SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Provide care and support to an elderly person 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
117496  Provide care and support to an elderly person 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Ancillary Health Care 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services Promotive Health and Developmental Services 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 4  NQF Level 04  10 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard will be useful to people who are required to render care to the elderly at home and in care facilities.

People credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the ageing process
  • Promote health and well-being in activities of daily living
  • Provide assistance with the management of chronic health problems
  • Facilitate improved coping strategies for social issues/problems 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    The credit calculation for this unit standard is based on the assumption that learners are already competent in terms of the following outcomes or areas of learning when starting to learn towards this unit standard:
  • Unit standard ID No.113966
  • Knowledge of the community and the ability to communicate effectively with elderly persons within their socio cultural context or relevant work experience
  • Unit standard ID No.9827 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    Overall range of this unit standard is that of general knowledge pertaining to gerontology and geriatrics (caring for the elderly) within the context of the client's everyday environment. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the ageing process. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    The ageing process must consider physical, social, cultural, emotional, psychological and spiritual domains 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The degenerative changes that take place in all body systems of the elderly are described in terms of the cause and effect on the body. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The degenerative processes of ageing are explained in terms of the effects on the body and mind. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Processes include bodily changes, short-term memory impairment and depression
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Strategies for dealing with these processes are described in terms of minimising risks to the safety of the elderly. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Strategies include removal of loose obstacles, provision of assistive devices, sensible clothing and non-slip devices
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Promote health and well-being in activities of daily living. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    The activities must include:
  • Personal hygiene
  • Elimination of body waste including normal and abnormal bowel and urinary function
  • Mobility
  • Active and passive exercises
  • Appropriate good basic food and fluid intake
  • Recreational and creative activities. 
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Activities of daily living are identified and demonstrated that will promote and maintain the well-being of the elderly. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The family or relevant helpers are instructed in appropriate care-giving skills related to the needs of the elderly. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Stimulation and recreational activities planned are suitable to the specific needs of the client. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Stimulation and recreational activities are demonstrated and supervised in accordance with the specific needs of the client. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Provide assistance with the management of chronic health problems. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    The types of problems MUST include common conditions such as:
  • Cardiovascular problems e.g. hypertension/high blood pressure and heart-failure
  • Cerebro-vascular accidents e.g. strokes
  • Respiratory conditions e.g. asthma, bronchitis, emphysema
  • Diabetes mellitus
  • Arthritis, osteoporosis and related disorders
  • Intellectual and functional disabilities
  • Gastro-intestinal conditions
  • Urinary function disorders
  • The administration of medication associated with these conditions. 
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Common chronic health problems of the elderly are described in terms of the symptoms and treatments. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Ways of coping with and managing health problems are explained to the elderly person and family. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Methods of dealing with chronic diseases and conditions are demonstrated to the family and client. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Facilitate improved coping strategies for social issues/problems. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    The type of problems encountered include but are not limited to:
  • Physical, emotional, psychological, sexual and financial abuse.
  • Physical and medical neglect
  • Care of vulnerable dependents and orphans
  • Care of sick and dying family members
  • Death and bereavement 
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Various types of elder abuse are identified and described in terms of the effect on the client and the family relationship. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The sick, dying and bereaved elderly are counselled in accordance with recognised counselling techniques. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Information on support systems and coping mechanisms is explained to the client in accordance with their specific requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Methods of accessing appropriate social assistance are explained in terms of referrals and client support. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Social problems are identified and actions taken minimise the effect of the problem on the client. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Elder abuse is identified and reported to relevant people in accordance with the client's situation. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
    1. Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA
    2. Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider by relevant ETQA
    3. Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the ETQA according to the moderation guidelines in the relevant qualification and the agreed ETQA procedures 

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    Essential embedded knowledge will be assessed through assessment of the specific outcomes in terms of the stipulated assessment criteria. Candidates are unlikely to achieve all the specific outcomes, to the standards described in the assessment criteria, without knowledge of the listed embedded knowledge. This means that for the most part, the possession or lack of the knowledge can be directly inferred from the quality of the candidate's performance. Where direct assessment of knowledge is required, assessment criteria have been included in the body of the unit standard. 

