Policy Paper Calls for Ethnic Specific Aged-care Services
24 April 2014 at 11:20 am
A policy discussion paper, by the Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria, calls on the Federal and State Governments and the aged-care sector to strengthen their engagement with new and emerging communities.
The paper, called Building New Bridges: Strategies for Healthy Ageing in New and Emerging Communities also calls for governments to support the delivery of aged-care services specifically targeted at the older members from these new communities.
The paper says there’s an increase in the number of seniors in Victoria from multicultural communities, and a growing proportion of older people from new and emerging communities in particular who lack access to culturally responsive services.
“These people, from less established multicultural communities, have missed out on ethno- specific aged care support and lack the infrastructure to look after their elderly parents and grandparents,” it says.
ECCV deputy chairperson and Aged Care Policy sub-committee chairperson Marion Lau said the discussion paper would contribute to closing service gaps by providing innovative solutions.
“Building New Bridges is about reaching out, engaging, and partnering with new and emerging communities,” Lau said.
“The three symbolic pillars of such bridges are multicultural communities, government, and aged-care and health services. We believe working closely together is essential in improving access to services for this growing proportion of our Victorian community.
“The number of older people from new and emerging communities is significant. About 100,000 people aged 55 and over belong to new and emerging communities in Victoria.
“ECCV strongly believes that ethno-specific and multicultural aged care and ageing services are the best answer to cater for the preferences of older people from new and emerging communities.”
The ECCV suggests strategies targeted at new and emerging communities, which could include:
• Facilitating the capacity building process of ethno-specific organisations;
• Ensuring that aged care services respond to the cultural preferences and needs of communities;
• Supporting communities in grants applications and management of funds.
