Meet an Aged Care Professional
We caught up with Daz Smith who is the current Dementia Excellence Lifestyle Consultant at Scalabrini Village. He has made a very positive impact on the lives of many elderly people in the local community.
1. Tell us a bit about your role in Aged care.
As the third member of the Scalabrini Dementia Excellence Team, I currently hold the position of Dementia Excellence Lifestyle Consultant. This positon supports, enables and empowers all staff in the our six Scalabrini Villages to practice what we say we do, with a high quality and understanding of Meaningful Engagement, Lifestyle Choice and Diversity being offered to the people we support and reside in our villages.
2.What does an Aged care professional do on a day-to day basis?
Daily an aged care professional takes the time to support the person in decision making in regards to all aspects of the person’s lifestyle and wellbeing. An aged-care professional takes the time to get to know the person, while remaining calm, relaxed and engaged. They also promote meaningful relationships and environments that foster enablement in partnerships with staff, residents, families and the larger community.
Daz Smith is the current Dementia Excellence Lifestyle Consultant at Scalabrini Village.
3.What do you think are the skills an Aged care professional should have?
- The understanding and practice of positive social interaction and connection.
- The knowledge and awareness of types of dementia and the benefits of good communication skills.
- The ability to relate, reflect and reminisce when working alongside elders, families and co-workers.
4.What are your favorite things about working in the Aged Care industry?
I love to empower and enhance others (whether it be the people we support or the people I work alongside) to support them to experience value, fulfilment, meaning and connection.
5.What advice would you give students aspiring to work in the Aged Care industry?
The advice I would give is to practice openness to change and diversity, the willingness to experiment with ideas and to do something rather than nothing at all.
I would also recommend educating yourself and others, question WHY at times we do things a certain way, never take it personally with particular situations and be proud and happy in your role.
Thank You, Daz for sharing your story with training.com.au
