A report launched in Parliament House earlier this week addressed care for the elderly and the vast gaps in information available, namely in culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities.
Released as part of a review conducted by the Australian Population and Migration Research Centre at the University of Adelaide, the report was presented by co-chairs of the Parliamentary Friends of Multiculturalism, federal member for Calwell Maria Vamvakinou and federal member for McMillan Russell Broadbent.
According to Ms Vamvakinou, it was and is very important to provide culturally and linguistically appropriate services for ageing migrant communities.
“Ageing, as we all know, will affect all Australians. As we come to terms with dealing with our growing ageing population and all the complexities that come with that, it is also very important to keep in mind that every elderly Australian has a personal story with a uniquely individual experience,” she said.
Commissioned by FECCA, the report aimed to identify gaps in existing research and cover broad topic areas regarding older people from CALD backgrounds, in particular with dementia and mental health issues; in addition to CALD carers and carers of older people from CALD backgrounds.
The results will assist decision makers, placing them in a better position to make informed decisions about the direction of future research in this area.
The need for a report of this nature was emphasised in the 2011 Australian Census, which found that more than 1.34 million Australians aged over 50 were born overseas in an non-English speaking country, making up more than 20 per cent of all Australians in that age group.
Accompanying the report is a searchable database that includes key findings and a series of report briefs on the specific topics covered in the review, better enabling service providers and policy makers to translate knowledge in culturally appropriate aged care practices.