Episodes

  • Improving Aged Care Staff Morale

    Improving Aged Care Staff Morale
    Jun 3 2022
    Working in aged care is rewarding but can also be challenging. The last two years have been particularly difficult with increased work demands. In this episode we discuss the importance of examining this topic, organisational support and involving the workforce in the quality and improvement process.
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    18 mins
  • Staying Motivated at Work and Dealing with Client Turnover

    Staying Motivated at Work and Dealing with Client Turnover
    May 3 2022
    In this episode we discuss the challenges of experiencing client turnover in aged care. We will cover communication styles, resilience building activities and the importance of self-care strategies.
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    19 mins
  • Supporting Elderly Clients With Multiple Losses

    Supporting Elderly Clients With Multiple Losses
    Apr 4 2022
    If you are supporting an older person chances are they have experienced a loss. It may be necessarily be the loss of a loved one, it could the loss of independence, value, role and meaning. In this episode we discuss strategies how to support clients with multiple losses.
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    19 mins
  • Getting Upset When Elderly Client Dies

    Getting Upset When Elderly Client Dies
    Mar 2 2022
    Professionally most of us are okay in discussing grief with our clients. However, when we are affected by workplace grief ourselves we may find it difficult to know what is okay to say or do. In this episode we discuss how we as professionals cope when a client passes away and strategies we can develop to help us through this journey.
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    19 mins
  • Why We Need to Tackle Grief in Late Life

    Why We Need to Tackle Grief in Late Life
    Aug 1 2021
    Grief is commonly misunderstood, perceived to be a mental health condition and something which can make many people uncomfortable. In this episode we explore grief - what it is and how it impacts the elderly. In late life grief is not always associated with the loss of a loved one or fear of one's own death. The accumulative effect of grief is explored and strategies offered to assist those who support our elderly members of the community.
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    22 mins
  • Why Ethics and Maintaining Professional Boundaries in Aged Care is Important

    Why Ethics and Maintaining Professional Boundaries in Aged Care is Important
    Jul 29 2021
    Working in aged care presents unique challenges as workplace is often the older person's home, either privately owned or in residential care.
    In this episode we discuss the impact of remote work and why maintaining professional boundaries is important - it protects the worker and the client. Being present both physically and psychologically is important for those who work in aged care and having a heavy workload can lead to stress and burnout.
    Learn the importance of rapport building and engagement and how it differs from oversharing and breaching professional boundaries.
    This episode is proudly brought to you by Enhancing Emotional Wellbeing in Late Life: industry endorsed and self-paced workshop for those who support the elders. Find out more from https://www.wisecare.com.au/enhancing-emotional-wellbeing
    You can also follow Dr. Julie Bajic Smith on Facebook and Instagram @wisecareau
    This podcast episode was edited and produced by Perk Digital.
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    22 mins
  • Get to Know the Host - Dr Julie is in the Hot Seat (Interviewed by Maurie Voisey-Barlin)

    Get to Know the Host - Dr Julie is in the Hot Seat (Interviewed by Maurie Voisey-Barlin)
    Dec 7 2020
    In this episode Dr Julie is in the Hot Seat as we get to know the host. We welcome back to the show Maurie Voisey-Barlin who is interviewing Julie. Maurie and Julie discuss Julie’s background, including her upbringing in Bosnia and then New Zealand, and doing her university study in Australia.
    Julie shares how moving to a new country where she didn’t speak English at the age of 11 has impacted her interest in communication and connection, as well as the special connection she had with older people from a young age.
    Maurie and Julie then discuss why she decided to focus on Aged Care, when and how WiseCare started and all about her research and work first with 1:1 psychology and now in the mentoring and training of the Aged Care Workforce.
    They cover the potential for growth and thriving in Aged Care, how to deal with and give families the right support, as well as empowering workers in Aged Care to both support the needs but also have a strengths-based approach to the residents, plus much more.
    Finally, Julie shares some of the biggest lessons and biggest wins from her time working in this industry, as well as her goals and what’s next for Julie and WiseCare.
    This is the final episode in Season 2 of the Voice of Aged Care Podcast. We’ll be back in 2021!
    This episode is proudly brought to you by the Beyond Reluctant Move book: practical approach to wellbeing in Residential Aged Care Facilities. Let’s together beat the myth that depression and dementia are a normal part of ageing. Grab a copy today from wisecare.com.au
    You can also follow Dr. Julie Bajic Smith on Facebook and Instagram @wisecareau
    This podcast episode was edited and produced by Perk Digital.
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    44 mins
  • Demystifying Palliative Care, with Kelly Arthurs

    Demystifying Palliative Care, with Kelly Arthurs
    Nov 23 2020
    Julie speaks with experienced Clinical Nurse Consultant, Kelly Arthurs, a Registered Nurse who specialises in Palliative Care. It’s a very important topic that is often not discussed openly in Aged Care because people don’t know how to ask the right questions or what to say or do, and Kelly has great insights to share.
    Kelly explains what Palliative Care is, including the 5 phases of Palliative Care, because it’s something people often are confused about. She shares a bit about her background and what inspired her to specialise in Palliative Care, as well as about the Hammond Care Centre for Learning and Research in Palliative Care.
    Julie and Kelly discuss how people working in Aged Care can connect with their local Palliative Care unit, as well as some resources for families or staff to use. Kelly also emphasises the power of information to equip staff and families with the knowledge of what death and dying looks like and how to make it a beautiful time for families.
    Kelly shares some tools to use, including the ‘surprise’ question, and why we need to take the opportunity to plan for good deaths even though it might be scary or hard to talk about. Finally, Julie and Kelly discuss lifting the profile and advocating for the field of Palliative Care, and some top tips for those to support clients in Palliative Care.
    Some resources from this episode:
    • Hammond Care Centre for Learning and Research in Palliative Care: https://www.hammond.com.au/services/palliative-centre
    • Palliative Care Bridge: http://www.palliativecarebridge.com.au
    • Free ‘Dying2Learn’ course from Flinders University and Caresearch https://www.caresearch.com.au/caresearch/tabid/2868/Default.aspx
    • ‘Let’s Talk About Dying’ TED Talk by Dr. Peter Saul: https://www.ted.com/talks/peter_saul_let_s_talk_about_dying
    • ‘Love is not enough’ video from Advanced Care Planning Australia: http://www.advancecareplanning.org.au/resources/love-is-not-enough
    • Dr. Kathryn Mannix ‘In My Humble Opinion’ video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CruBRZh8quc

    This episode is proudly brought to you by the Enhancing Emotional Wellbeing in late life workshop. This essential training is for anyone supporting older adults, seeking practical strategies to reduce isolation and loneliness, and help older adults make new and exciting as well as fulfilling moments. Find out more today from Wisecare.com.auYou can also follow Dr. Julie Bajic Smith on Facebook and Instagram @wisecareau
    This podcast episode was edited and produced by Perk Digital.
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    35 mins