Do you work with older adults or want to pursue a career in this field? There is no question it’s a good time to do so, with an ageing population contributing towards the growing employment opportunities within the aged care sector.
As those who work with older people can attest to, it can be a deeply rewarding career. And there are many more roles beyond direct client care too. If you’re not keen on supporting people with daily essentials like personal care or taking them shopping for groceries, how about becoming involved in their social and recreational activities as a Day Activity Worker?
In this article, we look at the life of a Day Activity Worker and uncover everything about this role in detail: what it is, the responsibilities, potential salaries and how to become one.
What is a Day Activity Worker?
A Day Activity Worker is a professional who helps individuals to engage in meaningful daily activities to promote their wellbeing and quality of life. These roles are common across the care sector in Australia, with responsibilities ranging from organising social or therapeutic activities to providing support with skill development and personal goals. The role focuses on enhancing physical, emotional, and social health through tailored programs.
Day Activity Workers usually work in one of four sectors:
- Aged Care: Focused on older adults, these workers design recreational and therapeutic activities in aged care facilities or day centres, helping combat isolation and maintain cognitive and physical abilities.
- Disability: These workers facilitate activities for individuals with disabilities, such as life skills training, creative arts, and community integration, to encourage independence and social engagement.
- Community Engagement: These workers help clients connect with local events and groups, fostering a sense of belonging and community involvement.
- Lifestyle Support: Collaborating closely with clients, these workers create personalised activity plans to match individual preferences, such as fitness classes, music therapy, or outdoor activities.
Among the thousands of job opportunities assisting with activities, the Aged Care sector offers many for several reasons, not least the rise in Australia’s ageing population. As such, many people entering the sector as Day Activity Workers are doing so in Aged Care.
Day Activity Workers: Working in Aged Care
As people age, their physical and mental health can become severely impacted. Activities involving physical exercise, social engagement, sensory and cognitive stimulation are key to keeping older adults as healthy as possible, and the Aged Care sector relies on trained workers to provide these activities and keep older adults’ brains and bodies moving.
Day Activity Workers are essential for enriching the lives of older people living in care homes or visiting day centres. There are various role types to consider in the Aged Care activities space, with two extremely popular ones: Aged Care Activity Worker and Lifestyle Assistant. But what do these roles entail?
Aged Care Activity Worker Responsibilities
An Aged Care Activity Worker plays a crucial role in improving the quality of life for older adults through engaging and therapeutic activities. Their responsibilities are designed to support residents’ physical, emotional, and social wellbeing while fostering a sense of community and purpose. Here’s an overview of the key duties involved:
- Planning Recreational Activities: Designing a variety of programs tailored to residents’ interests and abilities, including games, arts and crafts, music sessions, or fitness classes.
- Encouraging Participation: Motivating residents to take part in activities by creating a welcoming and supportive environment that accommodates individual needs.
- Promoting Cognitive Health: Organising brain-stimulating activities like puzzles, memory games, and discussion groups to maintain and enhance mental acuity.
- Supporting Emotional Wellbeing: Offering opportunities for social interaction and meaningful engagement to reduce isolation and loneliness among aged care residents.
- Collaborating with Care Teams: Working closely with nurses, therapists, and family members to ensure that activities align with residents’ care plans and health goals.
- Monitoring and Reporting: Observing residents during activities and reporting on their participation, mood, and overall engagement to help adjust care strategies if needed.
- Adapting to Individual Needs: Modifying activities to cater to residents with varying levels of mobility, cognitive abilities, or other health considerations, ensuring inclusivity.
- Celebrating Special Occasions: Organising events to mark holidays, birthdays, or cultural celebrations, fostering a sense of joy and connection within the care home.
Aged Care Activity Workers bring creativity, empathy, and organisation to their roles, ensuring that older adults can enjoy meaningful and fulfilling days, regardless of their physical or cognitive state. This vital position not only enhances people’s lives but also contributes to the overall success of Aged Care programs.