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Anticipate and solve problems encountered by the elderly.
    Assesment criteria statement:
  • The degenerative changes that take place in all body systems of the elderly are described in terms of the cause and effect on the body.
  • The degenerative processes of ageing are explained in terms of the effects on the body and mind.
    Range: processes include bodily changes, short-term memory impairment and depression.
  • Strategies for dealing with these processes are described in terms of minimising risks to the safety of the elderly.
    Range: strategies include removal of loose obstacles, provision of assistive devices, sensible clothing and non-slip devices.
  • Common chronic health problems of the elderly are described in terms of the symptoms and treatments.
  • Ways of coping with and managing health problems are explained to the elderly person and family.
  • Methods of dealing with chronic diseases and conditions are demonstrated to the family and client. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work with others as a member of a multidisciplinary team in a community or institutional context.
    Assesment criteria statement:
  • Methods of dealing with chronic diseases and conditions are demonstrated to the family and client.
  • Methods of accessing appropriate social assistance are explained in terms of referrals and client support. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, organise and evaluate information and resources.
    Assesment criteria statement:
  • Information on support systems and coping mechanisms is explained to the client in accordance with their specific requirements. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Appropriate communication and advocacy skills.
    Assesment criteria statement:
  • Various types of elder abuse are identified and described in terms of the effect on the client and the family relationship.
  • The sick, dying and bereaved elderly are counselled in accordance with recognised counselling techniques.
  • Information on support systems and coping mechanisms is explained to the client in accordance with their specific requirements.
  • Methods of accessing appropriate social assistance are explained in terms of referrals and client support.

    Communicate effectively with the elderly person, the family, social group, health team and community in order to facilitate improved geriatric care and support.
    Assesment criteria statement:
  • Activities of daily living are identified and demonstrated that will promote and maintain the well-being of the elderly.
  • The family or relevant helpers are instructed in appropriate care-giving skills related to the needs of the elderly.
  • Stimulation and recreational activities planned are suitable to the specific needs of the client.
  • Various types of elder abuse are identified and described in terms of the effect on the client and the family relationship.
  • The sick, dying and bereaved elderly are counselled in accordance with recognised counselling techniques. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically.
    Assesment criteria statement:
  • Common chronic health problems of the elderly are described in terms of the symptoms and treatments.
  • Ways of coping with and managing health problems are explained to the elderly person and family.
  • Methods of dealing with chronic diseases and conditions are demonstrated to the family and client. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems with regard to the different health, social and community structures.
    Assesment criteria statement:
  • Methods of accessing appropriate social assistance are explained in terms of referrals and client support. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    Supplementary information:

    Specified requirements
    1. Draft Bill on Older Persons

    2. Legal: Rights of the elderly with regard to:
  • Wills/estate, deaths, funerals
  • Elder abuse

    3. Social support: - Accessing of grants and other assistance

    4. Site specific
  • Homes and communities
  • Day care centres
  • Residential facilities
  • Frail care facilities

    Unit standards justification

    Total hours required by the learner to achieve the required outcomes:

    Activity-Hours
    Classroom learning-40
    On-the-job learning-40
    Self directed learning-10
    Coaching required-10
    Other -
    Total-100

    Credits achieved: 10 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  49128   National Certificate: Community Health Work  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2009-04-08  Was HW SETA until Last Date for Achievement 
    Elective  64697   Further Education and Training Certificate: Community Health Work  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  HW SETA 
    Elective  49131   Further Education and Training Certificate: Community Health Work  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2009-02-18  Was HW SETA until Last Date for Achievement 
    Elective  61451   Further Education and Training Certificate: Criminology  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  SAS SETA 
    Elective  80946   National Certificate: Community Development  Level 5  NQF Level 05  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  As per Learning Programmes recorded against this Qual 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.