Elements and Performance Criteria

The Range Statement explains the scope and context of the unit of competency allowing for differences between workplaces. The scope of variables chosen for training and assessment requirements will depend on the particular work situation.

Older people may include:
Individuals living in residential aged care environments
Individuals living in the community

Contexts may include:
The older person's own dwelling
Independent living accommodation
Residential aged care facilities

Instrumental activities of living may include:
Home maintenance
Garden maintenance
Transport and attendance at appointments and social and recreational activities
Domestic cleaning
Domestic laundry
Meal preparation
Shopping
Attendance to financial matters and personal correspondence
Pet care

Reporting may be and include:
Verbal
Telephone
Face to face
Non-verbal (written)
Progress reports
Case notes
Incident reports

Aids and equipment may include;
Domestic appliances utilised for cleaning, laundering and meal preparation
Gardening equipment
Personal and security alarms
Mobility devices

Hazards may include;
Poor or inappropriate lighting
Slippery or uneven floor surfaces
Physical obstructions (eg furniture and equipment)
Poor home and domestic appliance maintenance
Inadequate heating and cooling devices
Inappropriate footwear and clothing

The Evidence Guide identifies the critical aspects of assessment, and the essential knowledge and skills to be demonstrated to confirm competency in this unit. The Evidence Guide is an integral part of the assessment of competency and it should be read carefully in conjunction with the Range Statement, Elements and Performance Criteria.
Critical aspects of assessment must include:
Understanding and adherence to own work role and responsibilities
Following organisational policies, protocols and procedures
Liasing and reporting appropriately to supervisor
Monitoring older people's ability to undertake instrumental activities of living and providing support/assistance in accordance with service delivery plans
Accommodating older people's established routines and customs and right to direct service delivery processes

Concurrent assessment and relationship with other units:
This unit can be assessed independently, however holistic assessment practice with other community services units of competency is encouraged

Essential knowledge must include:
Relevant policies, protocols and practices of the organisation in relation to Unit Descriptor and work role
Understanding of the importance of community engagement and the ability to undertake instrumental activities of living for older people
Principles and practices of confidentiality and privacy
Principles and practices associated with providing services in a client's own living environment
Strategies for supporting/assisting an older person to undertake instrumental activities of living independently
Services and aids available to support independence with instrumental activities of living
Referral mechanisms
Safety and security risks associated with ageing
Hazards in an older person's environment
Strategies for minimising hazards in older person's environments

Essential skills must include:
Reading and writing skills-literacy competence required to fulfil work role in a safe manner and as specified by the organisation/service. This requires a level of skill that enables the worker to follow work-related instructions and directions and the ability to seek clarification and comments from supervisors, clients and colleagues. Industry work roles will require workers to possess a literacy level that will enable them to interpret international safety signs, read client's service delivery plans, make notations in clients records and complete workplace forms and records.
Oral communication skills-language competence required to fulfil work role in a safe manner and as specified by the organisation. This requires a level of skill that enables the worker to follow work-related instructions and directions and the ability to seek clarification and comments from supervisors, clients and colleagues. Industry work roles will require workers to possess oral communication skills that will enable them to ask questions, clarify understanding, recognise and interpret non-verbal cues, provide information and express encouragement.
Numeracy skills required to fulfil work role in a safe manner and as specified by the organisation. Industry work roles will require workers to be able to perform basic mathematical functions, such as addition and subtraction up to three digit numbers and multiplication and division of single and double digit numbers.
Basic problem solving skills to resolve problems of limited difficulty within organisational protocols
Ability to work effectively with clients, colleagues and supervisors.

Resource implications:
Access to appropriate workplace where assessment can take place
Relevant organisational policy, protocols and procedures
Access to equipment and resources normally used in the workplace

Method of assessment:
Observation in the work place
Written assignments/projects
Case study and scenario analysis
Questioning
Role play simulation

Consistency in performance:
It is recommended that assessment or information for assessment will be conducted or gathered over a period of time and cover the normal range of workplace situations and settings

Context of assessment:
This unit will be most appropriately assessed in the workplace or in a simulated workplace and under the normal range of workplace conditions