Aged Care Lifestyle Assistant Responsibilities
A Lifestyle Assistant in Aged Care (or Lifestyle Activities Worker) plays a pivotal role in supporting older adults to lead fulfilling, engaging, and enriched lives. Unlike general activities workers, who focus predominantly on group activities, lifestyle workers adopt a more holistic approach to enhancing a resident’s overall wellbeing. They consider physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs when creating individualised and group-based experiences.
The key responsibilities when providing Lifestyle Activities in Aged Care include:
- Designing Personalised Lifestyle Plans: Collaborating with residents, their families, and care teams to create tailored programs that align with individual preferences, abilities, and life histories.
- Encouraging Social Connections: Facilitating opportunities for residents to connect with others through communal activities, interest groups, or external community engagement.
- Fostering Emotional Wellbeing: Supporting residents’ mental health by providing companionship, empathy, and activities that reduce loneliness or anxiety.
- Promoting Physical Health: Incorporating gentle exercises and mobility-supporting activities to maintain residents’ physical fitness and independence.
- Incorporating Cultural and Spiritual Elements: Organising culturally meaningful activities or spiritual practices that reflect residents’ beliefs and traditions.
- Monitoring and Adapting Activities: Regularly assessing the effectiveness of lifestyle programs and making adjustments based on feedback or changing needs.
Lifestyle Assistants bridge the gap between clinical care and personal fulfillment, ensuring that care home residents can enjoy meaningful days in a supportive and vibrant environment. Their role is crucial in fostering dignity, autonomy, and happiness for older adults living in care settings.
Pathways to Becoming an Activity Worker in Aged Care
There is a common misconception you need the Certificate IV in Leisure and Health to pursue activities-based jobs. While it’s true this qualification can help you, it isn’t a course that’s supported by government funding – and this means it’s often more costly for the individual to complete it.
Thankfully, there are other pathways that can help prepare you for these types of jobs in the Aged Care sector. The CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing) teaches you a range of practical skills to work effectively and compassionately with older people, giving you a solid foundation for jobs like Aged Care Activities Worker or Lifestyle Assistant. What’s more, as a government funded course, students only pay a small contribution instead of the full fees to complete it – so it can be a highly cost-effective entry point to the industry too!
About the Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing):
This highly regarded course equips students with essential skills to work effectively with older people. It consists of 15 study units – 9 core and 6 electives – covering topics such as working legally and ethically, supporting independence and wellbeing and following safe work practices for direct client care – all critical foundational skills required to provide care to older adults.
Typically completed in under a year, this program prepares students to step confidently into many roles within the Aged Care sector, including activities and lifestyle work.
Why it’s relevant:
- The Certificate covers communication, person-centered care, and supporting the well-being of older adults, which are essential for any Aged Care roles.
- These skills align with the responsibilities of engaging residents in social, physical, and creative activities to enhance their quality of life.
- Many employers in the Aged Care sector value candidates with a Certificate III in Individual Support as a baseline qualification for various roles, including activities and lifestyle work.
- With the Certificate III under your belt, many employers will offer on-the-job training for activities-focused positions.
After completing the course, you are prepared and eligible for jobs like Aged Care Activities Assistant/Worker, Lifestyle Assistant and more in private and public care homes. What’s more, with all these job types falling under the Aged Care Award for minimum pay rates and entitlements, you’ll enjoy fair compensation as well as plenty of job satisfaction in a deeply rewarding sector.
Getting Started as a Day Activity Worker
If this sounds like a career pathway that would suit your personal goals, why not sign up to the Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing) at Insight Training? The course will give you a great foundation for a career in Aged Care, including activities-based roles and many more, where using your skills can genuinely enrich the lives of older adults.
To learn more about this course and ensure it’s the right study pathway in line with your future ambitions, arrange a chat with a Career and Course Advisor.
