Unit of competency Outline
Information current as of
20/10/2026 3:37 PM AWST
20/10/2026 3:37 PM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Deliver basic nursing care to older clients
Deliver basic nursing care to older clients
Unit of competency
National Code
HLTEN414B
HLTEN414B
State Code
D8205
D8205
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
03/08/2011
Original Release Date
25/03/2011
Nominal Hours
60
Field of Education
060311 - Aged Care Nursing
Description
DescriptorThis competency unit describes the skills and knowledge required for the Enrolled/Division 2 Nurse to perform basic nursing interventions to support the health care needs of the older person in any environment
General notes
N/A
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Respond to the special health requirements of the older adult
- 1.1 Work within the scope of practice for the Enrolled/Division 2 nurse with the aged care client within any health care setting
- 1.2 Work with an understanding of physical changes that take place as part of the ageing process, associated age-related adjustments and transitions and psychosocial needs of the older person
- 1.3 Allow for the fact that drugs and medicines have different effects in the older person
- 1.4 Reflect an understanding of common medical conditions and how they may affect older persons and their family
- 1.5 Communicate effectively with older person experiencing sensory loss
- 1.6 Perform preventive health checks in consultation/collaboration with a registered nurse
- 1.7 Assist the older person to maintain health lifestyle practices
- 1.8 Work with an awareness of own values, attitudes and beliefs towards ageing and the aged person
- 1.9 Work with an awareness of common stereotypes associated with ageing and the influences they can have on the care of the older adult
- 1.10 In caring for the older person, use work practices that reflect an understanding of theories of ageing
- 1.11 Promote health maintenance for older person and their family
- 1.12 Take action to manage factors which may tend to segregate and disadvantage the older adult
2. Contribute to care plan development for the older person
- 2.1 Assess the older client to determine their health status in consultation/collaboration with registered nurse
- 2.2 Complete appropriate health assessment tools used specifically in the aged care environment
- 2.3 Assist the older client to identify self-care abilities and disabilities
- 2.4 Implement the nursing care plan within the context of the health care setting using organisation policies and procedures
- 2.5 Ensure client, family and/or significant other understand the implications of their admission to the health care setting
- 2.6 Discuss with older client or their family representative psychological, social and/or physical needs
- 2.7 Share information regarding older person's health status with other members of health care team
- 2.8 Implement care as per nursing care plan and monitor work allocated to others
- 2.9 Provide support, comfort for grieving family/client
- 2.10 Take into account the impact of complex issues involved in aged care on carer(s)
3. Assist to evaluate outcomes of planned nursing care of the older client
- 3.1 Document responses of older client to nursing actions
- 3.2 Report changes in older client response to nursing actions to registered nurse
- 3.3 Convey information clearly and accurately to appropriate staff member
- 3.4 Take into account complex and dual diagnosis issues in addressing aged care
- 3.5 Provide information on community services available to older person and their family
4. Use strategies which relate to the progressive and variable nature of dementia
- 4.1 Work with an awareness of dementia as a neurological condition
- 4.2 Provide activities appropriate for gender, culture and age reflecting likes and dislikes of the individual
- 4.3 Design activities that provide the client with opportunities for autonomy and risk-taking where they can maintain safety, dignity and comfort
- 4.4 Use a range of validation strategies to relieve distress and agitation in clients
5. Develop and implement strategies to minimise impact of challenging behaviours
- 5.1 Observe and document behaviours to determine triggers which may be related to: physical and emotional health; environment; tasks and communication
- 5.2 Consider the potential impact of the behaviours on the person or other persons in determining an appropriate response
- 5.3 Consider a range of options when developing effective responses for inclusion in the person's care plan
- 5.4 Implement best practice strategies which minimise the impact of behaviours
- 5.5 Regularly review strategies that are implemented to ensure maximum effectiveness
RANGE STATEMENT
The Range Statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Add any essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts.
