Visits planned for 30 Aboriginal flexible aged care services

The Commonwealth Government will begin conducting national site visits at all 30 flexible Aboriginal aged care services across Australia, ahead of a building and maintenance plan, which is due to be rolled out next year.

The Government will provide an additional $500,000 to distribute fire protection devices to the remote, special service facilities.

The measures are part of the Government’s $46 million Indigenous Aged Care Plan, which was announced following a coronial report into the death of a resident at the remote Docker River community in the Northern Territory.

The initiative will also introduce a set of unique standards for flexible Aboriginal residential services in remote communities.

“This plan is about providing proper care for older Indigenous people, while still being respectful to their cultural needs,” said the Minister for Ageing, Justine Elliot, and Shadow Minister for Ageing, Margaret May, in a joint statement following their visit to the NT.

“We will continue to consult with and take the advice of Indigenous communities and the Indigenous aged care sector.”