Health and Frail Care Programme
Our advanced Health and Welfare SETA (HWSETA)-accredited Health and Frail Care Programme is a full-time 15-week programme consisting of five weeks theoretical and practical training in a classroom situation at our campus and 10 weeks of practical work through a work-integrated learning opportunity offered at one of 26 different care institutions across the Western Cape.
The purpose of the programme is to teach learners how to take care of a sick or frail patient, an elderly person or a sick baby/child. The Programme cover modules such as ethical care at health care centres and in private homes, basic anatomy, assisting immobile patients, and baby and child care. Our students complete their practical training at institutions like specialist children’s hospitals and old age homes. They also regularly obtain employment at the institutions where they complete their practical training.
“The best thing you can do for an elderly person is to treat them with patience and respect.”
– Krystal Mowers, a frail care assistant in private employ
Our modules cover the following:
- Ethics of care at a Health Care Centre and Private House
- Primary Health Care
- Taking care of the patient’s environment
- Mobility
- Personal care of a patient
- Anatomy and physiology of the human body and normal changes with ageing
- Basic first aid
- Maintaining health and functionality
- Care of patients with specific problems
- Care of infants, babies and child care
- Palliative care
- Death and bereavement support
“Today, I am able to work as a nurse’s assistant and take care of elderly persons living here at Geluksoord. It really is a dream come true and a privilege to be able to do this kind of work. I still plan to follow my dream of becoming a nurse one day though.” – Odette Robyn, a nurse’s assistant at Geluksoord old age home
