Inclusive and diverse services under new action plan
Resources to help aged care providers, peak organisations and governments deliver inclusive and culturally-safe services will be available under the Federal Government’s new diversity action plan, launched last week.
Aged Care Minister Ken Wyatt launched the Government’s Diversity Framework action plans last week. (Source: Ken Wyatt)
Aged Care Minister Ken Wyatt launched the Aged Care Diversity Framework action plans at Parliament House on Thursday, which have been developed by the Aged Care Sector Committee Diversity Sub-Group in consultation with the sector.
They cover older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, older people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and older lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender diverse, and intersex elders, with the expectation of more plans to come.
The Committee comprises of 10 diverse representatives from organisations including Dementia Australia, The National LGBTI Health Alliance, National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (NACCHO), and the Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia.
Dementia Australia Acting CEO Leanne Emerson says the outcomes of the action plans would provide a guide for assessing current performance, identifying gaps and designing pathways to enable inclusive service provision.
“The intent of the action plans is to support government, aged care providers, consumers, families and carers by focusing on solutions to address barriers affecting each group’s ability to access mainstream aged care services along with respectful and inclusive service provision,” Ms Emerson says.
“People living with dementia account for 52 percent of all residents in aged care facilities. The action plans will provide a series of recommendations which will lead to better outcomes for people of diverse needs and characteristics living with dementia, including more informed choices, accessible care and support, and respectful and inclusive services.
“Making sure that all Australians, no matter their background or life experience, have access to quality aged care is what we’re aiming for.”
The Aged Care Diversity Framework can be found here.
