Your course to make change

Free Online Course:
Caring for the Elderly - Level 2 Certificate

Understand the principles of elderly care

The qualification is suitable for a wide range of learners who wish to develop their knowledge and understanding of caring for the elderly.

UK Government funded online course. Qualification accredited by NCFE CACHE

Free Online Course

Fully-funded by HM Government

100% Online

Learn from your home or office

Expert Support

Expert tutor support available

6 Week Course

4-5 hours of weekly study

About Caring for the Elderly

People in the UK now have an average life expectancy of 72 years. The population aged 65 years and over is growing faster than the working age population aged 16 to 64 years; but not everyone remains healthy throughout their longer lives.

This is something you will look at in more detail during this course when learning what types of care an elderly person may need currently and at the end of their life. Throughout this qualification, learners will develop their knowledge and understanding of working in elderly care. This course includes information on the principles of elderly care, health issues affecting the elderly, individual rights, and communication.

The free online course is designed for those who wish to understand the principles of elderly care, learn more about common health issues and legislation that relates to elderly care. All units are compulsory.

Is it really free?

Simple answer – if you meet the eligibility criteria below, then, yes! No fee, no card details and no trial periods…

We connect you with training providers that use the UK Government’s Adult Education Budget to fund the free online courses.

Eligibility Criteria

*EEA nationals will need to have obtained either pre settlement or settled status and provide evidence of this.

Receive an accredited NCFE CACHE or TQUK certificate

The certificate is a record of achievement and your reward for completing a nationally recognised qualification.

NCFE CACHE and TQUK are both fully-approved as awarding organisations by Ofqual
Demonstrate to employers that you have gained a recognised and regulated qualification in your chosen subject
Last year alone, over a quarter of a million learners chose to learn via NCFE CACHE
Build the foundations to improve your job prospects

The free online course is split into manageable units

The Caring for the Elderly course is split up into six units. Each unit is then split into smaller sections.

Principles of elderly care in the UK (9 questions)

Section 1: Understand the context of elderly care in the UK (4 questions)
Section 2: Understand the range of care available (3 questions)
Section 3: Understand regulation by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) (2 questions).

Unit 1 Summary: In this unit, learners will learn what caring for elderly is, about ageing populations and the range of care available. This unit also covers the role of the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Maintaining health and well-being in elderly care (12 questions)

Section 1: Understand individuality and independence (4 questions)
Section 2: Understand the importance of service users maintain contact with and support from friends and family (1 question)
Section 3: Understand how to maintain health and well-being of the elderly in care (8 questions).

Unit 2 Summary: In this unit, learners will discover the role that individuality and independence has in elderly care, how importance contact is between family/ friends and service users, and how maintaining health and well-being is key for care workers.

Common health issues affecting individuals in elderly care (27 questions)

Section 1: Understand how to deal with health issues in elderly care (2 questions)
Section 2: Understand the impact of dementia (6 questions)
Section 3: Understand urinary tract health issues (3 questions)
Section 4: Understand pneumonia (3 questions)
Section 5: Understand wounds and healing (4 questions)
Section 6: Understand depression (3 questions)
Section 7: Understand arthritis (3 questions)
Section 8: Understand end of life care (3 questions).

Unit 3 Summary: This unit will cover the signs, symptoms and how to support service users with dementia, urinary tract health issues, pneumonia, wounds and healing, depression and arthritis. The section will also cover end of life care.

Individual rights in elderly care (19 questions)

Section 1: Understand how to safeguard and protect vulnerable adults in elderly care settings (3 questions)
Section 2: Understand how to recognise that a vulnerable adult has been abused (3 questions)
Section 3: Understand how to respond to evidence or concerns that vulnerable adult has been abused (4 questions)
Section 4: Understand equality and diversity in a care setting (4 questions)
Section 5: Understand legislation affecting service user’s rights in a care setting (5 questions).

Unit 4 Summary: In this unit, learners will learn about safeguarding and protecting vulnerable adults, recognising abuse and responding to abuse, equality and diversity, and the legislation in place.

Minimising risk in elderly care (23 questions)

Section 1: Understand the importance of risk assessment in elderly care settings (3 questions)
Section 2: Understand manual handling in elderly care settings (2 questions)
Section 3: Understand risks form hazardous substances in elderly care settings (4 questions)
Section 4: Understand the risk of infection in elderly care settings (5 questions)
Section 5: Understand how to deal with accidents in elderly care settings (5 questions)
Section 6: Understand the safe administration of medicines in elderly care settings (5 questions).

Unit 5 Summary: In this unit, learners will learn about the risk assessments, manual handling, hazardous substances, risk of infections, dealing with incidents and safe administration of medicines.

Communication in elderly care (9 questions)

Section 1: Understand the importance of communication in elderly care settings (3 questions)
Section 2: Understand how to communicate with a client moving into a care home and their family (3 questions)
Section 3: Understand the skills required to work in elderly care settings (3 questions).

Unit 6 Summary: In this final unit, learners will learn about communication within elderly care settings, moving into a care home and the skills that are required for care workers.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can’t find the answer to your question?

Call us on 0800 001 5910, jump on live chat or email us

Is the course definitely free?

If you meet the eligibility criteria then YES!

We connect you with learning providers that use government funding, in the form of the Education & Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) and the Adult Educational Budget (AEB).

When can I start the free online course?

We hope to get you started within 24 hours of completing the full enrolment process but this can vary depending on the learning provider.

How long will the free online course take?

The courses are designed to allow learners to fit their learning around their employment obligations and can be completed in a number of weeks or months, depending on the level. Our shorter courses are often completed within 3 weeks, whilst our longer lasting courses can take up to 3 months.

Is it all online?

Yes! All of our free courses are 100% online.

Is the qualification recognised by employers?

All of our courses are accredited by UK government-recognised awarding bodies. These include NCFE CACHE and TQUK, with whom we work closely to ensure our existing courses, and all new ones, meet approved standards of excellence and are certified as such. NCFE CACHE and TQUK are national awarding organisations that design, develops and certifies nationally recognised qualifications and awards.

All qualifications are regulated by Ofqual and are the perfect way to boost any CV.

How many free online courses can I take?

You can only take one course at a time but you can take up to 7 in one academic year.

Do I need to sit an Exam?

No, there are no exams, all courses require you to complete assessment questions based on the knowledge you have just gained from the units.

Why am I required to upload such personal information?

The courses we offer are all funded qualifications, meaning you need to be eligible for government funding in order to secure your a place. This information is a funding requirement and proves your eligibility.