The course is designed for Eldercare frontline staff who provide direct care in intermediate and long term care sector. In order to deliver good care, Eldercare staff need to be equipped with basic counselling skills in addressing emotional needs of older persons and build relationship to provide emotional support.
Course Objectives
• Describe factors for successful ageing
• Understand ageing process and emotional needs of older persons
• Apply engaging skills including physical attending skills and active listening skills
• Apply empathy in communicating with older persons to provide emotional support
• Apply skills on clarifying and asking questions
• Apply skills on appreciation and affirmation
Training Methodology
Lecture, Group discussion, Activities, Self-reflection, Role plays, Case study and assessment
Course outline
| Day 1 |
Understanding older persons using life span approach |
| |
Emotional needs of older persons |
| |
Common mistakes in communication |
| |
Principles in effective communication |
| |
Engagement skills, physical attending skills, encouragers in communication |
| |
How to build rapport with clients |
| |
Understand and engage clients using different communication styles |
| |
Understand our own barrier in communicating with older persons |
| |
Reflect on our own communication styles |
| |
|
| Day 2 |
Overview of iceberg metaphor |
| |
Understand different levels of message to listen to |
| |
Empathetic reflection skill and myth on empathy |
| |
Skills on clarifying and asking questions |
| |
Skills on appreciation and affirmation |
| |
Assessment |
Target Audience
Health attendance, nursing aides, therapy aides, SAS staff or community health workers.
Trainers’ Profile
Phyllis Lee holds Masters in Counselling and Gerontology and is ACTA-certified by Singapore Workforce Development Agency. A firm believer in active ageing coupled with her post graduate academic training, she has been actively involved in various discussions and activities (relating to ageing issues) both at the societal level as well as with various government departments.
For enquiries, please email Laurence Low at laurencelow@tsaofoundation.org.
Counselling
