Elderly Greeks will reap the benefits of the Government’s new National Ageing and Aged Care Strategy this year.
The “Living Longer Living Better” reform package will give $3.7 billion in funds to help cater to the specific needs of migrant elderly.
Minister for Health and Ageing, Mark Butler, says the number of ethnic elderly Australians is ever-increasing and more is needed to address their needs.
“Around 20 per cent of people aged over 65 years were born outside Australia and by 2021 that number will rise to 30 per cent,” Mr Butler said.
“Older people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds often have different cultural, linguistic and spiritual needs which can affect the type of care and services they want and need.”
The effects of dementia on the elderly of ethnic backgrounds can also lead to forgetting language skills, which the aged care provider must address.
“In many cases, the onset of dementia causes older people from CALD backgrounds to lose their English language skills and revert to their first language. Clearly, that is a unique challenge for the person affected, for families and for the aged care provider,” Mr Butler said.
Initiatives outlined in the strategy include:
– Develop structured pathways to facilitate the employment of appropriate bilingual staff in the aged care system.
– A ‘rolling review’ of the National Aged Care Advocacy Program (NACAP) to include an emphasis on promoting, supporting and maximising access to advocacy for older people from CALD backgrounds, their families and carers.
– Ensure that the Aged Care Complaints Scheme is promoted to CALD communities, including by use of interpreting and translating services.
– Work with the CALD sector to provide cultural competency training for promotion and incorporation into all aged care services.
Mr Butler said the Strategy would be an important framework in the delivery of the Living Longer Living Better aged care reform package.
The Strategy is available at http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/ageing-cal…