The Department of Health has released a new action plan for aged care among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people — the first of its kind in Australia.
The Department said its Aged Care Diversity Action Plan for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People recognised the special needs of First Australians aged 50 years and over.
Minister for Indigenous Health, Ken Wyatt welcomed the plan saying there were more than 100,000 senior First Australians with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population estimated to grow by 59 per cent between 2011 and 2031.
He said however that in the same period, the population of First Australians aged 65 and over was projected to grow by 200 per cent.
“Our Elders deserve care and support which takes into consideration their individual needs, life experience and cultures that date back 65,000 years,” Mr Wyatt said.
“This plan is a guide which sets out the steps for families and aged care recipients, and for providers, to meet the needs of First Australians in both residential and home care situations.”
He said the plan was based on six outcomes: Making informed choices; Systemic planning; Accessible care and support; Proactive and flexible care; Respectful and inclusive services; and Meeting the needs of the most vulnerable.
He said the plan could assist providers of aged care services to identify what they could do to deliver more inclusive and culturally appropriate services to Indigenous Elders.
“It will help providers to develop specific resources and materials to help build cultural competency and cultural safety in their organisation,” Mr Wyatt said.
The new action plan can be accessed at this PS News link.
