Briefly noted: The training of carers in homes for the aged

Abstract

Few homes for the aged are able to staff a frail-care facility entirely with professional nursing staff. For this reason most homes have a staff mix of a few nursing sisters supported by less qualified personnel such as enrolled nursing auxiliaries, who in turn are assisted by carers (previously called ward aides).

Carers have been shown to do valuable work in homes for the aged. Despite working in a type of “no-man's land" as far as professional responsibility is concerned, they can be and often are trained to very acceptable levels of competence and professional conduct. This has especially been the case where individuals have been judiciously selected and appointed.