• Diversity in Aged Care

    Diversity in Aged Care

    Diversity is a hallmark of humanity.

    From 7 – 11 October 2019, the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety held public hearings in Melbourne on the aged care needs of people who have diverse backgrounds, experiences and characteristics.

    “This hearing of the Royal Commission will focus on the diverse experiences and needs of people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, LGBTI people, people who have survived forced removal from their parents (including Forgotten Australians, child migrants and the Stolen Generations), Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, and our Defence Force veterans.

    “An individual may belong to more than one of these groups, and there are many other circumstances that can give rise to these needs.” – https://agedcare.royalcommission.gov.au

    Resthaven Manager Service Development, Lynn Openshaw, says, ‘This week is an important one for considering the complex needs of diverse Australians, including rural and remote and individuals with social and financial disadvantage.’

    ‘In February 2019, the Australian Government released the Guide for Aged Care Providers: Actions to support Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Gender Diverse, and Intersex (LGBTI) elders. This Action Plan is a resource to assist aged care service providers to better understand how they can advocate for and support LGBTI elders and older people.

    ‘LGBTI older people and elders are likely to have experienced violence, stigma and discrimination throughout their lives. As a result, they may be reluctant to disclose their identities or histories to aged care services. They may remain isolated or invisible within both the sector and the broader community. This results in a lack of awareness of the unique needs of LGBTI elders and older people.

    ‘Resthaven recently invited people who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Gender Diverse or Intersex to a community focus group, to discuss aged care choices and service needs of older LGBTI people. This consultation is part of work we are undertaking to increase our knowledge and awareness, and to support service planning and development.

    ‘Resthaven is also consulting with LGBTI customers, staff and with other aged care organisations who have experience working with LGBTI elders.

    ‘The consultation with LGBTI older people has provided insight into the positive impact of inclusive services on their daily lives, but also the hesitation that some older LGBTI people have in seeking out support as they age, due to their lived experiences.

    ‘General themes that emerged from the focus group included: feeling safe and represented; Elder Pride (what it is, why it’s important); visibility of organisations in terms of LGBTI events; use of inclusive images and terminology; and for workers to have an understanding about LGBTI older people’s lived experiences.

    ‘As a preliminary response, we have arranged several sessions of the Silver Rainbow LGBTI Aged Care Awareness training in October and November, 2019 for Resthaven staff, and plan to participate in Feast during November. Feast is Adelaide’s only not-for-profit LGBTI Queer Arts and Cultural Festival that celebrates Pride and Diversity.

    ‘We are very proud that some of our customers have felt comfortable and safe to discuss their sexual orientation and gender diversity.

    ‘Our intention is to enhance our insights to improve our inclusivity and care, recognising the diversity of each individual that we work with. This is consistent with Resthaven’s Diversity Action Plan.

    We hope that further promotion to all our customers of the work we are doing, will empower more of our customers to identify any support needs that they may have.’