Dress Code for Aged Care Workers

As a care worker in an aged care home, you are an incredibly valuable member of our society. We cannot overstate the importance of the care services you provide to one of our most vulnerable populations. In aged care facilities across Australia, team members are generally expected to adhere to a specific dress code policy as well as a strict code of conduct, and that is to prioritize the health and safety of both patients and staff.

Typically, Australian care workers in residential care wear medical scrubs as a uniform. Scrubs are considered the gold standard in workwear for health professionals because they give off a professional image, contribute to infection control, and are effective protective clothing for patient care. After nearly two decades in the business, we know the ins and outs of medical practice dress codes, and we’ve got a few tips to share with aged care workers.

Dress Code Standards for Aged Care Workers

If you are a staff member in an aged care facility, you know that the dress code standards in your field are slightly different to other areas in healthcare. That’s because special attention is paid to the needs of elderly patients. Everything from the colour of your nursing scrubs to the softness of the material matters when treating this population.

Whether you work for a health service providing in-home care to patients or in a facility providing residential treatment, your adherence to the dress code standards will be met with gratitude from your patients and employer.

Dress Code Essentials

There are a few essential items you will need as a carer in any aged care facility. It’s about more than just what you wear, too — you should also consider how your personal care impacts your image at work. For example, if you have facial hair, it’s a good idea to keep it neatly trimmed and covered while treating patients.

You will be expected to wear scrubs and high-quality, non-slip nursing shoes at a minimum. You also might want (or be required) to wear a lab coat. Many aged care workers like to have a fob watch for work to help them with tasks like keeping time and checking patients’ vital signs.

Tips for Choosing Aged Care Uniforms

Many factors should be considered when deciding on the right uniform for your job. As an aged care worker, the patient’s comfort is as important as yours when it comes to your scrubs. To help you choose the right scrubs, consider the following tips.

The Impact of Scrub Colours

Did you know that the colour of your scrubs can have an impact on patients in aged care homes? In fact, patients of any age can be affected by the colour of a professional’s clothing. But studies have shown that patients with dementia are specifically impacted by certain colours, and wearing the right hues can have a positive effect on your patients.

Blue scrubs are a favourite in aged care homes because the colour is considered calming for patients with dementia. Green is another good choice because it is one of the easiest colours for patients to perceive as they age.

Fabric Choice for Patient Comfort

In aged care facilities, you may spend more time in physical contact with your patient than carers in other specialties. For this reason, we recommend that you deliberate scrub fabrics with your patients in mind.

Fabrics like cotton and polyester offer breathability and are usually very soft to the touch, making these ideal options for working closely with patients. You should stay away from materials that feel scratchy or rough, as they can be very uncomfortable when they come into contact with a patient’s skin.

Ease of Movement

Since there are many physical demands of your job, you should consider how easily you’ll be able to move in your scrubs. Can you kneel, squat, lean, and bend comfortably? If not, you may want to re-evaluate and look at fabrics with more give.

Stretchy scrubs are excellent for this. Made from flexible fabrics like spandex, they offer extended range of motion for professionals who need to be able to move freely. Loosely fitting, lightweight scrubs also work great for this purpose.

Thermal Comfort

Depending on the environment, you may run hot or cold throughout the day. Luckily, you have options for uniforms that can help you keep your temperature regulated. Cotton scrubs are always popular for several reasons, and the fact that they’re airy and breathable definitely helps. Some scrubs have moisture-wicking features that can help keep you cool on extra sweaty days.

When you’re cold, we recommend layering with underscrubs, which will allow you to stay warm while still following the stated dress code. Layers are a great way to stay comfortable without making major changes to your uniform.

Conclusion

Most of the aged care workers we’ve worked with appreciate having comprehensive dress codes to follow that make preparing for shifts a breeze. The flexibility that exists within those codes comes with a responsibility to make decisions that benefit your patients as well as yourself, so we hope these tips have helped you narrow down your choices.

Ultimately, we advise choosing fabrics that feel the most breathable, soft, and comfortable to you. That will very likely ensure that your patients are comfortable as well. Prioritizing calming colours, like light blue and green, is a great way to show your patients that you care. Following these recommendations will help improve your experience working in aged care homes and will guarantee that your patients feel relaxed in your presence.