Theories of ageing could include:
Biological theories
Psychosocial theory
Disengagement theory
Social exchange theory
Wear and tear theory
Activity theory
Health care settings may include, for example, environments involving:
Acute care
Sub-acute care
Rehabilitation
Aged care
Social attitudes and beliefs could include:
Fear of ageing
Definitions of aging
Demographics of aging
Changing attitudes
Culture
Religion
Normal ageing process
Normal physiological changes of aging
Age related laboratory values
Age related physical changes
Age related psychosocial changes
Age related adjustments could include:
Role changes
Retirement
Multiple losses
Loneliness
Depression and suicide
Fear of death
Changes in body image
Preventative health care include:
Health screenings
Dental health
Vision/hearing
Cancer screenings
Immunisations
Activities of daily living include:
Maintaining a safe environment
Communication
Breathing
Eating and drinking/Eliminating
Personal cleansing and dressing/grooming
Controlling body temperature
Mobilising/Working and playing
Expressing sexuality
Sleeping
Dying
Spiritual needs
Tools for functioning assessment:
Katz index
Barthel index and scale
Norton scale
Water low scale
Functional health patterns
Activities of daily living tool
Geriatric depression scale
Special health problems may include:
Common psychiatric problems
Delirium
Dementia
Prevention of illness and injury
Risk of falls
Depression
Disease processes include:
Alterations in sensory function
Alterations in cardiac function
Alterations in respiratory function
Alterations in neurological function
Alterations in musculoskeletal function
Alterations in genitourinary function
Alterations in endocrine function
Alterations in renal function
Oncological disorders
Palliative care
Community services for the older person:
Advocacy services
Meals on wheels
Home help
Hospice care
Respite services
Support groups and information (e.g. Council on the Ageing, Alzheimers Australia)
Strategies to respond to challenging behaviours include:
Distraction, for example reminiscences, walking and music
Behaviour modification
Addressing physical triggers to behaviour including pain
Complementary therapies
Ensuring safety and comfort of aged person while addressing the risks associated with:
Ability to find their own way
Wandering or other behaviours relating to agitation
Behaviours relating to psychotic experiences or mood disorders
Ability to recognise dangers in their environment
Environmental strategies may include:
Orientation to day, date, time of day, place, person, carer, family relationships, weather
Adequate lighting to decrease risk of misinterpreting their environment
Manipulate stimuli such as activity, noise, music, lighting, decor
Provision of safe space (to pace, wander)
Security
Validation strategies to relieve distress and agitation in clients may include:
Acknowledgment
Allowing expressions of distress
Providing verbal and/or physical reassurance
Use reminiscences routinely to connect with clients
The Range Statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Add any essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts.
Theories of ageing could include:
Biological theories
Psychosocial theory
Disengagement theory
Social exchange theory
Wear and tear theory
Activity theory
Health care settings may include, for example, environments involving:
Acute care
Sub-acute care
Rehabilitation
Aged care
Social attitudes and beliefs could include:
Fear of ageing
Definitions of aging
Demographics of aging
Changing attitudes
Culture
Religion
Normal ageing process
Normal physiological changes of aging
Age related laboratory values
Age related physical changes
Age related psychosocial changes
Age related adjustments could include:
Role changes
Retirement
Multiple losses
Loneliness
Depression and suicide
Fear of death
Changes in body image
Preventative health care include:
Health screenings
Dental health
Vision/hearing
Cancer screenings
Immunisations
Activities of daily living include:
Maintaining a safe environment
Communication
Breathing
Eating and drinking/Eliminating
Personal cleansing and dressing/grooming
Controlling body temperature
Mobilising/Working and playing
Expressing sexuality
Sleeping
Dying
Spiritual needs
Tools for functioning assessment:
Katz index
Barthel index and scale
Norton scale
Water low scale
Functional health patterns
Activities of daily living tool
Geriatric depression scale
Special health problems may include:
Common psychiatric problems
Delirium
Dementia
Prevention of illness and injury
Risk of falls
Depression
Disease processes include:
Alterations in sensory function
Alterations in cardiac function
Alterations in respiratory function
Alterations in neurological function
Alterations in musculoskeletal function
Alterations in genitourinary function
Alterations in endocrine function
Alterations in renal function
Oncological disorders
Palliative care
Community services for the older person:
Advocacy services
Meals on wheels
Home help
Hospice care
Respite services
Support groups and information (e.g. Council on the Ageing, Alzheimers Australia)
Strategies to respond to challenging behaviours include:
Distraction, for example reminiscences, walking and music
Behaviour modification
Addressing physical triggers to behaviour including pain
Complementary therapies
