sally Goode said it had been a challenge to run the course this year, but thanks to the co-operation of EQUALS International course lecturer Ruth Firstbrook and the students it had been made possible.
“I think we’ve managed very well, and we’re very lucky that we’ve got this facility here now – the church – to be able to bring the students together much earlier,” she said.
“We couldn’t possibly bring them into the hospital and abide with the restrictions, so this is a wonderful opportunity for them to get together and actually learn to be students together.”
Each student has received community-funded scholarships from the LHAC to meet the current and future demands for a well-trained local workforce that can care for older residents both in the community and in residential care.
The 30-week course specifically teaches students, who come from all across the Riverland and Mallee, the importance of the new aged care standards, and provides them with the resources and tools to assist vulnerable elderly residents with their personal care and help support those more capable with their independence at home.
Mallee student Bridget Steer said despite the challenges of COVID-19 and technology, the group had been able to still learn online just the same as they would in person.
She said it was a bit unusual to start with, but with everyone on the same page, it was easy to work through the content and get to know one another.
“We all learnt together how to work through the Moodle, (and) Ruth Firstbrook being our lecturer made it really easy,” Ms Steer said.
“During the time that we were doing our Zoom lessons, for some of the lectures we got separated into small groups to do discussions and then meet back, so we felt we’d gotten to know each other a bit better then.
“The lecturer and all students have been great – they’re just a really great bunch.”
Ms Steer said she, like many others, was looking forward to the face-to-face learning, and to putting everything they learnt on paper into practical.
“(We’re) looking forward to putting into practice everything we’ve learnt from all the assignments and the different units we studied, whether it was the work, health and safety, palliative care, chronic care, or learning and communication,” she said.
“It will all tie in then and make a lot of sense.”
The students still need to complete the required 160 hours of clinical placement to finish the course, but Ms Goode said with practical training now resuming, that would be accomplished before Christmas.