The Aged Care Diversity Framework

The Aged Care Diversity Framework aims to support aged care services to ensure older Australians are receiving services that suit their individual needs. It reflects the diverse life experiences of people in Australia, and was developed after consultation with older Australians, service providers, peak bodies and the aged care sector.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are a diverse group, with hundreds of nations and clans that all speak different languages. They are also a unique nation with a wide range of cultural practices and beliefs that can differ from one to another.

They are recognised as Indigenous Australians (First Australians) in the Constitution of Australia, but it is important to remember that these terms are not chosen by First Australians, but are imposed on them without consultation. Using these terms can be offensive to some Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians, and can be confusing to non-Indigenous Australians who are not aware of their culture.

It is best to refer to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ‘histories, perspectives, ways of being and contributions’, as these are words that can be used respectfully by both non-Indigenous and Indigenous Australians. It is also generally acceptable to use the term ‘First Nations Australians’ or ‘First Peoples’, but always pluralise them, as they are a way of acknowledging that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and identities are very diverse.

For example, some Indigenous Australians prefer to be referred to by the name of their home Island or village, rather than by a generic ‘Aboriginal’ or ‘Torres Strait Islander’ identity. Those who identify by their island names have a very strong connection to their home place, and can feel a great sense of pride and kinship with their Island communities.

Many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities have their own language and cultural traditions, which are often reflected in the art they create. The colours and styles vary greatly from one group to another, with different messages and symbols being expressed in the art.

As a result, Indigenous artwork is among the most ancient forms of art in the world and has been used as a means to preserve and pass on stories and history. It is also a powerful symbol of connection and strength.

In aged care, it is also important to recognise the unique experiences and needs of older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals. This is so they can receive respectful, appropriate, fair and inclusive, culturally safe and trauma-informed care that promotes their wellbeing in the final phase of life.
Culturally and linguistically diverse peoples

The aged care diversity framework aims to support older people from diverse backgrounds to access services and supports that are appropriate for their age, needs, values and lifestyle. It is a key part of ensuring that everyone can receive the best possible care for their unique needs and wants, in line with the Aged Care Quality Standards.

The framework recognises that the ageing population is a culturally and linguistically diverse group and that this diversity is an integral component of aged care services. It sets out actions for all aged care providers to take to support the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, senior Australians and those from a culturally and linguistically diverse background. It also includes action plans for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and gender diverse and intersex (LGBTI) elders.

A multi-method approach was used to develop the model including a literature review, organisation-wide consultation using a questionnaire and focus groups and interviews with internal staff and external community aged care service providers. It was developed to assist the aged care sector in identifying the characteristics of diversity that may be creating benefits or disadvantages for consumers, and to consider greater equity in policy design and practice.

As the aged care sector grows, the number of people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds increases. Often, there are challenges for CALD adults in accessing and engaging with services and supports. These include individual, cultural, structural and service related barriers.

Some of these barriers include a lack of understanding of the aged care system, a belief that they should be treated as any other person, and limited skills in their language, literacy and numeracy. This is a significant concern for all service providers as the number of CALD adults in aged care is expected to increase rapidly in the future.

To ensure that all consumers can access services and supports in a culturally safe manner, the aged care sector must be aware of their own beliefs, practices and customs and be open to new approaches to care. This is particularly important as there are many differences between the needs of people from different cultures and languages.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender peoples

A growing number of older people are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBTI). The aged care sector is a key service provider for many of these individuals. However, the needs of this group are often overlooked, particularly in terms of healthcare services. This may lead to increased isolation, health risks and poorer outcomes for these individuals.

In Australia, there are estimated to be around 1 in 10 senior Australians who identify as lesbian, gay or bisexual. In the aged care sector, this represents an opportunity to provide a better service for older LGBTI people, but it is also important to understand the specific challenges they face.

To improve the healthcare system for LGBTQI people, it is crucial to provide a safe and inclusive environment where all members of the aged care community can feel comfortable. It is also important to ensure that the people providing services can provide the correct support and guidance.

The Australian Government’s Department of Human Services released the Aged care diversity framework in December 2017. This is an important tool to address specific barriers that older LGBTI people may face in accessing healthcare.

Specifically, it provides action plans for older LGBTI people to help them access quality health care. It also includes resources for providers to help them be more sensitive to the needs of this group.

These resources include a government action plan, a shared action plan and a guide for consumers to help them be more aware of their rights and preferences. The framework was developed by the diversity sub-group of the Aged Care Sector Committee and consulted with older Australians, the general public and providers.

In addition to these resources, the Aged Care Sector Committee is developing an online resource that will help aged care clients and residents share their preferences with providers and ensure they are treated respectfully. The resource also contains a video that provides an overview of how the experiences of older LGBTI people can impact on their access to services.
People with disability

People with disability have a significant and growing impact on the aged care sector. They represent a group of consumers who have unique healthcare needs, as well as a variety of cultural, linguistic, religious, spiritual, psychological, medical and care needs and life experiences.

These diverse groups of consumers have a range of needs that need to be addressed when designing and delivering aged care services (Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, ACQSC, 2019). It is important to recognise the diversity of these peoples’ social, cultural, linguistic, religious, spiritual, medical and care needs and life experiences in order to provide appropriate care and ensure their dignity and rights are respected.

To address these needs, the Aged Care Diversity Framework was developed in 2017. The Framework was endorsed by the Commonwealth of Australia 2020 and the Australian Government Department of Health. It is a high-level document that provides guidance to service providers, consumers, governments and peak bodies on how to adequately address the specific needs of all people with diverse characteristics and life experiences.

The diversity framework is a good starting point for addressing the needs of people with disability. It is based on evidence from the WHO, the special needs group identification in the Aged Care Act 1997, a human rights approach to ageing and health, and the work of the National Ageing Research Institute.

One of the major challenges for people with disability is accessing aged care services and being able to continue living independently at home. This is a complex issue as many people with disability are poor or have low incomes, which limits their ability to afford aged care. This makes it difficult to obtain the required support from their families and social networks, particularly when they are ill or disabled スキンケア アンチエイジング

Despite these barriers, some people with disability can have high levels of self-esteem and resilience. This may be related to the positive effects of the disability on their social lives and their ability to adapt to changing circumstances. They may also be a strong advocate for themselves and the rights of others.