we are currently reviewing our education program
and will provide and update in early 2021
Our Approach
Our approach to education recognises that after traditional PowerPoint training participants often feel inspired but unsure how to apply what they've learned. We address this gap by focusing on practical resources for action, change or improvement. Participants are given practical resources for change that include policies and tools for staff education to adapt to the needs of their organisation. This approach is well received by workshop participants as the following testimonial shows:
This is an informative and interactive course with excellent educational resources to bring back to the work place. It has already helped me to open up the conversation on the sometimes taboo topic of the importance of setting clear sexual boundaries in home care services, and the need for comprehensive guidelines and policies to protect both staff and clients. It was interesting to discuss true examples at the workshop and surprisingly then to hear friends and colleagues accounts post workshop. This is a relevant and prevalent topic in our somewhat ageist society where perhaps we feel old age and sexual expression do not co exist. Thank you Catherine for creating this course, I am looking forward to continuing this conversation and facilitating an education session at my place of work.
2017 education
It has been a very busy year - but we have heard your request for more education and resources to address sexuality. In August we launch the first in our new series of workshops - hosted by local providers. If you are interested in hosting a workshop please contact us.
Sexuality and Older people - Professional Boundaries Workshop Adelaide
All aged and community care services encounter difficulties with professional boundaries and many now provide information on professional boundaries to prospective clients. This focus is broadening to include professional boundaries related to older people’s sexuality – and service providers are calling for policies, resources and education to safeguard staff, clients and their service. This workshop has been developed for supervisors, managers and direct care staff in home services and residential aged care. The workshop focuses on professional boundaries related to older people’s sexuality. Workshop participants will be provided with:
Speakers·
Details
Date: Tuesday 29th August 2017
Time: 10am – 2pm (lunch provided)
Venue: ECH, 174 Greenhill Road, Parkside
Registration: here until 22th August
Cost: $250 inclusive of workshop, policy and lunch Kit.
Sexuality and Older people - Professional Boundaries Workshop Adelaide
All aged and community care services encounter difficulties with professional boundaries and many now provide information on professional boundaries to prospective clients. This focus is broadening to include professional boundaries related to older people’s sexuality – and service providers are calling for policies, resources and education to safeguard staff, clients and their service. This workshop has been developed for supervisors, managers and direct care staff in home services and residential aged care. The workshop focuses on professional boundaries related to older people’s sexuality. Workshop participants will be provided with:
- An updated professional boundaries (sexuality) policy and guidelines to use in their service
- An understanding of what professional boundaries (sexuality) are
- Strategies for responding when a boundary is crossed by a client, family member or staff
- Strategies to reduce the risk that a boundary is crossed
- Strategies for educating staff
- Information to educate clients and family members.
Speakers·
- Dr Catherine Barrett: information, resources and practical strategies for change
- Robyn Burton, Diversity Project Manager ECH: an aged care service’s journey to policy implementation
- Malloy Rolfe: an Elders perspective on the policy.
Details
Date: Tuesday 29th August 2017
Time: 10am – 2pm (lunch provided)
Venue: ECH, 174 Greenhill Road, Parkside
Registration: here until 22th August
Cost: $250 inclusive of workshop, policy and lunch Kit.
2016 education
We are facilitating workshops in most states and territories and you can keep an eye on our EventBrite page by clicking here or clicking on the links below. We hope to announce workshops for Sydney and Canberra over the next couple of months. The workshops are listed below with earliest workshops at the bottom of the page.
