PODCAST · health
So You Work in Aged Care
by Dr. Julie Bajic Smith
Dr. Julie Bajic Smith (PhD) is an award winning Aged Care Psychology Consultant. After completing her doctorate focusing on the wellbeing of home care workers she continues to research, publish and support the frontline workforce through a range of educational programs.The aged care workforce is in crisis, and we mustn't normalise this. I've seen firsthand how vital it is to support these workers, providing them with the tools and training they need to thrive. I always say, “Support your workers, and you will be rewarded triple-fold - loyal employees, happier clients, and fewer complaints received.”So You Work in Aged Care is a new podcast launched in August 2024. After the Covid-19 pandemic, it is evident that the frontline workforce is facing additional challenges to support our elders. Tackling loneliness, isolation, low mood, managing declining clients and those with over-ambitious expectations can lead to stress, burnout and low staff morale.So You Work in Aged Care is a pod
Episodes
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Episode 79: Beyond Burnout - Reclaiming Energy and Identity After Emotional Exhaustion
Episode 79: Beyond Burnout - Reclaiming Energy and Identity After Emotional Exhaustion Burnout isn’t failure — it’s feedback. In this episode, Julie offers a compassionate and psychologically grounded reframe of burnout. She explores the emotional cost of service‑driven roles, the quiet…
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Episode 78: The Emotional Labour, What We Don’t Talk About
Episode 78: The Emotional Labour, What We Don't Talk About Just because it’s invisible doesn’t mean it’s not exhausting. In this episode, Julie explores the emotional labour behind care, service and wellbeing roles — the quiet, unseen work of listening, absorbing, regulating and showing up with...
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Episode 77: Owning Change with Clarity and Courage
Episode 77: Owning Change with Clarity and Courage Transitions aren’t detours. They’re the path. In this episode, Julie explores what it means to navigate change with clarity, courage and compassion. Drawing from her own lived transitions — evolving beyond aged care, reshaping Wise Care, and...
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Episode 76: From Sector-Specific to Human-Centric
Episode 76: From Sector‑Specific to Human‑Centric Emotional safety isn’t sector‑bound. It’s soul‑bound. In this episode, Julie explores emotional safety as a universal human need — not just a workplace concept. She reflects on how emotional safety shows up (or breaks down) in everyday life: on…
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Episode 75: Why I’m Moving Forward Without Letting Go
Episode 75: Why I’m Moving Forward Without Letting Go Legacy isn’t what you leave behind — it’s what you carry forward. In this reflective episode, Julie shares the emotional and professional journey of expanding beyond aged care. She explores the tension between loyalty and evolution, the fear…
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#74 – Embracing Change: Thriving in Aged Care Through 2024 and Beyond
In this episode of the So You Work in Aged Care podcast, we delve into how embracing change can help you thrive in the ever-evolving landscape of aged care. We'll explore technological advancements, innovative care practices, resilience-building strategies, continuous learning and the importance…
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#73 – The Power of Empathy: How Empathy Can Transform Caregiving
In this episode of the So You Work in Aged Care podcast, we discuss the transformative power of empathy in caregiving. Discover how empathy can build stronger connections, improve communication and provide crucial emotional support for both caregivers and residents. I will explore the…
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#72 – Turning Criticism into Growth: Embracing Negative Feedback with Confidence
In this episode of the So You Work in Aged Care podcast, we’re diving into the world of feedback, especially the tricky territory of negative feedback. It can be tough to hear, but it's a goldmine for personal and professional growth. I’m going to share some practical tips on how to handle…
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#71 – Mantras for Aged Care Workers: Enhancing Wellbeing on the Job
Whether you work in residential or community settings, boosting your own wellbeing on the job is essential. If we rely on others for our wellbeing, we end up with mixed messages. It's vital to listen to our self-talk and reflect on whether it's sending positive or negative energy. What messages…
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#70 Building Bridges- Trust, Communication, and Boundaries for Better Client Relationships
OVERVIEW In this episode of the So You Work in Aged Care podcast we’re discussing how we can achieve better client connection, with a focus on how to build trust, effective communication, setting boundaries and feedback mechanisms. Client connection is something many of us naturally strive to...
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#69 The Power of Pausing - Embracing Unproductivity for Health, Creativity, and Balance
OVERVIEW In this episode of the So You Work in Aged Care podcast we’re talking about the importance of embracing unproductivity. With so much focus these days on getting more done, not just at work but in our personal lives too, it can feel like we don’t have time to stop. But being ‘on’ all the...
