Roundtable to improve ageing experience for older CALD Australians
A national roundtable with delegates from the aged care sector, ethnic groups, researchers and policy makers have discussed ways to improve the ageing experience for Australians from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds.
Participants of the roundtable brought their expertise to analyse the gaps and work towards a strategic agenda on advancing research around ageing in CALD communities.
The roundtable, an initiative from the Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA) and the National Ageing Research Institute (NARI), was held at Parliament House in Canberra last week.
FECCA Chairperson Joe Caputo says, “The roundtable provided an opportunity for collaboration between researchers, ethnic communities, the aged care sector, and policy- makers, to improve ageing experience for Australians from CALD backgrounds.”
Key elements that were highlighted during the discussions included the importance of an active and equal partnership in research, as well as to build an understanding of the international aspects and the intersectional nature of CALD ageing and aged care.
NARI Director Briony Dow discussed the importance of including the scientific rigour of research saying, “Research should be a representation of our population, with all research including people from CALD backgrounds. This is not just a social equity issue, but an issue of scientific rigour.”
Participants agreed on conceptualising a strategic research agenda based on the gaps identified by FECCA’s review of Australian Research on Older People from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Backgrounds, and discussion from the roundtable.
They also agreed that given the diversity of Australia’s population, and in particular the diversity of people over the age of 65, issues affecting CALD older people need to be embraced as part of all research and service delivery.
The roundtable heard from Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, The Hon Ken Wyatt MP; the Assistant Minister for Multicultural Affairs, The Hon Craig Laundy MP; the Shadow Minister for Ageing, The Hon Shayne Neumann MP; and the Shadow Minister for Citizenship and Multiculturalism, Ms Michelle Rowland MP.
According to organisers this demonstrates the bipartisan support for positive and healthy ageing for older CALD Australians and culturally appropriate aged care.
