Training for Good

Kia ora

Welcome to the October issue of Training for Good.
Hope you are enjoying spring and getting out and about to get some Vitamin D in your system. Spring is about fresh starts. So whether it’s kick starting a new hobby or training programme, or forming healthy habits, know that we are cheering you on!

In this issue, we share a story of a wife having to make the decision to entrust her husband with Dementia to a rest home and how the rest home staff made the transition easier. We also have assessment and study tips, as well some spring activities that you may want to try with your family and whānau.

Enjoy!

Life with Dementia: entrusting care of your loved one
A wife whose husband had been diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia shares her story of transitioning the care of her husband to a rest home. She shares the things that rest home staff did to help her and her family cope. Sometimes it’s the little things that matters.

“It’s the caregiver staff at the rest home who always give us time and respect. They have helped me the most. I feel relaxed about going to the home anytime and asking for advice or suggestions. Friends and family have been great, but the care staff who have cared for Bill, cared for me too.”

Nailing practical assessments
Practical assessments are a chance for you to demonstrate your skills and competencies. They require your assessor or supervisor to observe you doing a task outlined in your assessment and then providing evidence that you have done it correctly and have complied with your organisation’s policies and procedures.

If you have an observation section in your assessment, ask your assessor who is best to complete it for you. It may be your assessor, but it can also be an RN or your manager.
You will need to give your observer/verifier a paper copy of your assessment to complete the observation section and write their comments on. If you are using paper-based assessments, give them the copy you are working on. If you are using Aka Toi for online learning, download and print out a copy of the observation section for the observer/verifier to fill in and then upload it to Aka Toi when it’s completed.
Quick reference guides with instructions for downloading and uploading documents are provided for you on Aka Toi.

Show them what you can do! 😊

Create an environment for learning
As part of your training programme, you have to do some reading and learning using the provided learning guides or modules. Think about setting yourself up for success when you need to do this, so that you can focus and retain the information.
Ask yourself these questions:

What time of the day can I set aside where I can focus?
Where can I go so I won’t be disturbed?
Do I like working by myself, with a study buddy, or a group?
What do I need to have handy so I can concentrate on what I’m doing?

If you have set up the environment that works for you, learning can be made more enjoyable.

Training journey unlocks potential for Lifewise care workers

When Lifewise Health and Disability rolled out the Health and Wellbeing Level 4 qualification to its Homecare workers, there were positive outcomes for the workers, the clients they support and the organisation itself.

“Staff are now taking on more leadership roles, mentoring newcomers and contributing more,” says Evelyn Sharma, Homecare Worker Team Leader.

It isn't always easy and some trainees withdrew from the programme. But for those who decided to stay on, all the time and effort were well worth it.

Spring is most often associated with pastel colours, blooming flowers and gardening projects. And with the arrival of the spring season, as well as daylight saving time, Spring is all about getting a fresh start. It has been proven that there is a positive association between more sunlight and people becoming happier and more hopeful. Longer days, warmer temperatures and that distinct spring smell mark the beginning of limitless outdoor fun. Check out a list of things to love about spring and let us know what your favourite spring activities are.

Q. I need extra learning support, can you help me?
A. We want to ensure you are set up for success! There are plenty of organisations who offer learning support and resources for free. If you are having some challenges, it is absolutely fine to seek help. Here is a link to some organization that offer additional learning support in literacy and numeracy https://www.careerforce.org.nz/training/train-my-staff/literacy-numeracy/literacy-resources/

Do not be discouraged, there is plenty of support available. You are also welcome to contact us and we’ll help you out.

Prizes, prizes, prizes! Did we mention prizes?
Congratulations to the quiz winners from the July newsletter who won $50 prezzy cards each.
1.     Jess Nuku
2.     Andrew Harvey
3.     Richelle Retardo
Want to get in on the fun and prizes? Join the quiz now and get a chance to go into the draw to win 1 of 3 $50 prezzy cards.
The quiz closes on 16 November. To enter, follow this link.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TFGOct2020
We’ll contact the winners via email so don’t forget to provide your email address at the end of the quiz.