The recent Culturally Appropriate Care Forum – hosted by the Centre for Cultural Diversity in Ageing and the Multicultural Communities Council of Victoria – offered me a wonderful opportunity to listen and learn.
This online forum brought together hundreds of people from across the country to advocate for a more inclusive aged care system, and featured presentations and panel discussions on the Specialisation Verification Framework, policy advocacy, trauma-informed care and culturally and linguistically diverse consumer voices.
Whenever I hear about the incredible breadth and depth of work that goes on in our sector – whether it is in research, policy or practice – I come away with a mix of pride, motivation and, yes, trepidation. We have a lot on our plates.
This issue of AAA features workforce management, building improvements and medication management. While all three topics are critical, they represent a drop in the ocean of priority action areas. We can’t all be subject matter experts, but we can make a real difference through our individual and collaborative efforts.
One small way to make a big difference in the world is to listen. Another is to learn. Learning is what makes us grow. Between listening and learning, we should keep an open mind to opinions and voices different to our own, and learn to filter out ‘noise’ that is neither accurate nor well-meaning.
Success depends on meaningful consultation and effective co-design
A positive example of facilitating change is AAG’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ageing Advisory Group (ATSIAAG). In consultation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander aged care providers, recipients and stakeholders, we advocate on behalf of a bespoke Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-specific aged care pathway.
We have responded to the Aged Care Act 2023 Exposure Draft with a recommendation for a distinct pathway and prioritisation of these services as the best option for ensuring that Elders and older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are cared for in a way that is culturally safe and responsive to their unique, diverse and dynamic needs.
The significant scale and pace of the current reforms represent a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reset and reshape Australia’s aged care system. Success depends on meaningful consultation and effective co-design, and solution-focused collaboration across the sector – listening and learning.
It is crucial that aged care service users and other lived experience groups are central to this process.
Dr Claudia Meyer is president of the Australian Association of Gerontology
More stakeholder views from this edition
Now is the time to save aged care for the future by Tom Symondson
Gender pay gap a stubborn reminder of entrenched inequality by Patricia Sparrow
Why does hearing health in aged care keep falling on deaf ears? by Leanne Emmerson
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