Ensuring safety and comfort of aged person while addressing the risks associated with:
Ability to find their own way
Wandering or other behaviours relating to agitation
Behaviours relating to psychotic experiences or mood disorders
Ability to recognise dangers in their environment
Environmental strategies may include:
Orientation to day, date, time of day, place, person, carer, family relationships, weather
Adequate lighting to decrease risk of misinterpreting their environment
Manipulate stimuli such as activity, noise, music, lighting, decor
Provision of safe space (to pace, wander)
Security
Validation strategies to relieve distress and agitation in clients may include:
Acknowledgment
Allowing expressions of distress
Providing verbal and/or physical reassurance
Use reminiscences routinely to connect with clients
EVIDENCE GUIDE
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate this competency unit:
The individual being assessed must provide evidence of specified essential knowledge as well as skills
Observation of performance in a work context is essential for assessment of this unit
Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of workplace situations and should occur on more than one occasion and be assessed by a registered nurse
Context of and specific resources for assessment:
This unit is most appropriately assessed in the workplace under the normal range of workplace conditions but partial assessment could be undertaken under simulated conditions
Assessment should replicate workplace conditions as far as possible
Where, for reasons of safety, access to equipment and resources and space, assessment takes place away from the workplace, simulations should be used to represent workplace conditions as closely as possible
Method of assessment
Observation in the work place
Written assignments/projects
Case study and scenario as a basis for discussion of issues and strategies to contribute to best practice
Questioning - verbal and writing
Role play/simulation
Resource implications:
Access to appropriate workplace(s) where assessment can be conducted
Access and equity considerations:
All workers in the health industry should be aware of access and equity issues in relation to their own area of work
All workers should develop their ability to work in a culturally diverse environment
In recognition of particular health issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, workers should be aware of cultural, historical and current issues impacting on health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Assessors and trainers must take into account relevant access and equity issues, in particular relating to factors impacting on health of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities
Related units:
This unit is recommended to be assessed in conjunction with the following related competency units:
HLTAP401B Confirm physical health status
HLTEN509B Apply legal and ethical parameters to nursing practice
HLTEN402B Communicate effectively in a nursing role
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate this competency unit:
The individual being assessed must provide evidence of specified essential knowledge as well as skills
Observation of performance in a work context is essential for assessment of this unit
Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of workplace situations and should occur on more than one occasion and be assessed by a registered nurse
Context of and specific resources for assessment:
This unit is most appropriately assessed in the workplace under the normal range of workplace conditions but partial assessment could be undertaken under simulated conditions
Assessment should replicate workplace conditions as far as possible
Where, for reasons of safety, access to equipment and resources and space, assessment takes place away from the workplace, simulations should be used to represent workplace conditions as closely as possible
Method of assessment
Observation in the work place
Written assignments/projects
Case study and scenario as a basis for discussion of issues and strategies to contribute to best practice
Questioning - verbal and writing
Role play/simulation
Resource implications:
Access to appropriate workplace(s) where assessment can be conducted
Access and equity considerations:
All workers in the health industry should be aware of access and equity issues in relation to their own area of work
All workers should develop their ability to work in a culturally diverse environment
In recognition of particular health issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, workers should be aware of cultural, historical and current issues impacting on health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Assessors and trainers must take into account relevant access and equity issues, in particular relating to factors impacting on health of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities
Related units:
This unit is recommended to be assessed in conjunction with the following related competency units:
HLTAP401B Confirm physical health status
HLTEN509B Apply legal and ethical parameters to nursing practice
HLTEN402B Communicate effectively in a nursing role
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| C9211 | HLTEN414A | Deliver basic nursing care to older clients | Unit of competency |
