Nursing & Elderly Care Training Course

Elder Care and Healthcare Support Training

1. Module Purpose and Overview

Welcome to the Elder Care and Healthcare Support Training module.

This programme is designed to equip learners with essential knowledge, practical caregiving skills, and professional attitudes required to support elderly individuals in both healthcare and community care settings.

Learners will develop competencies in:

• Understanding ageing-related conditions

• Managing challenging behaviours

• Applying safe caregiving techniques

• Communicating effectively with elderly individuals

• Delivering person-centred, safe, and respectful care

This training emphasises real-world application, ensuring learners can confidently perform caregiving duties in workplace environments.

1.1 Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, learners will be able to:

1. Provide Safe and Effective Elderly Care

• Deliver basic caregiving services safely and effectively, including hygiene care, feeding assistance, mobility support, and health monitoring

• Apply proper techniques and safety practices to prevent injury, infection, and complications

2. Recognise Elderly Needs (Physical, Emotional & Cognitive)

• Identify physical, emotional, and health-related needs of elderly individuals

• Recognise common conditions such as Hypertension, Diabetes, and Arthritis

• Understand emotional challenges such as loneliness, fear, and frustration

3. Apply Person-Centred Dementia Care

• Recognise signs and symptoms of Dementia, including memory loss, confusion, and behavioural changes

• Respond appropriately using structured approaches:

  • Observe → Approach → Reassure → Redirect

• Provide safe, respectful, and supportive care for individuals with cognitive impairment

• Adapt communication and care techniques to suit dementia patients

4. Apply Core Caregiving Skills in Practice

• Perform caregiving tasks effectively, including:

  • Hygiene care

  • Feeding assistance

  • Patient handling and mobility

  • Basic health monitoring

• Maintain patient comfort, dignity, and independence during care

5. Respond to Changes in Condition and Behaviour

• Observe and identify changes in health, mood, and behaviour

• Recognise warning signs (e.g. confusion, sweating, weakness)

• Take appropriate action, including timely reporting and escalation

6. Demonstrate Professionalism and Caregiver Attitude

• Show empathy, patience, and respect in all interactions

• Maintain professional conduct and ethical caregiving practices

• Ensure safety, dignity, and quality of life for elderly individuals

1.2 Learning Units

This course consists of the following modules:

Unit 1: Elder care fundamentals

• Understanding the ageing process

• Common elderly conditions (e.g. Hypertension, Diabetes, Arthritis)

• Emotional needs of elderly individuals

• Basic caregiver roles and responsibilities

Unit 2: Caregiving Skills

• Hygiene care and personal care support

• Feeding assistance and choking prevention

• Infection control practices

• Safe and effective caregiving techniques

Unit 3: Dementia Awareness

• Understanding Dementia and its impact

• Signs, symptoms, and behavioural changes

• Stages of dementia

• Person-centred dementia care and response techniques

Unit 4: Patient Handling

• Safe transfer techniques (e.g. bed to wheelchair)

• Proper body mechanics and posture

• Positioning and mobility support

• Fall prevention and safety awareness

Unit 5: Health Monitoring

• Vital signs (temperature, pulse, breathing)

• Observing changes in condition (appetite, mood, movement)

• Identifying warning signs (e.g. confusion, weakness)

• Reporting and escalation procedures

UNIT 6: COMMUNICATION SKILLS

·         Use clear and simple verbal communication with elderly individuals

·         Apply appropriate non-verbal communication (eye contact, body language)

·         Adapt communication for elderly with Dementia or hearing difficulties

·         Identify and understand causes of difficult behaviour

·         Manage behaviour calmly by reassuring and redirecting

·         Communicate effectively during caregiving activities

·         Demonstrate empathy, patience, and professionalism

1.3 Assumed Skills and Knowledge

Learners are expected to have:

• Basic understanding of Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) practices

• Awareness of caregiving or healthcare environments (preferred but not mandatory)

• Ability to follow organisational procedures and instructions

• Basic English literacy (equivalent to WPL Level 3)

• Basic numeracy skills

Learners who do not meet these requirements are encouraged to attend preparatory training to maximise learning effectiveness.

1.4 Target Audience

This course is suitable for:

• Caregivers and healthcare support staff

• Nursing aides and healthcare assistants

• Community care and eldercare workers

• Individuals seeking to enter the healthcare and eldercare sector

Training Delivery Methodology

Training will be conducted using a combination of:

• Mini-lectures – to explain key concepts and frameworks

• Interactive discussions – to encourage sharing and understanding

• Group activities and role play – to practice real-life scenarios

• Case studies – to apply knowledge in practical situations

• Self-reflection exercises – to reinforce learning

Course Duration

Statement of Attainment (SOA)
Learners will receive an SOA upon successful completion.

Requirements:

• Minimum 75% attendance

• Attempt all assessments

• Achieve Competent in all required competencies

Certification:

• Issued by SkillsFuture Singapore

• Confirms achievement of required knowledge and skills under WSQ

Programme Info:

• Modular programme; learners can complete more modules for full qualification

Assessment:

• Based on knowledge, skills, and attitudes (refer to Assessment Plan for details)

Assessment Strategy Overview

Day 1 – Written Assessments

Day 2 – Role Play Assessments