Course Overview

Introduction

In long-term care environments, it is possible for two staff members to complete the same task correctly — and create very different experiences for the person receiving care.

One interaction may feel rushed and procedural.

 Another may feel collaborative and respectful.

Often the difference lies in how we see the person in front of us.

In busy care settings it is easy to begin seeing people mainly through what they have lost — memory, mobility, or independence.

Yet even when abilities change, many people still retain fragments of ability: the ability to choose, participate, and remain involved in everyday life.

This course introduces the Ability Lens — a way of applying strengths-based thinking in daily care so that routines become opportunities for participation, not only assistance.

Because even when support increases, people can still remain part of their own lives.


What This Course Explores

This course introduces strengths-based thinking as it applies to everyday care interactions.

Participants will explore:

  • How care environments can unintentionally focus on deficits rather than remaining abilities
  • Why participation often disappears in busy routines
  • How everyday care tasks can become shared activities rather than one-sided assistance
  • How small shifts in approach can help people remain involved in daily life
  • How teams and supervisors can support environments where abilities remain visible


Who This Course Is For

This course is designed for people working across care environments, including:

  • Personal Support Workers and care aides
  • Nurses and direct care staff
  • Recreation and engagement teams
  • Supervisors and managers
  • Educators and practice leaders

It is particularly valuable for teams who want to strengthen person-centred care by ensuring that residents remain active participants in everyday life.


What Participants Will Gain

By the end of this course, participants will:

  • Understand how deficit-focused thinking can unintentionally shape daily care
  • Recognise the small fragments of ability that often remain even as independence changes
  • Learn to notice opportunities for participation within everyday care routines
  • Strengthen their ability to support care that happens with people, not only for them


Format

  • 30–45 minute on-demand course
  • Plain text learning modules
  • Opening and closing audio reflections by Daphne Noonan, Co-Founder of Person Centred Universe
  • Suitable for individual learning or team reflection


Course curriculum

    1. Welcome

    1. Noticing change.

    2. Organising around loss.

    3. Deficit thinking.

    4. Abilities less visible.

    5. Happens slowly.

    6. How we see the person in front of us.

    1. Recognising what remains.

    2. Recognising what matters.

    3. Parts of everyday abilities.

    4. What is possible.

    5. With someone.

    6. Before We Continue

    1. Where perspective matters.

    2. In the moment of care.

    3. Fragments of ability remain.

    4. Participation remains.

    5. Participation matters.

    6. Leaving space for abilities.

    7. Small differences.

    8. Before We Continue

    1. How care is organised.

    2. Pace.

    3. Division of tasks.

    4. Focus on risk.

    5. Abilities fluctuate.

    6. Assumptions.

    7. Considerations.

    8. Space for participation.

    9. Before We Continue

    1. The elements that shape.

    2. Space to take part.

    3. Natural feeling of daily life.

    4. Participation in ordinary moments.

    5. Support and participation can together.

    6. When participation is expected.

    7. Before We Continue

About this course

  • $79.00
  • 30–45 minute on-demand course
  • Plain text learning modules
  • Opening and closing audio reflections by Daphne Noonan, Co-Founder of Person Centred Universe

Help your team shift from task‑driven routines to strengths‑based, person‑centred care.

Click here to purchase the course!