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#68 Navigating Stress - Strategies to Overcome Overwhelm and Time Pressure
OVERVIEW In this episode of the So You Work in Aged Care podcast, we’re looking at how you can identify what matters most, and why this can be particularly helpful when you are feeling isolated, tired, stressed or overwhelmed. When I ask people what matters most, they will usually respond quickly...
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#67: Balancing the Scales - Addressing Unpaid Care, Stress, and Burnout in Women’s Health Week
OVERVIEW In this episode of the So You Work in Aged Care podcast, the focus is on Women’s Health Week as part of our six-part series on community care. This topic is particularly of interest to those working in aged care as the latest research shows that the aged care workforce is made up of...
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#66: Mastering Mentorship - Unlocking Benefits, Finding Start Points, and Sustaining Practice
OVERVIEW In this episode of the So You Work in Aged Care podcast, the second in our community care series, we look at the topic of mentoring and supervision – what it is, the benefits it offers, where we can find this kind of support and how to maintain it. Mentoring and supervision can support…
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#65: Breaking the Silence: Building Community in Aged Care
Podcast Show Notes – S2 Aged Care Ep 7 PODCAST DETAILS TBC 2024 So You Work in Aged Care Connecting with others OVERVIEW In this episode of the So You Work in Aged Care podcast we discuss isolation and loneliness for aged care workers, and share some strategies and ideas on ways you can connect...
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#64: Why We Neglect Self-Care: Unpacking the Causes and Solutions
OVERVIEW In episode 6 of our 6-part series for the So You Work in Aged Care podcast, we discuss the importance of self-care for those working in aged care, and share strategies and tips to help you incorporate wellbeing practices and routines into your day. There are a range of reasons why we may...
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#62: Dealing with Violence and Aggression in the Workplace
Podcast Show Notes – S2 Aged Care Ep 4 PODCAST DETAILS 24 September 2024 So You Work in Aged Care Workplace violence and aggression - Episode 4 of 6 OVERVIEW In episode 4 of our 6-part series for the So You Work in Aged Care podcast, we continue to explore the key issues and trends that are...
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#63: Speak Up: Navigating Communication Challenges in Aged Care
PODCAST DETAILS 1 October 2024 So You Work in Aged Care Communication - Episode 5 of 6 OVERVIEW In episode 5 of our 6-part series for the So You Work in Aged Care podcast, we discuss an important issue within the aged care industry in Australia –communication – and share strategies and tips to…
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#61: Covid Pandemic - Have We Recovered?
Podcast Show Notes – S2 Aged Care Ep 3 PODCAST DETAILS ● 17 September 2024 ● So You Work in Aged Care ● Covid Pandemic: Have We Recovered?- Episode 3 of 6 OVERVIEW In episode 3 of the 6-part series for the So You Work in Aged Care podcast, we continue to explore the burning issues, news and…
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#60: Overworked and Overwhelmed
Podcast Show Notes – S2 Aged Care Ep 2 PODCAST DETAILS 10 September 2024 So You Work in Aged Care News and Trends in Aged Care- Episode 2 of 6 OVERVIEW In episode 2 of her 6-part series for the So You Work in Aged Care podcast, Dr Julie continues to explore the news and trends affecting the aged...
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#59: So You Work in Aged Care - Welcome
Podcast Show Notes – S2 Aged Care Ep 1 PODCAST DETAILS 5 September 2024 So You Work in Aged Care News and Trends in Aged Care OVERVIEW In this episode, Dr Julie introduces her new podcast, So You Work in Aged Care, explaining the reasons for a shift in focus from the wellbeing of elders to the...
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#58: Psychological input with treatment team in residential care
Show notes: Special edition CASE STUDIES Psychological input with treatment team in residential care In this series of podcasts, we are exploring varies topics through case studies – and today we are looking at psychological inputs within the treatment team in aged care. In this episode you will...
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#57: Intimacy and Dementia
Show notes: Special edition CASE STUDIES Intimacy and dementia In this series of podcasts, we are exploring varies topics through case studies – and today we are looking at intimacy and dementia. In this episode you will learn: Rights of elders when it comes to their intimacy needs The impact of...
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#56: Supporting Families of Home Care Recipients
Show notes: Special edition CASE STUDIES Supporting families of home care recipients In this series of podcasts, we are exploring varies topics through case studies – and today we are looking at supporting families of home care recipients. In this episode you will learn: The advantages of working...