- Perth: A Sexuality Toolkit for Residential Aged Care Services.This workshop and resource has been developed for managers, care coordinators and team leaders working in residential aged care services in Western Australia. Guest presenter June Lowe, Chair of GRAI will share her insights on the experiences of older LGBTI people and the development of LGBTI inclusive aged care services. The workshop will be held on 8th June. To register download the form below or click on the following link: https://perthsexualitytoolkit.eventbrite.com.au
- Perth: Identifying and Managing Sexual Boundaries in Home Care Services: This workshop and resource has been developed for supervisors, managers and direct care staff in home care services in WA. The workshop will be held on 8th June. To register download the form below or click on the following link: https://perthboundaries.eventbrite.com.au
- Brisbane: A Sexuality Toolkit for Residential Aged Care Services: This workshop and resource has been developed for managers, care coordinators and team leaders working in residential aged care services in Queensland. Guest presenter Ricki Menzies from QuAC will share her insights on the experiences of older LGBTI Queenslanders and the development of LGBTI inclusive aged care services. The workshop will be held on 16th June at Centacare Enoggera. To register download the form below or click on the following link: https://sexualityrescareqld.eventbrite.com.au
- Brisbane: Identifying and Managing Sexual Boundaries in Home Care Services: This workshop and resource has been developed for supervisors, managers and direct care staff in home care services in Queensland. The workshop will be held on 16th June at Centacare Enoggera. To register download the form below or click here: https://sexualboundariesqld.eventbrite.com.au
- Melbourne: Sexual Boundaries workshop 2nd May 2016 - registrations closed
- Melbourne: Sexuality in Residential Aged Care workshop 11th May 2016: registrations closed.
In the Media
Media coverage is important because it helps to raise awareness of the sexual rights of older people. Thank you to all the journos who have covered our work. Articles include:
- Radio 6PR afternoon show Perth (12/10/16): Interview with Darren de Mello on the OPAL Institute
- ABC Local RADIO Queensland (11/10/16): interview with Kelly Higgins Devine on Older People and Sex
- Australian Ageing Agenda (26/8/16): Shedding light on mandatory reporting in aged care: here
- Your Life Choices (3/8/16): Older Australians fight for their right to have their sexual needs metlink here
- ABC website (2/8/16): The seniors leading Australia's latest sexual revolution: here
- Australian Ageing Agenda (7/7/16) - Sexual asssault of older women in largely hidden: here
- DPS News (29/6/16): Sex past 70 - Arent you too old for that sort of stuff: here
- Australian Ageing Agenda (12/5/16) - Sexuality, older people and the power of service providers: here
- ABC RN podcast (6/12/16): Late life sex (here)
- ABC News Melbourne (6/12/16): Sex and ageing. Older people tell us what they really think (link)
- OMNY FM (1/11/16): Is it ever too late to do the deed (link)
- DPS Publications (July 2016): sexUALITY, ageing and the OPAL Institute in July, check it out here
- The New Daily (16/10/16): How old is too old for sex? (here)
- ABC Melbourne (12/10/16). Reboot your life. How old is too old to have sex? (here)
- ABC News (2/8/16): The seniors leading Australia's sexual revolution (here)
- Aged Care Guide (2106): Sex past seventy. Aren't you too old for that sort of stuff (here)
- Australian Ageing Agenda (16/5/16): Sexuality, older people and the power of service providers (link)
Presentations
The OPAL Team are involved in a number of presentations relating to sexuality and challenging ageism more broadly. Some of these include:
- Better Practice Conference, The Aged Care Quality Agency Sydney August 2016: presentation and launch of the OPAL Institute by Catherine Barrett. More information here
- Society of Gerontology Conference 2016, Scotland July 2016, presentation by Catherine Barrett on preventing the sexual assault of older women. More information here
- British Society of Gerontology Conference 2016, Scotland July 2016, presentation by Catherine Barrett on LGBTI people's experiences of dementia. More information here
- Meaningful Ageing Seminar, Melbourne July 2016 facilitated by Meaningful Ageing, presentation by Catherine Barrett. More information here
- Better Practice Conference, The Aged Care Quality Agency Melbourne June 2016: presentation and launch of the OPAL Institute by Catherine Barrett. More information here
- Federation on Ageing Conference June 2016 Brisbane: presentations on LGBTI Ageing and Aged Care by Catherine Barrett (Director), Jill Bolen (Exec) and Brian Day (Exec) for more info here
- International Federation on Ageing Conference June 2016 Brisbane: presentation on Sexual Rights of Older People by Catherine Barrett. More info here
- Making LGBTI Inclusion Happen, Perth Seminar June 2016 facilitated by GRAI: presentation on older LGBTI people's experiences and needs. More information here
- Meaningful Ageing Seminar, Melbourne July 2016 facilitated by Meaningful Ageing, presentation by Catherine Barrett. More information here