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#55: Routine Management and ADLs
Show notes: Special edition CASE STUDIES Routine management and activities of daily living for care recipients In this series of podcasts we are exploring varies topics through case studies – and in this episode we look at routine management and activities of daily life for care recipients. We…
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#54: Helpful Sentence Structure in Dementia
Show notes: Special edition CASE STUDIES Episode #2 – Series #2 Helpful sentence structure in dementia In this series of podcasts we are exploring case studies – and in this episode we will look at dementia and sentence structure to improve engagement. We will cover: How to activate our five…
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#53: Supporting Families in Residential Care
Show notes: Special edition CASE STUDIES Supporting families in residential care The focus this special six-episode series of the Voice of Aged Care podcast is case studies – real-life stories focused on the topics that impact those of us working within the aged care sector. These topics have all...
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#52: Improving Your Coping Strategies
Show notes: Episode #52 – Special edition Coping strategies In our 6-part special edition series of the Voice of Aged Care podcast, we are looking at factors associated with wellbeing for those within the aged care workforce – and in this, the sixth and final episode in the series, we discuss...
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#51: Managing Emotions in Aged Care
Show notes: Episode #5 – Special edition Emotions In the fifth episode of our 6-part special edition series of the Voice of Aged Care podcast, we look at emotions – our own emotions and those of others around us. It’s such an important topic, understanding what is going and how we can respond to...
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#50: Measuring and Boosting Productivity in Aged Care
Show notes: Episode #4 – Special edition Productivity In the fourth episode of our 6-part special edition series of the Voice of Aged Care podcast, we look at productivity in aged care – the core elements of productivity, the barriers to productivity, individual strategies for boosting...
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#49: Burnout and Working in Aged Care
Show notes: Episode #3 – Special edition Burnout and Working in Aged Care In the third episode of our 6-part special edition series of the Voice of Aged Care podcast, we will discuss the impact of burnout on you and the workplace, looking at the differences between stress and burnout, what…
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#48: Building Blocks of Resilience in Aged Care
Show notes: Episode #2 – Special edition Building Blocks of Resilience in Aged Care In this, the second episode of our 6-part special edition series of the Voice of Aged Care podcast, we will look at how we define resilience, the building blocks of resilience, self-awareness and action, and...
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#47: Dealing With Change – Coping Strategies for Aged Care Workers
Dealing With Change – Coping Strategies for Aged Care Workers In this, the first episode of our 6-part special edition series of the Voice of Aged Care podcast, we discuss change and share coping strategies for aged care workers to best deal with change in the workplace. Over the past few years…
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#46: Getting into the Industry
Show notes: Episode #46 Getting Into the Industry If you are considering getting into the aged care industry, it can be hard to know where to start. So in this episode I share 5 essential considerations that will set you up for a rewarding career in aged care. With the aging population here in...
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#45: Elder Engagement with Lauretta Kaldor
Diversional therapist Lauretta Kaldor is true pioneer in her field, and has a wealth of wisdom and knowledge to share. Starting out as a school teacher in the 1950s at the age of 19, her journey towards diversional therapy began later in life when she was teaching arts and crafts to older people....
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#44 Where and How to Escalate Your Concerns
Show notes: Episode #44 Escalating Concerns For those who work in aged care or care for elders in their home, it can be difficult to know when and where to escalate concerns about client wellbeing. This applies to concerns about the wellbeing of the person’s family and your colleagues too. While…
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#43 Therapeutic Lying - Dos and Don'ts
Show notes: Episode #43 Therapeutic Lying - Dos and Don'ts People resort to lying for so many different reasons. Often we lie to avoid punishment or to protect ourselves or someone else. We may also lie to maintain our privacy or to avoid embarrassment. In this episode, the focus is on…
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#42: What I learned from Teepa Snow
Show notes: Episode #42 What I learned From Teepa Snow Earlier in the year I was lucky enough to meet Teepa Snow, one of the leading educators on dementia, and attend her half-day workshop. I came away with many valuable new learnings and insights, so in this episode, I am sharing three key...
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#41 Dealing With Tricky People
Show notes: Episode #41 Dealing With Tricky People In work and life, you are sure to encounter tricky people at times. I have personally experienced people who have different types of attitudes and beliefs to my own, and this has caused friction. I’m sure at times there have been some people who...
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#40: What is Emotional Contagion and How Relevant is it in Aged Care?
Show notes: Episode 40 What is Emotional Contagion and How Relevant is it in Aged Care? While I was at Uni, my PhD examined the concept of emotional contagion. But what exactly does this mean? It relates closely to this question I was recently asked by a client: How does the positive attitude of...
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#39 How I Cope with Workplace Death and Dying
Show notes: Episode 39 How I Cope with Workplace Death and Dying A topic that comes up often in my work is death and dying. There’s no doubt it can be difficult to talk about and process, and we all have our own way of dealing with grief and finding closure. It is important to find what works…
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#38: Interview with Sue Dawson, Chaplain
Show notes: Episode 38 Interview with Sue Dawson, Chaplain In this episode I chat with a very special guest, Sue Dawson, who is a chaplain working in a retirement village and residential care facility, and a facilitator of the Wellness Adventure program. After starting her career as a registered...
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#37: Demolition of a Retirement Village: Resident Impact
Demolition of a Retirement Village: Resident Impact A beautiful retirement village I first visited over a decade ago is going through a significant change. The site is being redeveloped, with the existing single storey villas being knocked down and replaced with high rise apartments. Change is...
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#36: What Is Your Coping Style?
We all have different coping styles, and we’ve all been exposed to different types of stress in our lives. So how do we understand the coping styles used in late life and what we can do about it? Stress is a normal part of life, and coping is what people do to try and minimise stress. We all find...
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#35 How to Become a Mental Health Champion
How to become a mental health champion At a recent event in Sydney, a presenter, a renowned psychiatrist, said something that struck a chord with me: It’s not about the tools, it’s about who will take us through them. In other words, it’s not about resources – it’s about who will use them, how…
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#34 What are the Signs and Steps to Psychological Support in Late Life?
What are the signs and steps to psychological support in late life I get a lot of emails from people asking about the signs and steps to psychological support in late life. For example, maybe you’ve identified that a client or family member needs help, but are unsure of the next step. Or perhaps...
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#33 Sadness vs. Depression
Sadness vs. depression What is the difference between sadness and depression? And how do we know if an older person is experiencing one or the other? Firstly, sadness is an emotion, and we all can get sad at times, while depression is a mental health condition. The difference can be seen in terms...
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#32: Loneliness versus Isolation
Loneliness and isolation are common in late life and two terms used interchangeably, yet there are not the same. Sometimes loneliness and isolation are normalised as part of ageing, and more recently with the pandemic and restrictions associated with COVID-19, isolation is attributed to…
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Improving Aged Care Staff Morale
Working in aged care is rewarding but can also be challenging. The last two years have been particularly difficult with increased work demands. In this episode we discuss the importance of examining this topic, organisational support and involving the workforce in the quality and improvement...
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Staying Motivated at Work and Dealing with Client Turnover
In this episode we discuss the challenges of experiencing client turnover in aged care. We will cover communication styles, resilience building activities and the importance of self-care strategies. Links Buy my book "Beyond the Reluctant Move" Find out about my Courses Download my popular Resources
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Dr. Julie Bajic Smith (PhD) is an award winning Aged Care Psychology Consultant. After completing her doctorate focusing on the wellbeing of home care workers she continues to research, publish and support the frontline workforce through a range of educational programs.The aged care workforce is in crisis, and we mustn't normalise this. I've seen firsthand how vital it is to support these workers, providing them with the tools and training they need to thrive. I always say, “Support your workers, and you will be rewarded triple-fold - loyal employees, happier clients, and fewer complaints received.”So You Work in Aged Care is a new podcast launched in August 2024. After the Covid-19 pandemic, it is evident that the frontline workforce is facing additional challenges to support our elders. Tackling loneliness, isolation, low mood, managing declining clients and those with over-ambitious expectations can lead to stress, burnout and low staff morale.So You Work in Aged Care is a pod
HOSTED BY
Dr. Julie Bajic Smith
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How many episodes does So You Work in Aged Care have?
So You Work in Aged Care currently has 74 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is So You Work in Aged Care about?
Dr. Julie Bajic Smith (PhD) is an award winning Aged Care Psychology Consultant. After completing her doctorate focusing on the wellbeing of home care workers she continues to research, publish and support the frontline workforce through a range of educational programs.The aged care workforce is in...
How often does So You Work in Aged Care release new episodes?
So You Work in Aged Care has 74 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to So You Work in Aged Care?
You can listen to So You Work in Aged Care on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts So You Work in Aged Care?
So You Work in Aged Care is created and hosted by Dr. Julie Bajic Smith.
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